When we talk about cocktails, we always have a triad that supports the scene: bartenders, classic cocktails and signature cocktails.
Bartenders They are true “storytellers”, offering an experience that goes beyond the drink itself, telling the story of each ingredient and involving customers in the entire process.
Classics These are the cocktails you always expect to find on a menu and in good bars. They will always be quite similar: Negroni, Manhattan, Dry Martini, among other well-known names. These never go out of style, they are timeless.
Already the signature cocktails has always sought transformations in order to reflect the demands of the market and customers, which change with each generation. We have had several trends over the years and few have consolidated, although one or another drink has become a “classic”.
Trends for 2025
By 2025, I understand that bars will try to bring more conscious, sustainable and innovative experiences . Fruit peels, seeds and other by-products that were previously discarded are being reused in creations, such as homemade syrups and bitters.
In our country, this trend is amplified by the vast biodiversity. Ingredients native to the Amazon, such as cupuaçu, jambu and priprioca, have gained prominence in bars in cities such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Establishments such as Tan Tan and the Picco in the capital of São Paulo, have adopted practices “zero waste ” and used local ingredients sustainably, creating cocktails that respect the environment without sacrificing flavor.
A growing trend outside Brazil is non-alcoholic cocktails based on products that resemble the original, such as those from the British brand Seedlip. We do not currently have this line of products on our shelves, but bars in São Paulo such as Guardhouse and the SubAstor are exploring refreshing and complex low-alcohol cocktails or “mocktails” – alcohol-free creations, in line with the growing demand for healthier drinks adapted to a conscious lifestyle.
The proximity between bars and small producers is also a growing trend, with “farm to bar” initiatives that promote the use of organic and fresh ingredients directly from the source, creating a more ethical and sustainable supply chain.
Culinary techniques and technology
Now, something that will certainly be part of bars in 2025 is the adaptation of culinary techniques and the use of technology . High-end cocktail bars already use centrifuges, vacuum infusion machines and 3D printers to create drinks with complex and visually appealing layers.
The introduction of technology not only improves efficiency, but also allows for a new layer of creativity, transforming cocktails into true works of art and allowing for the full use of ingredients, without waste.
This may not be visible to the customer at first, but it will certainly be felt on the palate, where new flavors and textures appear and enrich the experience. Bars like The Liquor Store and the Excellent in São Paulo, are at the forefront of this trend.
Whether it’s your good and correct Old Fashioned or your signature drink made with cambuci, uvaia and coconut, I see the year 2025 with good glasses, I mean, eyes for those who frequent the scene and expect new things – and obviously a good drink. Cheers!
About Marcelo Cury
A physician, critic and consultant in the beverage market, Marcelo Cury worked as a regular columnist for Playboy, Gosto and Carbono magazines. He also contributed to important Brazilian publications, such as VIP, GQ and Prazeres da Mesa magazines, and to the newspapers Folha de São Paulo and Estadão. In his Instagram profileMarcelo shares the cocktails he enjoys in different bars, mainly in São Paulo.
Consumption of canned cachaça has grown by 44% in the last decade
The post What are the cocktail trends for 2025? Expert explains appeared first on CNN Brasil V&G.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
