2024 is right around the corner, and you're busy planning your menus for the year ahead. Naturally you want to stay ahead of the curve and make sure your menu is full of fresh, new flavours. We have created this article with our predictions for mixology in 2024 so you can become a thought leader in the industry.
Image Credit: Incognito Bar London
Mixology is beautiful for the very reason that it is everchanging and evolving - sure there are the classic, original cocktails, however there is beauty within the customisation and ability to add a personal twist or signature to your creations. There are so many undiscovered combinations, with new products, ingredients and spirits being developed constantly, it’s no wonder the beverage industry is so quickly evolving.
With more and more venues opening up wherever you turn, competition is fierce and it’s a fight to stay relevant in an ever changing industry.
To truly survive the mixology revolution, it’s not just a want but a need to stay ahead of the trend and create showstopping, memorable experiences for your guests.
As disruptors in the industry, we pride ourselves on having our customers in mind, and it’s our job to aid your journey to growth as a business. We strive to create tools and technology that will help elevate both your presentation and user experience, to help you stay innovative and exciting to your customer base.
With that in mind, here are our predictions for the cocktail world for 2024 and how to embrace the change instead of getting left behind.
- Low and No-Alcohol Cocktails: The trend toward mindful drinking has led to an increase in low and no-alcohol cocktails. Bartenders are crafting creative, flavourful drinks that provide a sophisticated experience without the alcohol content. There are so many reasons that somebody may opt for a no or low alcohol alternative, including health choices, religion, being designated driver, being underage or personal preference - regardless of the reason, its 2024 - its time to give the sober squad something more exciting than a diet coke! Adding some mocktails to your menu can not only increase your profits, it can help increase your footfall, by showing you can cater to more complex guest parties! There’s nothing like feeling included.
Image Credit: SIPS Barcelona
- Sustainability in Cocktails: Just as in the broader hospitality industry, there's a growing emphasis on sustainability in the cocktail world. This includes using locally sourced ingredients, reducing waste, and implementing eco-friendly practices behind the bar. Many bars, including Sips (recently voted Best Bar in the World 2023) have chosen to move away from traditional garnishes such as fruit and herbs, and now choose to use an aroma bubble garnish instead. Not only is this a more interactive, instagrammable alternative, it also reduces your food waste and makes cleanup a lot quicker! Leaving no residue behind, an aroma bubble is a cleaner, more sustainable choice to cocktail umbrellas, sticky salt rims and lime wheels. Reducing your consumption not only helps the environment, but also saves your bank account, as averaging at 3¢ a bubble, this is much more affordable than a box of passion fruits a night!
- Craft and Artisanal Ice: The appreciation for the details in cocktails extends to the ice. Craft ice, in various shapes and sizes, is becoming more popular for its ability to enhance the overall drinking experience. Ghost Ice are a leading innovator in the ice game, creating ultra clear ice with their patented ice moulds. Not only are they creating beautifully clear ice, they are changing the game when it comes to ice stamping. The ability to embed your venue logo onto ice, or add intricate patterns is now made easy thanks to the Ice Designer. Simply place your ice onto the tray and within seconds, a pattern will be melted onto the surface of the ice. Looking for alternatives to spice up your ice? Why not try adding edible glitter or botanicals to your ice for an aesthetically pleasing ice cube with added function.
- Global Flavour Influences: Bartenders are experimenting with flavours from around the world, incorporating unique and exotic ingredients to create innovative and culturally diverse cocktails. The easiest way to add more global flavours without changing your menu is to add an aroma garnish - with exotic flavours such as lychee, coconut, vanilla, and truffle - there are plenty of aromas to freshen up your regular cocktail menu without changing your recipes.
- Health-Boosting Ingredients: Cocktails with functional ingredients, such as herbs, botanicals, and adaptogens, are gaining popularity. These ingredients are believed to offer health benefits and add an extra layer of complexity to the drinks. Enhance and compliment your current herbal flavours by adding an aroma garnish, perhaps you want to bring out the rosemary in your negroni - adding a rosemary aroma bubble will help your guests truly enjoy the fragrance your herbs have to offer.
Image Credit: Incognito Bar London
- Interactive and Immersive Experiences: Bars and mixologists are exploring ways to make cocktail consumption a more interactive and immersive experience. This may involve presentation, storytelling, or even allowing patrons to customise their drinks. One of the ways venues are looking at encouraging interactivity is by utilising custom glassware. Glassware such as our Ice Cream Cone or Cocktail Sipper are great for encouraging your guests to truly lean into their sipping experience, and a burstable bubble garnish is the perfect way to get everybody's attention.
Image Credit: Viajante87
- Retro and Nostalgic Cocktails: There's a resurgence of interest in classic cocktails and vintage recipes. Bartenders are putting modern twists on traditional drinks, offering a blend of nostalgia and innovation. Whether you go for a more traditional presentation, or strip back your menu to the classics, retro is back and it’s here to stay!
- Culinary Cocktails: The line between the kitchen and the bar continues to blur, with mixologists incorporating culinary techniques, savoury ingredients, and gastronomic approaches into their cocktail creations. Our aromas were created with versatility in mind, allowing venues to use the same aromas in both their food dishes and drinks to allow for a seamless service. Embracing savoury flavours, we have developed a range of savoury aromas that will work beautifully on both cocktails and restaurant dishes, including truffle, smoke and rosemary. Using a coaster to trap aroma in a glass is a perfect way to incorporate the culinary world into your mixology, by offering a small snack on top. In a recent collaboration with Vaux Brewery, we created the following concept of a citrus aroma underneath a beer mat, with a handful of nuts on top, so guests could fully enjoy the fantasia of flavours together.
- Canned and Bottled Cocktails: Ready-to-drink cocktails in cans or bottles are becoming more popular for their convenience and portability. Craft distilleries and bars are producing high-quality, pre-mixed options. Why not start a subscription service and start bottling your own cocktails to take home? Many venues such as The Alchemist and Maybe Sammy already offer this service, and it’s a great work around for guests who want to enjoy your signature flavours without leaving the comfort of their own home.
Image Credit: Viajante87
- Tech-Enhanced Cocktails: Some bars are incorporating technology, such as smoke infusers and aroma guns, molecular gastronomy techniques, and augmented reality, to enhance the presentation and overall experience of cocktails. Obviously we have to give ourselves a pat on the back here, being both the creator of the Flavour Blaster and the JetChill. Both of our devices were designed to elevate both the industry professional and the customers experience of mixology, making unforgettable moments for both sides of the bartop. We strive to create a reaction, and your success is our goal. Investing in a Flavour Blaster aroma gun for your venue will not only help boost your sales, but also your venue exposure. Learn how using a Flavour Blaster can help market your business here.
So there you have it! These are our top predictions for cocktail trends for 2024! Obviously this isn’t an exhaustive list, and we don’t have a crystal ball - but we do have decades of industry knowledge and experience, and we know a thing or two about cocktails. So take this on board when you’re planning your future menu, and if you need any recipe inspiration, we have both a cocktail book and YouTube channel full of recipes that are ripe for the taking!
