Gen Z’s Drinking Habits Challenge Assumptions: The Rise of Sugary Canned Cocktails

A viral TikTok video captures a grandmother lounging on a carpet, giggling beside a Christmas tree, her face flushed from a drink. The clip alternates between her guzzling an alcoholic beverage and staring at the camera with a mix of confusion and contentment. Yet this isn’t a case of excessive sherry consumption. Instead, she’s sipping a sugary pre-mixed drink, a trend Gen Z has been pushing onto their older relatives as a playful novelty. The caption humorously frames it as “POV you thought Christmas Day was a good time to introduce BuzzBallz to your grandma.”

Such videos highlight a shift in drinking culture. In student flats, these ball-shaped cans—painted in bold hues of red, green, and blue—now outnumber traditional bottles. While their eye-catching design has made them internet famous, pre-mixed cocktails and spirit-and-mixer cans have seen broader growth. Circana data reveals a 30% spike in UK sales of these drinks between 2025 and 2026. Meanwhile, an IWSR survey found 43% of UK Gen Z had tried a pre-mixed can in the past six months, compared to just 26% of the general population.

The Appeal Beyond Taste

Gen Z, often labeled as the sober, tech-centric generation, is proving less straightforward in their alcohol choices. During a casual evening in London, Keilly Linares, 26, and Chyna Buena, 27, shared their post-work drinks in a park. When asked about BuzzBallz, Keilly pulled a red can from her bag, joking, “They’re not the best, but they do the job.” Chyna, sipping a similarly sweet can of Echo Falls, echoed the sentiment: “They taste OK for the alcohol percentage.”

“You take big sips and get them down you,” Keilly said. “They taste OK for the [alcohol] percentage.”

“It does the job,” agreed Chyna, who’s sipping a similarly sugary can of Echo Falls Summer Berries Spritz.

These drinks are dubbed “journey juice” by some, meant for quick consumption during commutes or late-night outings. Their compact size makes them easy to carry, a feature Keilly noted as practical for on-the-go lifestyles. But their popularity isn’t just about convenience. As Ellen Jenkins of HRA Global explains, they resemble “gimmicky bubble tea or bright vapes”—playful, visually striking, and Instagram-worthy.

Though some critics call them “gross” and “way too sweet,” the trend persists. Katy Russell, an Aberdeen student, claims, “Canned cocktails and BuzzBallz definitely have taken over.” For her, a night out often begins with a supermarket-brand can, which costs just £1 and mimics the flavor of big-name drinks. “They taste the exact same,” she said, highlighting affordability and familiarity as key factors.

The novelty of these drinks, amplified by TikTok, has reshaped perceptions. Cameron Couliard, a Strathclyde University student, noted that while many enjoy them, others drink with irony, joking about “baby’s first BuzzBall.” Dr. Laura T adds that their sweetness masks potency, making them feel less harmful despite containing 13.5% alcohol—similar to wine. This blend of accessibility, visual appeal, and perceived mildness has cemented their place in Gen Z’s drinking habits.