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While many people reach for a glass of wine or a beer after a stressful day at work, Gen Z have a different vice – tea.
According to a new survey, this generation is shunning alcohol in favour of cuppas.
Conducted by Twinings, the survey found that almost half (47 per cent) of Gen Z say tea has replaced alcohol as the thing they reach for before big moments.
In contrast, just 25 per cent of Baby Boomers say the same thing.
'I always have a cup of tea before a night out,' said Isabella, a 25–year–old videographer.
'It helps me get into the right mindset before going out with friends, or even before a date.
'I get a boost from a cup of tea, and still feel clear–headed.
'So I guess you could say it’s my own version of Dutch courage!'
While many of people reach for a glass of wine or a beer after a stressful day at work, Gen Z have a different vice – tea
For the survey, Twinings quizzed respondents about their tea–drinking habits.
The results revealed how drinking tea – or even just preparing it – is calming for young Brits.
Nearly a third (32 per cent) described the tea–making process as calming, while one in four said they see it as a form of self–care.
Meanwhile, more than a fifth (21 per cent) said they enjoy that making a cuppa gives them a chance to take a break away from screens.
'Gen Z have always found their own way to do things, and this research shows that extends to how they prepare for the multitude of moments they are juggling in their busy lives,' said Gill Close, Marketing Director, Twinings UK & Ireland.
'It's part of a broader cultural shift we've seen at Twinings, with younger consumers coming into tea in a way the category hasn't seen in some years.
'Tea isn't just a drink for them – it's a ritual, a reset, and a moment of control before whatever comes next.'
The news will come as no surprise to many youngsters, who often take to social media to discuss their preference for tea over alcohol.
On TikTok, @gracebooth97 shared a video of her creating a 'tea flight', commenting: 'For my dessert tonight, I am going to be doing a tea flight.
'I don't like drinking alcohol, and whenever I go to restaurants and they have one of those wine flights, I always get so vexed. What about us people that don't like alcohol, eh?'
@katygibbss added: 'why drink alcohol when tea exists?!?!'
And @urbangaia said: 'Choosing tea over alcohol doesn't make you boring – it makes you powerful.'
The news comes shortly after a survey revealed that Gen Z are scared of ringing the doorbell.
Research from Uswitch.com found that a third of youngsters would rather text or call when they arrive, instead of ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door.
'We spent years making doorbells smarter – fitting cameras, Wi–Fi, two–way speakers – only to stop pressing them altogether,' said Uswitch technology expert Simrat Sharma.
'For younger people, especially, ringing the doorbell has gone from the default to an unusual choice.'