Poppi is here to Revolutionise UK Pre-drinks Culture

Pre-drinks, or “pres”, is a sacred ritual before a night out. Generally hosted at an agreed location like a pub or most likely a friend's flat, partaking in a pres is both an exact science and an art form deeply engrained in UK party culture across the country. Its prevalence is particularly notable in university students’ social gatherings, with almost 90% attending a pres at least once a month. As people transition out of this stage in life, many also begin to forgo pre drinks in favour of getting a drink at the designated club or bar. But as society changes rapidly, is this still a viable option for young people?

The Price of a Pres Socially, pre-drinks act as a prelude to the planned night ahead, with many friend groups choosing to engage in playing games, making tiktoks or getting ready together as a form of bonding before stepping out. While there are several articles online that offer guides to hosting or participating, a pres is often subjective to the friendship group or the subsequent event. Generally, the success of this pre-party get together is reliant on several factors like music, company, drinks and timing. Without precise planning and execution in each area, the guarantee of optimum enjoyment at the actual night out hangs in the balance.

One of the most pertinent reasons for this frequency has been the rise in costs for a night out post pandemic. As a widespread practice particularly amongst university students, the closure of venues paired with the rising prices of drinks at the venues that do remain are rapidly pricing young people out of the joys of a Friday night in a club or pub. This is a far cry from the stories of people buying each other drinks and girls gaining free entry before 11pm that were previously common practice. Instead, many have opted for the cost efficiency of DIY rum punches and drinks contributed by the group as compensation. 

While pres are a going out staple, their pervasiveness may also be at risk of becoming formulaic, particularly due to the homogeneity of drinks and mixers available in the UK. Young people have been observed to be moving away from excessive drinking practices, partially due to cost, but also because of an increased desire to prioritise health. But is this such a bad thing? Gen Z has been, perhaps hastily, been dubbed the “sober generation” as many young people’s choice of beverage has seemed to lean away from alcohol. However, with the introduction and demand of health conscious drinks like Poppi to the UK, it seems that selectiveness may have been misinterpreted for sobriety. 

How Can We Switch Things Up? 

So what does this mean for the state of pre-drinks culture? How can drinks like Poppi fit into the sanctity of a Friday night pre-drinks in a friend's flat? Poppi has been on the radar of many young people in the UK due to its frequent features in TikTok videos posted by American creators. Viewers from the UK have been drawn in by the drink’s vibrant design and the clear enjoyment showcased by those lucky enough to drink it. Now that it’s in Tesco and Pret, Poppi is finally accessible to its growing UK fanbase. 

Poppi’s burst onto the gut healthy drinks scene set the standard for social media marketing. When it began in the US, Poppi seemed to be in the hands of every Gen Z and millennial TikTok creator, even making it into the hands of celebs 

like Hailey Bieber and Billie Eilish. Started by Texan couple Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, its prevalence seemed to transcend the constraints of traditional social media marketing and became a staple in US drinks culture. For those of us in the UK, watching everyone in the US have the time of their life with a Poppi in their hands, the feelings of curiosity 

and envy were palpable. 

For many of us in the UK, the US has been our main source of cultural exchange, pulling us out of the homogeneity of the food and drinks scene here. So when Poppi made its way over here, many young people finally had the chance to alleviate the curiosity and indulge in the joys of Strawberry Lemon, Raspberry Rose, Lemon Lime, Wild Berry and Orange. 

Its locality in Tesco and Pret make it the perfect drink to grab as a mixer on the way to pres, promising a wealth of bold yet refreshing flavours. Most importantly, Poppi’s combination of low sugar and high fibre brings in that element of health consciousness that many crave while being a flavourful contribution to anyone's DIY punch. It’s possible that Poppi’s integration into the UK’s beverage eco system could be a necessary boost for pre-drinks culture.

Can Pre-Drinks Survive? 

Despite being such a staple for university students, predrinks may be on rocky ground for other groups of young people. However, although costs seem to continue to rise, drinks like Poppi might be the answer to at least part of the problem.