The travel enthusiasm of cocktail aficionados is changing cocktail culture. More and more bars are transporting their guests across the continents and even eras from the comfort of their venues, by recreating the carefree feel of trips abroad all year round. In 2024, consumers are seeking to indulge the tastes of far-off lands and embark on a journey through flavours and destinations.
There’s so much room for creativity with this important industry trend. This drive is encouraging an increase in light and refreshing cocktails that are elevated by NoLo spirits and unexpected ingredients. Tiki is one obvious way to bring the taste of foreign lands to your venue. With a refreshing cocktail in hand, guests will feel that they’ve been transported to an exotic locale with just one sip.
Local cuisine has always been a draw for those who love to travel, and now, it’s influencing the drinks scene more than ever. Many bars are now bringing the bustling streets of Paris or the tranquil shores of Spain to the UK through classic cocktails infused with European flavours.
Expect to see increasing use of exotic flavours like olive oil, calamansi, pomelo, and guava are also making waves in the drinks world. These lesser-seen ingredients are set to replace the classics of lemon, lime, and grapefruit as garnishes in classic drinks such as Gin & Tonic, which is the drink of choice for 24% of UK respondents in the Bacardi Global Consumer Survey.
With worldly experiences firmly on the agenda, consumers aren’t just looking to get away, they’re desiring picturesque, interesting, and refreshing drinking experiences wherever they are.
