Cocktail Trends to Look Out for in the new year

Like fashion and food, the landscape of cocktails is largely predicted by popular trends. Thanks to the resurgence of tiki drinks such as the Jungle Bird, refined disco sips like the Harvey Wallbanger, and anything and everything made with mezcal, it’s been an exciting time for liquor lovers. Here are three trends that have shaped the cocktail world in recent years.

Tiki Cocktails Tiki cocktails made a major comeback, with recipes that were formerly deemed overly sweet getting retooled with premium spirits and more balanced proportions. Drinks that were once popular in the 1930s and ‘40s came back full swing. What’s more, you don’t have to walk through a bamboo door toward a waiter wearing a Hawaiian-print shirt to get a tropical drink.

Refined tiki creations can and will continue to be found at many craft cocktail bars, listed right alongside other classics like the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned.

Japanese Gin Japan wouldn’t have been the first place you’d think to look when shopping for whisky a decade ago, but the country has made waves in the spirit world and people have taken notice. Home to award-winning whisky labels like Nikka and Suntory, Japan has been churning out gins from these same brands that rival those from the UK. Get your hands on some yuzu, pepper, and green tea-laced gin — you won’t be disappointed.

Sherry-Based Cocktails For many, the thought of sherry brings to mind an old dusty bottle sitting in their grandmother’s cupboard that hasn’t been opened for years. What was once considered one of the world’s best and most versatile wines, sherry has become widely misunderstood in recent decades due to an influx of cheap and cloyingly sweet blends. But all of that is changing.

Thanks to a focus on small bodegas producing tiny batches, along with increased interest in artisanal wines, sherry has regained popularity. Expect to see it pop up on liquor menus all across the world, proving itself to be equally enjoyable when served straight or mixed into a cocktail.

What cocktail trends are you most excited to explore?

No matter which cocktail trends catch your eye, the best way to stay ahead of the curve is to experiment at home. Try searching for tiki drinks, sherry cocktails, and more on Cocktail Builder and see which recipes match the spirits in your collection.

Last modified on July 3, 2026