Here are five major trends in cocktails to look out for in 2024
For Indian drink connoisseurs, a new chapter begins as we enter 2024. The last year saw the rise of creative individuals with distinctive tastes. This year, among other new trends, the focus will be on sustainable spirits and AI-driven suggestions.
The most recent Cocktail Trends Report 2024 from Bacardi effectively conveys these shifting preferences and provides information on how Indian consumers are altering their drinking patterns. It explores not only what individuals drink but also how and why they do it. These are the five major trends that mixologists and aficionados of cocktails should be aware of in 2024.
Change a life with sustainable spirits: In recent years, we have been choosing products with a greater consideration for the environment in nearly every aspect of our lives. In 2023, this trend will expand to include bar orders. A staggering 94 percent of customers are prepared to pay more for beverages and spirits that are produced responsibly, according to the Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report 2024. This indicates that the alcobev industry is experiencing a consumer-driven green revolution. Some of the themes that customers worry about the most when buying spirits include ensuring that their good times are also beneficial for the environment. These include doing away with single-use plastic, utilizing recyclable packaging, and making sure that operations have a minimal carbon footprint.
What makes the ‘gram: Social media became a powerful element in determining cocktail tastes in 2023. According to the Patterns Report 2024, 42% of participants said they like to sip drinks that are visually attractive and appropriate for social media sharing. This suggests a convergence of digital and drinking patterns. The most popular factors that prompt consumers to snap pictures of their drinks and share them on social media include vibrant hues, unusual settings, and taste explosions.
Specialized drinks to suit all tastes: drinks with flavors that are fruity, sweet, and spicy are the most popular ones for 2023. Classic drinks like whisky coke and vodka soda are the most popular due to their huge volume. But customers also placed a higher priority on the ingredients in their cocktails: 49% of respondents said that the alcohol percentage of the beverage was crucial, and 44% said that its calorie count was a deciding factor.
Choosing a drink that makes a statement: Drinks have evolved into an extension of personal identity as consumer knowledge of mixology culture and the variety of cocktail alternatives rises. According to 75% of participants in the Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report 2024, they would be prepared to pay more for cocktails that reflect their unique style and beliefs. The majority of respondents said they would rather drink fewer drinks overall but choose better cocktails to both enhance their drinking experience and make a statement with more upscale and rare spirits.
Variety is important to Indian customers, who are demonstrating a wide range of tastes in cocktails and continuing the experimental trend that started in 2022. A wide range of flavors and spirits were included in a poll of the most popular bar orders over 2023. Traditional drinks like Bloody Mary, Whisky and Coke, and Gin & Tonic led the way, followed by more specialized options like Mojito, Espresso Martini, and Tequila Sunrise. Mixers and garnishes are another area where the cocktail industry is diverse. Fruit juice, cola, and club soda are the most popular mixers, while youthful drinkers like ginger and Tabasco sauce are big fans of spicy garnishes.
The whole Bacardi Cocktail Developments Report 2024 has more information and detailed statistics supporting these developments. The biggest privately owned multinational spirits firm in the world, Bacardi Limited, produced this analysis, which examines the major factors expected to reshape cocktail culture and the spirits industry by 2024. It is based on findings from Bacardi-led customer and brand ambassador surveys, interviews with the bar and restaurant industry, and independent research conducted by The Future Laboratory. It was developed in partnership with the strategic foresight firm.
