Cocktail trends are in and out constantly, but some have held the test of time for decades. There are new techniques that bartenders use that you can try at home! So, let’s dive into some new trends and what’s here to stay!
Still on the Cocktail Trends Rise: Non-alcoholic Options
It’s no secret that mocktails and other non-alcoholic options are on the continued up and up. More people are becoming consciously aware of their alcohol consumption and the effects of alcohol on their system. There are so many interesting ways to concoct a tasty drink sans alcohol.
Tea!
Up first is…tea! Because of the rise of the espresso martini, many restaurants and bars are opting for more coffee and tea-infused cocktails and mocktails, utilizing the herbs and spices of the tea. Tea cocktails/mocktails are so easy to make and prepare to as you can prepare a large batch.
Here are some ideas for tea mocktails that go along with 2024 cocktail trends:
- Iced Tea Spritzer: Mix brewed and chilled tea with sparkling water, a splash of fruit juice (like lemon, peach, or raspberry), and a few fresh mint leaves for a refreshing drink. Great for springtime and summertime sippin’!
- Green Tea Mojito: Brew green tea and let it cool. Mix the tea with fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and a little bit of honey or simple syrup. Serve over ice. This green tea could even be used with different green tea flavors! Harney & Sons makes a great green tea and the blueberry green tea is amazing!
- Berry Hibiscus Cooler: Brew hibiscus tea and chill. Blend the chilled tea with mixed berries (like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries) and a squeeze of lemon juice. Strain the mixture and serve over ice. This sounds so fresh and I can just picture it inside of a big pitcher on the picnic table!
- Chai Tea Latte: Brew chai tea and let it cool. Heat milk (or a non-dairy alternative) and froth it. Pour the cooled tea into a glass, add frothed milk on top, and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Arnold Palmer: An Arnold Palmer mocktail, also known as a “Half and Half,” is a refreshing and simple drink made by mixing iced tea with lemonade. Always a classic!
The Spritz will Continue!
Last summer, Aperol Spritz was a continued huge piece of cocktail trends from 2022. An Aperol Spritz is a refreshing cocktail enjoyed in the summer months. They are easy to drink and very approachable for someone just getting into beverages with alcohol. These can be easily enjoyed without alcohol, too!
A spritz is an Italian wine-based cocktail consisting of Prosecco, bitters, and soda water. The popular Aperol Spritz is popular Italian cocktail known for its bright orange color and refreshing flavor. It’s made with Aperol, a bitter orange liqueur, prosecco (Italian sparkling wine), and a splash of soda water.
Here are some spritz recipes you may not have heard of and are totally worth a try if you’re interested in the lighter cocktail trends!
- Suzie Americano Spritz: similar to a White Negroni with herbal flavors and white Italian vermouth, topped with club soda.
- St. Germaine Spritz: consists of the floral liqueur with dry white wine and club soda!
- Campari Spritz: similar to an Aperol spritz, but using Campari! Aperol is lighter, sweeter, and less bitter, making it suitable for lighter cocktails, while Campari is more bitter and complex, lending itself to a wider range of cocktails, particularly those that require a more pronounced bitter element.
More Trends: Fat-Washing, Yuzu, and Foam!
Fat-Washing
Another trend to watch out for in the 2024 cocktail trends that is continuing to rise is fat washing. When I first heard of fat-washing a cocktail, I thought, ‘oh my that sounds disgusting’ but the more I learned about what it actually entails, the more intrigued I was! It’s definitely not an every day cocktail experience, but if you are someone who is interested in the science behind mixology, this should definitely be one to try from the cocktail trends of 2024!
Fat washing is a technique used in cocktail making to infuse flavors from fats into spirits. The texture of the cocktail even becomes silky, giving it an alluring mouthfeel! Here’s how it typically works:
- Choose Your Fat: Select a flavorful fat, such as bacon fat, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil. The fat should be melted or at room temperature.
- Combine with Spirit: Mix the melted fat with a spirit, such as whiskey, rum, or vodka, in a container. The fat should fully incorporate with the spirit.
- Infusion Period: Allow the fat and spirit mixture to sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a period of time, typically a few hours to a few days, depending on the desired intensity of the flavor.
- Separation: After the infusion period, place the mixture in the freezer. The fat will solidify and rise to the top, making it easy to remove.
- Strain: Strain the spirit through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any remaining fat particles, leaving behind a flavored spirit.
- Use in Cocktails: The fat-washed spirit can now be used in cocktails. It will have a distinct flavor and texture from the fat infusion, adding a unique twist to your drink.
Here are some fat-washed cocktails to help you understand the trend a bit more:
- Fat-washed coconut campari: Adds a coconut flavor to the bitter and complex flavors of Campari!
- Brown Butter Old Fashioned: This is a popular fat-washed cocktail that I have seen on cocktail menus. It has a sweet and butter-beer type flavor. A great cocktail for fall/winter!
- Sichuan Pepper + Sesame Oil Cocktail: Now this one is really for those who love experimenting! I think of my brother-in-law in this one as he loves trying interesting flavors! The sesame oil neutralizes the whiskey burn and adds another layer of flavor!
Yuzu
Bless you! No, no, yuzu is not the sound that someone makes when they sneeze, but it is a sour citrus fruit. It’s small and bumpy and almost looks like a lemon. The flavor is tart and fragrant, similar to a grapefruit but with subtle hints of mandarin orange. Yuzu is often used as a flavoring in Japanese cuisine.
Fresh yuzu can be pretty difficult to find since there aren’t too many Yuzu farmers in America, but there are many in California! You can find yuzu juice, too, and your best bet to find it at an Asian grocery store.
Yuzu has many health benefits, too! It is a great source of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber! It’s also rich in anti-oxidants to help reduce inflammation and it is extremely high in Vitamin C!
Here are some delicious ways to try Yuzu in cocktails!
- Yuzu Margarita: Adding the Yuzu flavor of the cocktail trends of 2024, add yuzu, lime juice, Cointreau, agave, and tequila to make this a tasty summer marg!
- Yuzu Gin Cocktail: Simple ingredients for a refreshing cocktail!
- Classic Yuzu Cocktail: Experience floral and bright fruit flavors with this cocktail!
Foam and Air??
Ever had a Guinness and just wanted to stick your tongue in the foam? No? Just me? Well if I have also described you, foam is a big on the list of cocktail trends for 2024! Making a foam adds texture and visual appeal!
A foam is a type of garnish that sits on top of the drink. You can do this with egg whites in a shaker as an easy application. Egg foam is a very simple and easy one that many of you have probably tried by shaking an egg white in a cocktail shaker and adding to the top of the cocktail.
The more fun and scientific way is to use a whipped cream dispenser and nitrogen cartridges.
Inside your whipped cream dispenser, add egg whites, lemon juice and simple syrup, and finally your flavoring of choice from juices, liquors or cordials! I even have an idea up my sleeve for a salt foam…oooh stay tuned for that this year!!
I have a TON of these cocktails planned for 2024 and I am SO excited to explore the world of the foam and air in cocktail trends this year!
