This is the time of year when we take a look at the top 10 cocktail trends of 2020, name the top 10 new spirits and ask key industry figures for their predictions for the upcoming year. With 2020 being what it is, living with a pandemic and adjusting to the new normal, we’re taking a different approach.
Cocktail Trends & Predictions 2020 2021 – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
Cocktail Trends 2020 2021
If 2020 could be defined in one cocktail, it’s the Quarantini, described as “just like a regular Martini but you drink it alone in your home”. No single recipe defines it – our version features vodka and a pantry item – and with the lack of restriction came numerous variations from around the globe, encouraging everyday drinkers to get creative with spirits without any judgement.
The early days of lockdown saw many bars turn to selling merchandising, gift vouchers even food offerings in an effort to stay afloat. Pre-mixed, bottled cocktails and alcohol delivery services became the norm as well as cocktail hampers with all the ingredients needed to mix a top shelf drink. Some bars offered virtual cocktail masterclasses in adjunct, encouraging people to make drinks in the comfort of their home under expert guidance.
The low-and-no category which had seen a rise in very recent years may have taken a back seat during the early days of the pandemic but with the approach of summer and the relaxation of restrictions, new hard seltzers and low ABV drinks came back on the scene packaged under mindful drinking.
The RTD market, once associated with cheap booze and sugary mixers was turned on its head with craft spirits embracing the trend wrapped up in beautiful and innovative packaging.
Distilleries initially turned their hands to hand sanitisers with botanical ingredients; many were given them away to workers in essential services. Of course, it wasn’t all hand sanitisers and innovation in Australian spirits continued with spirits winning coveted awards. One Australian distillery summed up the year perfectly by creating a spirit which gave COVID-19 the middle finger.
Masterclasses, events and product launches took on a different direction with virtual events replacing face to face attendance. Whether it was a gin, whisky or tonic water event, Zoom became a verb and a way of connecting brands with consumers in a virtual and sometimes lonesome world. Bartender education moved from bars to online with many offering free online courses with certification.
The New Normal
The new normal may be with us for some time as social distancing, hand sanitising and mandatory check-ins in bars and venues become second nature but that’s a minute price to pay when casting our eyes towards 2021.
Our world may have shrunk and we’ve become less global but it has made us look more local and drink more local. And if the recent Sydney Gin Palooza is any indication, we should see a lot more innovation in spirits and distilleries particularly on the local front.
Online events and masterclasses may be here to stay but they are no substitute for face to face and come with their own limitations. From the odd tainted spirit bottle that was sent, to the lack of private interaction with the guest presenters, there is no substitute for human contact, the sharing of knowledge and real social connection, glass in hand.
And now that we’ve all mastered the holy trinity of the Martini, Negroni and Espresso Martini in our own homes, we long for a taste of cocktail innovation in bars and we are highly confident that our talented bartenders can deliver. We’re (over) done with watching videos of bartenders mixing drinks on social media and long to take a COVID-safe seat at their bars, listen to their bar chat and watch them skilfully mix us a drink.
And we’ll drink to that in 2021.
