Welcome 2025! The month of January not only marks the beginning of a new year, but also an opportunity for beverage consultants and wine and cocktail businesses like mine to look at what’s trending in the drinking world and pass it onto consumers. Whether it be the ever-growing world of mocktails/low ABV/non-alcoholic cocktails, spirit-less spirits, experimental and up and coming wines, specifically from lesser-known regions, new spirits, or bar trends, look for these drink trends to pop up in 2025.
The year of 2024 saw the continued uptick of spritzers comprised of bitter and herbal elixirs and specialty Martinis, like the Espresso Martini (not really a martini in the classic sense), Dirty Martini, and whatever you can find to throw into a martini glass. This trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. There was also a substantial increase in mocktails, creative no-and low-ABV requests and on drink menus, carbonated, bubbly, coffee cocktails, and high-priced cocktails, wines by the glass and by the bottle, especially in high end restaurants.
And it’s possible that prices might further spike with the new administration’s pending tariffs. Going out to drink is already pretty expensive. We suspect that this new reality and economic factors will determine how and when we go out, and whether or not we choose to drink at a restaurant at all. Why not stay at home with friends and co-workers for a cocktail hour, wine tasting, party, or dinner and choose “The Michael Pour”, a less expensive, much safer, more convenient option with exceptional customer service. No sticker shock, avoid traffic, exorbitant parking fees, and unpredictable bad weather in CNY.
The Michael Pour and I sincerely hope for a successful campaign in 2025 by providing you with excellent, useful, and informative content on the blog and top-shelf, comprehensive, and dynamic wine and cocktail services for your parties, events, dinner parties, company events, and special get-togethers. Please reach out to learn more at michael@michaelpour.com. 717.877.2729, or contact form on the site. Even though we are based in Syracuse and Central NY, we provide virtual and in-person services near and far.
Okay, back to The Martini. People in the industry as well as new drinkers have joined in the martini craze. Gin or vodka, an olive or lemon twist, shaken or stirred, wet or dry, or ‘on the rocks’ have been ordered. Bars have been getting creative and coming up with their own concoctions. Many of these martinis are incorporating gastronomy (science of food) with infusions and the use of herbs, spices, and food products from the kitchen. Will we see new takes on other classic martinis, like the Gimlet, Gibson, and Vesper?
Mindful drinking has been on the rise over the last several years. Hence, the addition of mocktails to cocktail menus. Although many drinkers have good intentions of drinking in moderation, there’s a new trend circulating that may be more effective in promoting moderation in 2025. The term “zebra striping,” as people are now calling it, is a strategy that involves subbing a non-alcoholic beverage between each alcoholic drink. Sipping an entire glass of water or a club soda with lime between cocktails is a great way to stay hydrated and avoid the dreaded hangover. Don’t be surprised when you hear bar guests or people announcing they are zebra striping at your next party.
While small-production artisanal spirits spiked during the pandemic, but the category niche has seen a significant slowdown, as sales declined in 2024 for the first time in many years. The outlook for these brands in 2025 is unclear with continued issues in the supply chain and high interest rates. Plus, as consumers start to feel the effects of rising prices, they might opt for bigger, well-known brands on the shelf.
Tourism in Japan reached record highs in 2024. With many U.S. travelers returning from recent trips to the country, we expect more drinkers will be eager to imbibe on sake more often than just at the sushi counter. Wine experts have been advocating to have sake placed alongside wine on restaurant menus. Some big city raw bars and bistros are featuring it now, even by the glass, and most likely will stick.
Red wine’s long reign over white wine may come to an end. While Cab, Merlot, and other reds got a boost in popularity from its health benefits and high antioxidant content, red wine’s health impact has subsided and drinkers are now looking to its lighter, lower-ABV counterparts like white wine. Big production and commercial wine companies are acquiring more traditional white wine producers to meet this trend.
Shots and shooters are starting to appear in more high-end and fine dining restaurants as a more casual, more playful way for guests to start a meal or to end a meal with dessert. Sweet shots to pair with desserts are becoming an alternative to hot spiked coffees, ports, sherries, and spirits on the rocks. As more diners look for restaurants to provide a full night-out experience for them, expect more “fancy” restaurants to have a little fun with shots.
Other notable trends – Guinness draft is on the rise in the beer world becoming more accessible in different types of watering holes and restaurants. Coffee as a main ingredient in everything from beer, cocktails, Martinis, Manhattans, and Old-Fashioneds.
Cheers,
Michael Nagy
michael@michaelpour.com