The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking is taking a closer look at how Americans, especially Gen Z, are consuming alcohol, and the findings may not match the stereotypes. While younger adults are often labeled the “dry generation,” a new survey finds nearly three-quarters of Gen Z do drink, but they’re doing it differently. Across all age groups, moderation is becoming the priority, even outranking taste for the first time. From pacing drinks to trends like “zebra striping,” where people alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, Americans are rethinking what it means to drink responsibly. Julian Braithwaite, CEO of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), joins Newell to talk about what's going on.


May 18, 2026














