Fire & Ice
Green Knight
ing garnishes this year . AF & Co . and Carbonate ’ s annual hospitality trends report foresees restaurants getting particularly creative with flight presentations . .
“ Dramatic yet practical towers of wine and cocktail holders ( called ‘ trees ’ by some ) allow servers to deliver three glasses or more to the table at once , bringing an element of fun to the whole table and catching the eye of those nearby ,” the report says .
Kimpton ’ s Culinary + Cocktail Trend Forecast predicts textured cocktails for the senses . “ Rose and pistachio dust , dragon fruit crisp and edible helium bubble clouds are some of the sensory ingredients diners will soon find on bar menus in 2024 to add texture and visual appeal to the liquid base ,” the report notes .
As for garnishes : “ From snap peas to using 3D printers , simple garnishes will evolve to elaborate final flourishes that completely transform a cocktail from salty and savory to citrusy and bright in an instant .”
For example , the Fire & Ice cocktail at the Kimpton Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara , CA , made with mezcal , Cocchi Americano , grapefruit , blood orange and Campari granite and cinnamon , is garnished with grapefruit and charred cinnamon .
Savory Martinis
Reviews site Yelp says that we should expect to see a drastic increase in savory Martini options , such as Truffle Martinis and Parmesan Martinis , with searches up 131 %. AF & Co . and
Carbonate listed cheese cocktails one of the year ’ s drink trends . “ The range of use is great — from sweet , creamy cheese foam garnishing a cocktail to hard cheese grated on top or even infused within spirits ,” the report says . “ However cheese is used , it adds a savory quality and fatty richness that round out a cocktail ’ s flavors .”
In fact , they are so confident in the savory Martini trend that AF & Co . and Carbonate have named the Caprese Martini their drink of the year . Jac ’ s On Bond in New York makes one with Grey Goose vodka , Lustau Blanco , balsamic vinegar , a pinch of salt , and garnished with skewered cherry tomatoes ;
Casaléna in Los Angeles has a Caprese Martini with gin , tomato , basil , vermouth and tomato celery bitters . Lulla in New York offers a Caprese Sbagliato , a vegetal take on a traditional Sbagliato , mixing Nepeta amaro , house-made caprese shub , Cynar amaro and prosecco .
“ Creative bartenders have long incorporated vegetables in their cocktails ( think cucumbers , peppers and the Bloody Mary ), but I think less-common vegetables like beets , sea kelp , carrots , ube and edamame are starting to be more of a trend ,” says John Stanton , director of beverage at Hotel Per La ( Bar Clara and Ristorante Per L ’ Ora ) in Los Angeles . “ Spirits that accentuate those vegetal and mineral flavors , like sotol , aquavit and of course mezcal , seem to be rising with that trend .”
Mixologists across the Kimpton portfolio will bring the savory by incorporating different types of fat washing to elevate cocktails that will “ shock and delight ,” the company ’ s report
Left to right : The Caprese Martini at Jac ’ s On Bond in New York , with Grey Goose vodka , Lustau Blanco , balsamic vinegar , a pinch of salt , and garnished with skewered cherry tomatoes . 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 . The Fire & Ice mezcal cocktail at the Kimpton Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara , CA , garnished with grapefruit and charred cinnamon . A tea cocktail called Green Knight uses Chivas Regal Scotch with Malibu Rum , Kashmiri green tea , lime juice and honey syrup .
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