The 12 Cocktail Trends Of 2024 That Are Worth Keeping In 2025

Mocktails

Market research indicates a notable rise in young individuals choosing to abstain from alcohol. The nightlife scene is evolving as many young people are opting for more sober or sober-curious lifestyles. According to The Food Institute, Generation Z drinks about 20% less alcohol compared to millennials. In response to this emerging trend, bars and restaurants have revamped their menus to feature a wider array of non-alcoholic options. This is where the mocktail phenomenon has truly flourished. In 2024, we witnessed bar menus showcasing a diverse and impressive selection of mocktails, with trends like the "sleepy girl mocktail" gaining popularity on social media.

Rather than offering dull and basic choices, many bars are investing time and creativity into crafting thoughtful and delicious non-alcoholic beverages. "It's now essential for bars and restaurants to include non-alcoholic options on their menus—not just juices or sodas, but sophisticated and expertly crafted alcohol-free cocktails. If they don't offer these options, they're missing out on potential revenue," stated Michelle Houston, founder of To Be Honest Beverage Company.

This is one drink trend that is likely to persist into 2025. A well-curated mocktail menu is an excellent strategy for clubs and bars looking to retain their clientele while appealing to a new demographic of patrons who wish to socialize without consuming alcohol.

Minimalist cocktails

A notable trend that emerged in 2024 is a resurgence of simplicity in cocktails. While extravagant drinks featuring a multitude of exotic ingredients certainly have their moments, an increasing number of patrons are gravitating towards high-quality, straightforward beverages. Minimalist cocktails, typically composed of just three ingredients, are making a strong comeback. Instead of overwhelming guests with innovative concoctions and a wide range of components, many mixologists are now concentrating on creating classic, well-crafted drinks that highlight each ingredient rather than drowning them in complexity.

This shift may be partly attributed to consumers becoming more knowledgeable. During the pandemic, many individuals learned to mix their own drinks, leading to a greater appreciation for a simple yet expertly made cocktail. Elon Soddu, owner and manager of Amaro, shared his insights on this trend with Foodism. "In the past, guests sought theatricality, showmanship, and eccentricity," Soddu noted. "I often had customers ordering the most 'Instagrammable' cocktails without even looking at the menu, only to send them back when they realized they didn’t enjoy the flavors. Nowadays, the focus has shifted from excessive mixes and elaborate presentations to a more refined elegance and classic approach." This return to simplicity is also more cost-effective, making minimalism an appealing trend for both consumers and bars. As a result, beloved classics like the vodka cranberry cocktail are making a comeback.

'90s cocktails

As we embrace a return to the fundamentals in 2024, we've witnessed a revival of classic cocktails that had fallen out of favor for several decades. Beverages such as the cosmopolitan, espresso martini, and daiquiri, which were all the rage in the '90s, were deemed passé in the 2000s and 2010s. However, over the past four years, these delightful drinks have made a significant comeback. With '90s fashion and television shows regaining popularity, it’s no surprise that consumers are also gravitating back to the cocktails of that era. Nylon reported that cosmopolitans were the drink of choice at New York Fashion Week 2024, signaling their return to trendiness. Harper's Bazaar social editor Faith Brown remarked, "They're fun and flirty, and I can't deny that I feel a bit like Carrie Bradshaw. But I also feel a lot like my mother — which is even better."

The cocktails of the 1990s are characterized by their straightforward (often fruity) flavors and visual appeal. Drinks like cosmos and martinis elegantly balance sophistication and playfulness. They make for great photo ops without being overly complex, and they don’t compromise on taste for the sake of aesthetics. Rather than being viewed as outdated, many are embracing the nostalgia, and it’s likely that these '90s-inspired cocktails will continue to be enjoyed in 2025 as well.

Savory drinks

The New York Times has forecasted that "sipping your supper" will emerge as a major beverage trend in 2024, indicating a rise in drinks that mimic the flavors of savory dishes. A glance at current cocktail bar menus confirms this prediction. While sweet, botanical, and sour flavors remain prevalent, mixologists are increasingly experimenting with savory, salty, and umami-infused cocktails. You might encounter unexpected ingredients like curry, dill, mushrooms, tzatziki, and more.

Bartenders are becoming increasingly inventive with the savory flavor combinations they offer. "Having a savory or spicy drink on your menu is almost essential these days," said Braden Williams, bar manager at Noko Nashville, in an interview with Food & Wine. "Just a few years ago, it would have been daring to feature something vegetal, salty, spicy, or savory, but like art, music, or film, our drinking habits are constantly evolving." In New York City, the acclaimed cocktail bar and restaurant Double Chicken Please serves a cocktail inspired by beetroot salad, while the West Village venue Angel's Share incorporates soy sauce powder into some of its creations. The growing popularity of savory drinks has opened up a vast array of possibilities for mixologists, with countless flavor combinations still waiting to be explored. We can expect to see even more savory innovations in the upcoming year.

