Denver, Jul 7 (EFE).- In the United States, only 54 percent of adults said they consumed alcohol in 2025, the lowest proportion since polling firm Gallup began tracking the habit in 1939.
In its first survey, 58 percent of Americans said they drank alcohol. The share remained above 60 percent between 1997 and 2023, then began a steady decline, falling from 62 percent in 2023 to 58 percent in 2024 and finally to 54 percent in 2025.
One reflection of this shift is increasingly visible at fine dining establishments and river cruises, such as Riverside Luxury Cruises. The company has expanded the experience at its Vintage Room by offering dealcoholized wines, non-alcoholic botanical beverages and the option of pairing the menu exclusively with water, while continuing to serve traditional pairings with Champagne and carefully selected wines.
The changing consumption patterns are reflected not only in the number of people who drink but also in how often they do. Among alcohol consumers, 24 percent said they had consumed a drink within the previous 24 hours, while 40 percent said it had been more than a week since their last alcoholic beverage.
Public perceptions of alcohol have also changed. For the first time, a majority of respondents, 53 percent, said that even moderate drinking—defined as one or two drinks per day—is harmful to health.
In the United States, only 54 percent of adults said they consumed alcohol in 2025, the lowest proportion since polling firm Gallup began tracking the habit in 1939. In its first survey, 58 percent of Americans said they drank alcohol. The share remained above 60 percent between 1997 and 2023, then began a steady decline, falling from 62 percent in 2023 to 58 percent in 2024 and finally to 54 percent in 2025. One reflection of this shift is increasingly visible at fine dining establishments and river cruises, such as Riverside Luxury Cruises. The company has expanded the experience at its Vintage Room by offering dealcoholized wines, non-alcoholic botanical beverages and the option of pairing the menu exclusively with water, while continuing to serve traditional pairings with Champagne and carefully selected wines. EFE/Riverside Luxury Cruises/ EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NOT FOR SALE/ FOR USE SOLELY TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT).
In the United States, only 54 percent of adults said they consumed alcohol in 2025, the lowest proportion since polling firm Gallup began tracking the habit in 1939. In its first survey, 58 percent of Americans said they drank alcohol. The share remained above 60 percent between 1997 and 2023, then began a steady decline, falling from 62 percent in 2023 to 58 percent in 2024 and finally to 54 percent in 2025. One reflection of this shift is increasingly visible at fine dining establishments and river cruises, such as Riverside Luxury Cruises. The company has expanded the experience at its Vintage Room by offering dealcoholized wines, non-alcoholic botanical beverages and the option of pairing the menu exclusively with water, while continuing to serve traditional pairings with Champagne and carefully selected wines. EFE/Riverside Luxury Cruises/ EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NOT FOR SALE/ FOR USE SOLELY TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT).
A menu with pairing options
While these figures alone do not explain the decisions made by restaurants, hotels and tourism companies, they provide context for understanding why non-alcoholic beverages are no longer viewed as a secondary option but are increasingly being designed to contribute their own aromas, textures and flavors.
The Vintage Room, for example, is a dining venue available aboard the Riverside Mozart, Riverside Debussy and Riverside Ravel, accommodating between 10 and 12 guests per seating.
The menu created by the culinary team is the same for every guest. However, each diner can choose how to accompany it: with Champagne and wines of different vintages, dealcoholized wines selected for each course, non-alcoholic botanical beverages or simply water.
Wine therefore remains an integral part of the experience and retains its place within the concept. The change lies in expanding the pairing options for a menu built around the dining experience.
“A great dining experience isn’t about telling guests what they should enjoy and when. It’s about helping them enjoy what they already love,” said Jennifer Halboth, Chief Executive Officer of Riverside Americas.
“By broadening our offerings, we’re removing the ‘barrier to entry’ that may have previously discouraged some guests from enjoying this experience,” she added.
In addition to expanding the beverage selection, Riverside has introduced a four-course lunch that brings the same pairing concept offered at dinner into a more relaxed midday format.
The experience also includes a pre-dinner tasting led by a sommelier, featuring rare vintages and limited-production labels paired with small dishes prepared by the culinary team.
“The best pairing is the one that allows the guest to enjoy the meal fully,” said Johannes Bar, Executive Chef at Riverside Luxury Cruises.
“Sometimes it’s an exceptional wine. Sometimes it’s a botanical beverage. And sometimes it’s simply a glass of water. What matters is creating an experience that feels personal, memorable and delicious,” he added.
The three ships offering the Vintage Room experience sail along European rivers including the Rhine, Rhône, Danube, Moselle and Main. EFE
In the United States, only 54 percent of adults said they consumed alcohol in 2025, the lowest proportion since polling firm Gallup began tracking the habit in 1939. In its first survey, 58 percent of Americans said they drank alcohol. The share remained above 60 percent between 1997 and 2023, then began a steady decline, falling from 62 percent in 2023 to 58 percent in 2024 and finally to 54 percent in 2025. One reflection of this shift is increasingly visible at fine dining establishments and river cruises, such as Riverside Luxury Cruises. The company has expanded the experience at its Vintage Room by offering dealcoholized wines, non-alcoholic botanical beverages and the option of pairing the menu exclusively with water, while continuing to serve traditional pairings with Champagne and carefully selected wines. EFE/Riverside Luxury Cruises/ EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NOT FOR SALE/ FOR USE SOLELY TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT).
In the United States, only 54 percent of adults said they consumed alcohol in 2025, the lowest proportion since polling firm Gallup began tracking the habit in 1939. In its first survey, 58 percent of Americans said they drank alcohol. The share remained above 60 percent between 1997 and 2023, then began a steady decline, falling from 62 percent in 2023 to 58 percent in 2024 and finally to 54 percent in 2025. One reflection of this shift is increasingly visible at fine dining establishments and river cruises, such as Riverside Luxury Cruises. The company has expanded the experience at its Vintage Room by offering dealcoholized wines, non-alcoholic botanical beverages and the option of pairing the menu exclusively with water, while continuing to serve traditional pairings with Champagne and carefully selected wines. EFE/Riverside Luxury Cruises/ EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NOT FOR SALE/ FOR USE SOLELY TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT).
