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The Most Popular Cocktail Trends of 2024

The Most Popular Cocktail Trends of 2024


Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld once said, “trendy is the last stage before tacky.” 

He also made lots of problematic comments about weight, the #MeToo movement, gay marriage and other hot-button topics.

So, while the German-born designer was known for cutting-edge approach to style, maybe this is one of those opinions to take with a grain of salt. 

Here, at Wine Enthusiast, we appreciate trends. 

Whether its Tiktok viral (see: the Negroni Sbagliato, Parmesan espresso martini and the Mistletoe Margarita) or the new “It” drink on cocktail menus across the country, we pride ourselves on staying abreast of the latest beverage trends. And we aim to call out these crazes before they catch on with the mainstream, as we’ve done with the rise of happy hour (even in Paris!), all things agave, low-proof cocktails moving from the sidelines into the norm and much much more. 

Now that we’ve reached the point of time where we’re evaluating everything that’s happened over the past 365 days, we’ve decided to take a look at our most heavily trafficked stories to see what drink trends actually caught on over the past year.

Some seem obvious, such as the continued growth of low- and zero-abv cocktails and the ever increasing climb of caffeinated adult beverages. Others are less so, like the return of the throwback drink, prior to the changing tastes of the modern cocktail renaissance, when brightly colored saccharine sweet drinks reigned supreme (okay, maybe Lagerfeld was onto something). 

So, what, exactly, were the biggest drink trends to define 2024? Take a look below.


Clarified Milk Punches

This recent revival lands on the list of drink trends that are surprising. 

Clarification—a process by which a normally cloudy cocktail component is rendered clear—made a comeback during the craft cocktail movement of the early 21st century. But the technique and its use in milk punch dates back centuries, appearing in London in the 1600s, writes historian David Wondrich, author of Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl. A recipe also appeared in Jerry Thomas’s seminal 1862 Bartenders Guide book.

This beginner’s guide to clarified milk punch was our most heavily trafficked recipe story of the year, featuring four different variations of the drink, such as the key lime pie-inspired Florida Man cocktail. 

Why, you ask? Probably because the added texture and body goes well beyond the regular cocktail norm—making the planning ahead well worth the time.

Scotch and Soda
Stocksy

Highballs

Next up in terms of most-read stories is this roundup of highballs. These fast, easy-to-pour drinks are most often made with whiskey but can be mixed with any type of spirit that fits the mood. 

Traditionally composed of 1.5 to 2 ounces of spirits topped with a carbonated beverage—like ginger beer, seltzer or other soda—over ice, this category of cocktail gets its name from the tall, thin highball glass in which it’s served. “It’s one of the broadest categories of mixed drinks,” says Anthony Caporale, director of spirits education at the Institute of Culinary Education. 

These ever-popular drinks are some of the simplest to make at home, like the perennial favorite Scotch and soda (no explanation required).

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Celine Dijon Cocktail / Photo by Tom Arena

Savory Cocktails

It seems the moment for savory cocktails continues to live on. Briny martinis, mustard-scented margaritas and carrot-heavy concoctions are still extremely popular, according to internet searches. 

Industry data backs this up our findings even further: The Bacardi Brand Ambassador Survey reports interest in savory flavors growing by 20% and herbaceous flavors rising 15% in North America. And nearly three-quarters (71%) of bartenders draw inspiration from the culinary arts when creating drinks.

“The focus is shifting from food and drink pairings to fully-fledged translations,” the Bacardi report says, “where the line between food and drink becomes increasingly blurred.” 

A perfect example is the delicious but strange-sounding Celine Dijon, a tequila-based blend of  Sauvignon Blanc with passionfruit dijon syrup and a hint of olive oil. 

NA Anyway Spiritless Whiskey Sour
Non-Alcoholic Spiritless “Whiskey” Sour Cocktail / Photo by Sarah Anne Ward / Prop Styling by Paola Andrea / Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero

Low and No-ABV Cocktails

It’s no secret that as the movement toward moderation has carried on, no- and low-alcohol drinks have gone fully mainstream. And, it seems, this swing has swung beyond the mocktail menu of bars. Internet denizens have been seeking out lower-alcohol recipes to mix up at home, such as the Non-Alcoholic Spiritless Whiskey Sour Cocktail with NA bourbon, ginger syrup, egg white and fresh lemon juice.

Grinch Cocktail
Photography by Ali Redmond

Champagne and Sparkling Wine Cocktails

Lookout mimosa, these days sparkling wine cocktails go well beyond the two-ingredient brunch staple. 

Like many of the trends that proved themselves legit this year, this one isn’t exactly a surprise. The growth of bubbly-based cocktails, like the bright green Grinch, builds off both the low-abv movement and the increasing popularity of sparklers in general. 

While the category took a bit of a tumble (like wine consumption in general), sparkling wine has been growing consistently for the past two decades, according to The Beverage Information Group’s 2024 Industry Overview.

Feel free to use whatever bottle of bubbles you want, but if you’re anything like Wine Enthusiast Tasting Director Anna-Christina Cabrales, you’ll probably want to steer clear of actual Champagne. “So much energy and time goes into making beautiful expressions and adding a drop or a few ounces of O.J. [or other additives] just feels like I’m taking away from that craftsmanship,” she says.

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Aperol Spritz cocktail with an orange and white straw
tbralnina / Getty Images

Prosecco-Based Spritzes

Yes, the spritz does fall under the category of sparkling wine cocktail. But this subcategory of mixed drinks, which more often than not highlights Italian Prosecco, has grown so much in recent years, it deserves its own special mention. 

According to a study by hospitality research firm CGA early last year, spritz sales 

skyrocketed threefold in restaurants and bars across the United States, jumping eight spots to become the seventh-most popular cocktail of choice, beating out heavy hitters like the espresso martini and the bellini.

While there’s no going wrong with any bubbly-based drink, you might as well add a classic Aperol Spritz to your at home repertoire. 

bushwhacker cocktail
Photography by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Drew Aichele

Caffeinated Cocktails

Though diners may be ordering more spritzes than espresso martinis at restaurants and bars, the modern coffee-based classic was mentioned for a reason. It’s still popular as hell. However, it’s also been joined by a slew of other caffeinated adult beverages. 

Last year, the two-ingredient Carajillo, which originated in Spain, was slated as the cocktail of the year. According to Yelp’s 2024 Food & Drink Trends report, searches for the term skyrocketed 118% this year. But it wasn’t the only coffee-tinged concoction to rise up the ranks of internet popularity. The Bushwhacker, essentially a boozy, coffee-spiked milkshake, was one of our most popular recipes of the year.

An espresso Martini on a yellow nd brown background
Stocksy

Return of the Throwback Drink

In case you haven’t noticed the resurgence of JNCOs, lowrise jeans and choker necklaces amongst the youths, we’re here to tell you that everything ’90s and Y2K is back in fashion—cocktails included. 

The Cosmo got a makeover. So, did the lychee martini and Midori sour. And we’ve already gone over the return and subsequent staying power of the espresso martini. Also worth noting is our stories on the drinks that defined the ’90s and cocktails inspired by Y2K fashions were also big hits with readers last year.  


More Cocktail Coverage

  • 15 hot cocktails to help you survive the winter.
  • 13 Christmas cocktails for boosting holiday spirits.
  • Or find holiday inspiration from side dishes with these Thanksgiving-themed drinks.
  • These 22 apple cocktails are great for fall—or whenever.
  • Travel back to the “disco days” with this Harvey Wallbanger recipe.

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