Caprese Martini
Superbueno Cocktail
BEVERAGE TRENDS FOR 2024
by MELISSA DOWLING
rend picks and predictions for 2024 began rolling in late last year , and we ’ ve poured over numerous reports . One thing everyone seems to agree with : No- / lo- alcohol drinks are here to stay .
Not only are they expected to increase this year , spirit-free drinks are now or will be part of the year-round beverage lineups rather than Dry January or Sober October specials . We suspect there will always be an uptick in mocktail offerings in January , however .
Another obvious trend is the rise ready-to-drink ( RTD ) cocktails . They will keep on coming in 2024 , but as with the hard seltzer boom of a few years ago , the market can ’ t support them all , and the impact of RTDs on the on-premise is still unclear .
“ A new generation is awakening to the idea that a good time doesn ’ t necessarily require a buzz . As a result , the demand for non-alcoholic spirits and ready-to-drink beverages is expected not just to persist but likely to double in both availability and
menu prominence by 2024 ,” says Niko Novick , executive of beverage for event space Spiegelworld , with locations in Las Vegas , Atlantic City , NJ , and Nipton , CA .
Several trend watchers predict that Latin American flavors will influence menus and cocktails . Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants ’ annual Culinary + Cocktail Trend Forecast cites the rise of Latin American spirits and liquors such as aguariente , singani and cocuy , served within craft cocktails or enjoyed on the rocks .
Gourmet flavorings supplier Monin says to expect to see region-specific flavors such as mezcal , tepache and falernum become more popular . The National Restaurant Association ’ s 2024 What ’ s Hot Culinary Forecast also flags tepache ( a Mexican beverage brewed with fermented pineapples ) as an emerging trend . For instance , De La Calle Cócteles , a line of RTDs launched in March 2023 , combine tequila and tepache .
Superbueno , a Mexican American cocktail bar in New York , offers a large-format tepeche-style drink that serves four and is made with tequila , shochu , fermented cucumbers , yuzu and chili de arbol . “ I think we ’ ll see more people play with different spirits from Mexico beyond agave , like fruit-based eau de vies , charandas and some other more indigenous / pre-Hispanic spirits and techniques ,” says Nacho Jimenez , co-owner of Superbueno .
Here are seven more beverage / on-premise trends to look for this year .
Palatable Presentations .
Whether it ’ s the Instagram potential or the me-too effect on drink orders , look for unique glassware and eye-catch-
10 Cheers • Spring 2024 www . cheersonline . com