Fat-washing

A rising technique for achieving a delightful flavor infusion is fat-washing drinks. This method is employed to enhance the taste of spirits and create more robust cocktails. Fat-washing resembles traditional drink infusion; all you need to do is incorporate a small amount of fat—such as oil, melted butter, or bacon grease—into your spirit. Mix thoroughly to blend the flavorful fat with the liquor, then place the mixture in your refrigerator or freezer. The cold will solidify the fat, allowing you to remove it from the drink, resulting in a rich flavor and a velvety texture without the heaviness of the fat. Some of the most popular concoctions made using this technique include butter rum and bacon-infused bourbon.

While fat-washing is a fantastic technique utilized by bartenders, many enthusiasts have also embraced it as a DIY approach. A quick online search will reveal countless videos demonstrating how to perfect this method at home for your own cocktails. As savory cocktails continue to gain popularity, fat-washing offers an excellent way to infuse drinks with deep, full-bodied flavors that are likely to remain in vogue through 2025.

Asian spirits

In the United States, certain liquors like vodka, rum, and gin are regarded as staple selections at bars. Recently, many venues have expanded their offerings to feature spirits from around the world. In 2024, mixologists crafted exciting and flavorful cocktail combinations using popular Asian liquors such as Japanese sh?ch?, Korean soju, and Chinese baijiu. Each of these spirits boasts a distinct flavor profile, paving the way for innovative and tasty blends.

Soju, in particular, has experienced a notable rise in popularity. While it may not yet be a mainstream choice, its presence on U.S. menus has increased by 31% from 2020 to 2024, according to Nation's Restaurant News. This clear spirit is produced from fermented grains, typically rice, and is less potent than many other liquors, making it an appealing option for a generation that is increasingly leaning towards alcohol-free or low-alcohol beverages. As more consumers become familiar with soju's flavor, demand for it is expected to rise. Similarly, baijiu's global popularity is anticipated to keep growing until 2032, as more international bartenders begin to incorporate it into their cocktails (via Custom Market Insights). With the rising interest in Asian spirits, we can expect to see a variety of new flavor combinations in the years ahead.

Cocktails with sotol

Another spirit that garnered significant attention in 2024 was sotol. Many people mistakenly think it is an agave-based spirit, but sotol is actually a Mexican liquor distilled from the spiky desert plants of the Dasylirion genus. This spirit boasts a bright, slightly grassy flavor, making it a distinctive base for cocktail recipes that many bartenders are starting to explore.

While sotol has not yet reached the same level of recognition as mezcal or tequila, it is making a notable impact in the beverage industry and expanding its market presence. This year, the drink became more widely available in the U.S. than in previous years, and its popularity is likely still on the rise. "I envision sotol as the third wave of Mexican spirits, following tequila and mezcal," said Ricardo Pico, partner and global sotol educator for Nocheluna Sotol, in an interview with Forbes. "I firmly believe that in five years, every top bar and restaurant in the U.S. will feature at least one sotol cocktail on their menu." If Pico's prediction holds true, then 2024 marks just the beginning of sotol's ascent, with its presence expected to grow even more in the coming year.

Milk punches

When you hear the term "milk punch," you might envision a rich, creamy concoction similar to eggnog, but in reality, milk punch is a clear beverage. A clarified milk punch is created by mixing milk, a spirit, and an acid. As the mixture curdles, it is then strained to yield a transparent, flavorful punch. This clarified version can stand alone as a drink or serve as a foundational element for a delightful cocktail. This intriguing preparation method has been utilized for centuries, but it has recently seen a resurgence in popularity among bartenders.

Darren Leany, a bartender and the mastermind behind tiramisu milk punch at the Melbourne cocktail bar Capitano, shared his thoughts on why he and many other cocktail enthusiasts are captivated by this technique. "There’s something enchanting and really cool (or maybe I’m just simple!) about transforming a chaotic liquid into a silky, luxurious drink through the clarification and milk-washing process," he explained to Bartender. "It’s also a fantastic way to impress your guests; even in an era where people are more knowledgeable than ever, milk still tends to evoke a sense of cloudiness rather than clarity. Plus, the ability to play with beloved desserts and present those familiar flavors in a fresh format adds a nostalgic touch that enhances both the drink and the overall guest experience." It’s no surprise that milk punches are making appearances at cocktail bars nationwide. In fact, a new bar in New York City called Jelas specializes exclusively in clarified cocktails featuring a milk punch base.

