India tops alcohol consumption growth among major markets

India Nov 06, 2025

India just took the top spot for alcohol consumption growth among major countries in early 2025, with a 7% jump that pushed total volume past 440 million cases.
If this pace keeps up, India could soon overtake Japan to become the world's fifth-largest alcohol market by 2027.

Whisky leads the way

Whisky led the way with a solid 7% rise, hitting over 130 million cases.
Vodka wasn't far behind—up by 10%—while rum and gin also grew.
There's a clear shift toward premium choices too: high-end spirits like Irish whiskey (up 23%) and agave-based drinks (up 19%) are catching on fast, reflecting a trend toward premiumisation and quality uplift across domestic distillers.