Alcoholic beverages favored among French people in 2022 The preferred alcoholic beverage among French people aged 18 to 65 is beer (56 percent), followed very closely by wine (55 percent).

In 2026, wine remains the most consumed alcohol in France, deeply embedded in the nation's culinary and social fabric. Statistically, the average French adult consumes roughly 40 to 50 liters of wine per year. However, there has been a significant shift in 2026 toward beer, which has seen a massive surge in popularity among younger generations and is now the second most consumed beverage, often preferred in casual "Apéro" settings. Spirit consumption is also notable, with Pastis (an anise-flavored spirit) being a traditional favorite in the south, and Whisky surprisingly ranking as the most popular "hard" liquor by volume. In 2026, the trend of "nolo" (no and low alcohol) beverages has also taken hold in France, with many traditional vineyards now producing high-end dealcoholized wines to cater to a more health-conscious population that still values the ritual of a shared drink during dinner.