Clarified cocktails

With a focus on simplicity and high-quality ingredients in beverages, it’s no wonder that clarified cocktails gained immense popularity in 2024. Clarified cocktails, which include milk punch as one of their subcategories, undergo a clarification process that eliminates impurities, resulting in a crystal-clear liquid. Other methods of clarification, such as agar clarification and centrifugation, are also utilized. While the clear appearance is a notable advantage of this process, many enthusiasts claim that clarified cocktails offer an improved taste. The technique enhances the drink's smoothness and mouthfeel, leading to a superior drinking experience. Due to these advantages, the trend of clarifying classic cocktail recipes surged in 2024.

Clarified drinks also hold a unique allure because they are challenging to replicate at home. Although many consumers have picked up the skills to mix drinks and may prefer to stay in to save money, creating clarified cocktails is more complex and justifies the higher prices at restaurants. "It's still a technique that people don't typically attempt at home, which adds an element of intrigue to such cocktails," said Liana Oster, director of Nomad London, in an interview with Club Oenologique. "It requires significant preparation and expertise to execute properly." As a result, clarified cocktails are an excellent choice for bars and restaurants to feature on their menus in the upcoming year.

Signature martinis

In 2024, classic cocktails made a strong comeback, with the martini leading the charge. The traditional vodka or gin martini is as timeless as it gets, and while these classic versions have always remained popular, this year saw a surge in innovative interpretations of the drink. The espresso martini, in particular, gained significant traction and was a standout favorite throughout the year. Additionally, many bars began crafting their own unique takes on the martini, resulting in a variety of signature creations.

"With cocktail trends constantly evolving, bars and bartenders are challenged to develop new methods for crafting their own martini variations with distinctive twists," said Simon Sebbah, beverage director at Grand Tour Hospitality, in an interview with Forbes. "I believe the trend really gained momentum post-Covid, as people started to appreciate that simple classics are often the best choices," he noted. By creating signature martinis, establishments can tap into the nostalgic charm of this classic drink while adding their unique flair to entice customers to return. Mixologists have breathed new life into the martini by incorporating fresh ingredients. For instance, in Los Angeles, you can find an apple martini featuring pear eau de vie at Accomplice, a version with pickled romanesco and black garlic oil at La Dolce Vita, or Lawry's Meat & Potato Martini at The Prime Rib, which combines vodka with a prime-rib-and-horseradish-stuffed olive. With so many intriguing reinventions, it's hard to imagine the martini ever falling out of favor.

Healthier cocktails

Today, a growing number of individuals are prioritizing their health when it comes to food and beverage selections. In the cocktail sector, this shift has sparked an increase in the popularity of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages. Consumers are also seeking out drinks that are low in calories or sugar, as well as those that offer additional health benefits. This year, there has been a notable demand for nutritious cocktail combinations featuring beneficial elements such as fresh herbs, botanicals, teas, natural fruit juices, and ginger.

"I truly believe that consumers are increasingly embracing health-conscious choices, and the wealth of information available online, along with knowledgeable bartenders, is steering the industry towards a healthier lifestyle," stated Miranda Densford, beverage director at Barn8 Farm Restaurant & Bourbon Bar, in an interview with Market Watch Magazine. This trend is expected to continue growing as consumers become more informed and bartenders modify their recipes to meet the needs of health-focused patrons. Particularly as the new year approaches, when many individuals set goals and resolutions for healthier living, these types of beverages are likely to become even more common.

Seasonal cocktail menus

As consumers become more knowledgeable and attentive to high-quality cocktail ingredients, there is a noticeable trend towards cocktails made with fresh, seasonal components. Both health-conscious patrons and those who prioritize flavor are increasingly favoring cocktail mixes that incorporate locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Rather than relying on prepackaged mixes or heavily processed juices, an increasing number of vendors are committed to using top-quality ingredients to satisfy market demands.

Brian DuBois, the assistant general manager of Billy Sunday, a cocktail bar in Charlotte, North Carolina, has observed this industry transformation. "The focus on fresh ingredients is taking the cocktail scene by storm — the use of sour mix in bars is rapidly declining," he shared with Market Watch Magazine. Utilizing seasonal ingredients also allows for a dynamic cocktail menu that evolves with the seasons, adding variety and excitement for patrons. Renowned cocktail spots like Penicillin in Hong Kong and Ugly Butterfly in Cornwall, England, even aim to incorporate local or foraged ingredients, ensuring their cocktails reflect the environment from which they originate. This trend shows no signs of fading as we move into 2025.