Spirits are picking up, so to speak, in the alcoholic beverage industry, though rising commodity prices may constrain margins, according to a new study by AlixPartners LLP, the global business-advisory firm. Prospects are also looking up in the non-alcoholic beverage sector, despite similar margin pressures.

AlixPartners found some 87% of U.S. consumers plan to spend the same or more on alcoholic beverages over the coming 12 months, a marked contrast to last year’s AlixPartners study, when 70% said they would spend the same or more on alcohol. Similar positive sentiment prevailed in non-alcoholic beverages, as 84% of consumers said they would spend the same or more, as opposed to early 2010, when only 74% said they planned to spend the same or more on soft drinks, coffee, teas, sports drinks and bottled water.