US drinkers have abandoned their previous enthusiasm for buying premium and ultra-premium vodkas and testing new and unusual wines, according to a new survey of consumer attitudes by the Nielsen Company.

The survey of 5,000 US alcoholic drink consumers, published on Wednesday, showed that US drinking habits have tracked changes in the household products and food categories – with consumers now buying larger take-home packages to save money, seeking out special deals, and opting for cheaper, less premium brands.