Orders of diet and carbonated drinks, milk and coffee are on the decline.
Beverage orders have dropped by 2.7 billion servings since 2011, a report from the global information company NPD Group says. Tap water represents 10 percent of the 50 billion beverages served, and that is on the rise.
Changing tastes and frugality are the the reason, according to NPD.
More consumer are ordering iced-tea and smoothies, too. Slushy drinks and specialty coffee orders are also increasing, NPD's report said.
“A key learning from this report is that much of the declines in beverage servings are tied to the price/value relationship the consumer perceives," said NPD Restaurant Industry Analyst Bonnie Riggs.
