as vanilla , amaretto and cinnamon , according to Kimpton ’ s annual Culinary + Cocktail Trend Forecast . We ’ ll see fresh takes on the classic cocktails , such as the Sassy Martinez , made with Scotland ’ s Sassenach Spirits , at the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel in Edinburgh .
Pittsburgh restaurant Scratch & Co . has a bold take on the classic Dirty Martini called Style of the Time . It ’ s made with caramelized onion-infused vodka , house-pickled green tomato brine , and blanco vermouth , then garnished with a goat cheese-stuffed olive .
Andrew Cordero , beverage director at Jeune et Jolie , Campfire and Wildland in Carlsbad , CA , is experimenting with “ kombu washing ,” using the edible kelp to add umami and dimension to cocktails .
Spritz-style drinks have also become a year-round menu mainstay , as demand for light , low-alcohol cocktails and interest in Italian aperitivo culture continues . “ The popular cocktails we ’ ve seen on social media tend to lend themselves to brunches and a more ‘ allday ’ mindset ,” says Daniel King , restaurant and bar manager at Evelyn ’ s at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville . “ I think that ’ s why we ’ ve seen spritzes rise in popularity — they have a lower ABV , so they ’ re a bit more guilt-free .”
A new cocktail that plays into both the savory and spritz trends is the Spritzza at New York pizzeria Don Antonio . This “ pizza spritz ” combines Italian red bitters , house-made oregano syrup and lemon ; it ’ s topped with soda and a lambrusco wine floater and garnished with a cherry tomato and olive skewer .
And now , the drink trends for 2025 .
PISTACHIO POWER
AF & Co . and Carbonate ’ s annual hospitality trends report has named pistachio the flavor of the year for 2025 , noting the nut ’ s presence in every type of dish or drink , at every style of restaurant . “ Able to skew salty or sweet , pistachios are perfectly ambidextrous , and made for our Instagram age where color is compelling ,” the report says .
Further proof that pistachio is popping : The New York Times in late 2024 ran an article on the Pistachio Martini , a popular call at restaurants in Boston ’ s North End . Inventive cocktails incorporating the flavor already abound , such as the Cherry Pistachio Old Fashioned at The Scarlett Knife in Latham , NY , made with New Riff bottled-in-bond bourbon , pistachio syrup and Marie Brizard Cherry Jolie syrup .
Bar Snack in New York has a cocktail called Cannoli Pants , made with Lalo tequila , pistachio and raspberry , while Harumi Sushi in Phoenix has a Matcha Martini with pistachio butter-washed Haitian rhum , Iichiko shochu , ceremonial matcha , coconut cream and vanilla cream foam .
Velveteen Rabbit in Las Vegas has a Guavatomic cocktail , with guava-infused vodka , toasted pistachio , pineapple amaro , Cocchi Americano , lemon and a rosemary smoke bubble .
FROSTY MARTINIS
Martini flavors from tomato to espresso will remain popular , but the AF & Co . and Carbonate report has named Freezer Martinis the drink of the year . “ Rather than shaking or stirring it up with other flavors , this trend is all about chilling it down , way down , and serving the drink ice cold ,” the report says .
“ Martinis should always be icy smooth , but they often aren ’ t . Freezer Martinis are problem solvers — prebatched , and stored in freezing temps ,
Top : The Spritzza at New York pizzeria Don Antonio , with Italian red bitters , house-made oregano syrup , lemon , soda , a lambrusco wine floater and a cherry tomato and olive skewer garnish , plays into bother the savory and spritz drink trends . Middle : The Guavatomic cocktail at Velveteen Rabbit in Las Vegas , made with guava-infused vodka , toasted pistachio , pineapple amaro , Cocchi Americano , lemon and a rosemary smoke bubble . Bottom : Yelp ’ s 2025 Trend Forecast also finds that searches on Yelp for mushroom drinks are up 501 % compared to last year , as are searches for mushroom coffee ( up 87 %) and mushroom tea ( up 10 %).
18 Cheers • Spring 2025 www . cheersonline . com