Surprising trends and what’s changing.
By Christy Simo
Whether it’s wine and beer, cocktails or coffee and tea, every beverage sector is seeing shifts in guest preferences with experts predicting several trends in response.
The wine industry is seeing a seismic change in response to changing preferences and a new generation’s values. Larger issues like supply chain challenges and a turn toward more health-conscious habits are also impacting what people choose to drink. While beer sales are up these days overall, what people are drinking is changing. Guests are increasingly choosing lighter beers like lagers, low-ABV brews and fruited sour beers over IPAs.
Not surprisingly, after years of people muddling mixes at home, cocktails are big on restaurant menus once again. And in the face of so much uncertainty in today’s world, nostalgia and anything that brings a sense of levity to the table will be big this year.
There’s comfort in familiarity, so retro cocktails are popular. Playful drinks inspired by childhood treats, cocktails with whimsical garnishes and anything that sparkles and shines will be in demand this year with guests. Pink drinks – think bubblegum flavors, funfetti and fruit infusions – will bring joy and delight. Frozen slushie takes on classic cocktails, like a frozen negroni, will be crowd pleasers in the summer heat.
The wellness trend is affecting cocktails, too, with half-proof drinks like spritzers and shandys growing in popularity in the next year. And look for the blending of more global influences and adding briny and fermented touches like pickle juice and mushrooms to the glass.
Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails continue to sell well. In fact, they’re one of the fastest-growing consumer trends in alcoholic beverages overall, with an expected growth rate of 11.2% by 2030. Experts also expect tequila and mezcal to continue to rise in demand, fueled in part by the popularity of the Texan drink Ranch water – a mix of tequila, lime juice and sparkling water.
As for non-alcoholic beverages, cold coffee will continue to reign supreme, with protein coffee – a recent TikTok trend that mixes coffee with a pre-made protein shake – showing up on more menus, too. Kombucha will continue to become more mainstream thanks to its probiotic kick, and look for more Moringa, Pu-erh and honey bush teas as menu options as well.
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