Published 23 October 2024

8 min read

The alcohol industry is artfully employing aspirational branding and packaging to elevate drinking occasions, reach a wider remit of consumers, and create memorability. Colour and pattern are used liberally and exuberantly, while imagination-bending sculptural treatments deliver dramatic elegance. Alongside this visual and tactile feast, brands are anchoring their packaging solutions to sustainability frameworks.

Appealing to Gen Z Drinkers

Designed for Celebration

Aspirational Artistry

Planet-Positive Alignment

Highly responsive to emotive and Instagrammable graphics and colours, Gen Zers prioritise product positioning as much as taste. Wine brands are particularly keen to appeal to this cohort with approachable and contemporary varietals that also look fantastic. For more on young adults’ drinking preferences, see Gen Z + Alcohol Trends: 24/25

Highly responsive to emotive and Instagrammable graphics and colours, Gen Zers prioritise product positioning as much as taste. Wine brands are particularly keen to appeal to this cohort with approachable and contemporary varietals that also look fantastic. For more on young adults’ drinking preferences, see Gen Z + Alcohol Trends: 24/25

Summary

Appealing to Gen Z Drinkers

Highly responsive to emotive and Instagrammable graphics and colours, Gen Zers prioritise product positioning as much as taste. Wine brands are particularly keen to appeal to this cohort with approachable and contemporary varietals that also look fantastic. For more on young adults’ drinking preferences, see Gen Z + Alcohol Trends: 24/25

Designed for Celebration

Echoing Tastes of Sunshine in Alcohol Packaging Trends: 24/25, sunny, happy and optimistic design cues continue to proliferate across alcohol packaging as brands endeavour to win the custom of contemporary revellers. While trippy 1960s/70s-style graphics communicate light-hearted fun, the at-home drinking occasion inspires convenient, celebration-worthy formats.

Aspirational Artistry

Following on from our Sculptural Sumptuousness theme in Alcohol Packaging Trends: 24/25, brands continue to experiment with sensual and sculptural formats to push their products into the premium echelons. Tactile bottle closures and claddings and opportunities for personalisation turn packaging into works of art.

Planet-Positive Alignment

Alcohol brands are making significant strides when it comes to reducing their environmental impact through lightweight and sustainable packaging solutions. Paper-based vessels are put through their paces on-trade to supercharge the adoption of eco-aligned packaging solutions.

Alcohol Packaging Trends: 25/26

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