What will you be drinking this summer? Last year it was all about White Claw. Is there a new contender this summer for Cocktail of the The Moment? And will it come in a can? Our correspondent Jillian Tangen has the scoop on the top trends in 2021 summer cocktails, including sparkling wine, spirits from Japan and non-alcoholic party drinks.
What are the top new trends to know about in 2021 summer cocktails?
Summer’s finally here. And after the past year or so that we’ve had, we’re banking on it being a good one.
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Finally we can safely enjoy trips to the beach, outdoor parties and BBQ’s with family and friends. We think that calls for a drink or two to celebrate. But after spending more than a year away from any sort of bar, where do we even start?
The top new trends to love in 2021 summer cocktails.
We had a chance to catch up with Brian Evans, the Director of Bars at Sunday Hospitality, the group behind popular indie restaurants like Sunday in Brooklyn and Rule of Thirds in Brooklyn and Sibling Rivalry and Pilot in Los Angeles, to get the scoop on the summer 2021 cocktail scene.
Brian Evans, Director of Bars at Sunday Hospitality. Courtesy Photo.
According to Evans, post pandemic cocktails are all about familiar fruity flavors, breaking the rules and most importantly, just having fun.
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So what else do you need to know when it comes to toasting the summer ahead? Ahead, find the top trends in summer cocktails, plus a few of Evan’s must-have items for stocking your bar.
Break out the glasses, it’s finally time to celebrate.
What are the top trends in post-pandemic summer cocktails?
1. drinking what you like, when you like
The world of cocktails has become more casual since the pandemic. Gone are the rules of drinks being served solely as an aperitif. The old rules of pairing wines with your meal have been thrown out the window. Instead, opt to imbibe in what you enjoy. If that means pairing a burger with a negroni or sake with steak, then go for it!
The top new trends to love in 2021 summer cocktails.
2. enjoy tropical tastes year round
After being stuck at home for more than a year, people are ready to throw away old seasonal traditions. Tropical drinks are now a year round delicacy. According to Evans, summer classics like Margaritas have become some of the most popular off menu cocktails ordered since as far back as March. Why wait for summer when you can have a spicy margarita any time you want?
3. familiar flavors
People aren’t just turning to the classic drinks they know, but also to flavor profiles they are familiar with too. Evans explained to us that interest in new cocktails has become less about the spirits and more about the flavors being infused. Customers are eager for familiar fruits like mango, citrus and berry that remind them of good times from years past.
Top trends in post-pandemic Summer cocktails. Courtesy Photo.
4. have more fun
Before people had to stay at home, cocktails were a serious business. Now they’re all about helping people have fun. Slushy drinks like frosé, frozen cocktail popsicles and even colorful to-go cocktails are ready to keep everyone’s mood boosted.
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5. more low and no alcohol offerings
One of the trends seeing the biggest growth in popularity is low abv cocktails – drinks with a lower or no alcohol content. Whether it’s because people are looking for lower calorie options or they have become more mindful of their consumption, low and no abv drinks are everywhere – from bar menus to liquor store shelves. Booze-free versions of all sorts of spirits – gin, whiskey, rum – are exploding in popularity. Evans stocks Sunday’s bars with Lyre’s non alcoholic spirits.
Top trends in post-pandemic Summer cocktails: Lyre’s. Courtesy Photo.
Now that you know what to order, what should you be serving at your next BBQ? Evan had five suggestions for shaking up your home bar.
1. tequila
A tequila like El Tesoro Blanco Tequila ($46) is always a crowd pleaser and mixes well with a variety of things.
Top trends in post-pandemic Summer cocktails: El Tesoro Blanco. Courtesy Photo.
2. watermelon juice
Watermelon juice is an unexpected, yet familiar and refreshing mix-in that can be used with almost any type of spirit – from tequila to gin and vodka.
3. sparkling wine
After a year like we’ve had, your next party definitely calls for bubbles, right? We’re thinking this prosecco and rosé combination from Bisol Jeio Cuvee Rose ($17) might be nice.
4. a spirit free spirit: non-alcoholic party drinks
Consider a non-alcoholic spirit like Lyre’s London Dry Gin ($36) to keep things interesting for those abstaining from alcohol. It pairs well with the watermelon or with tonic and is a nice change from the standard sparkling water, juice or soda.
Top new trends in Summer 2021 cocktails and non-alcoholic party drinks. London Dry Gin. Courtesy Photo.
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5. shochu
Evans suggests trying a new spirit like Japanese Shochu. Not only is it fun to try new things, but it gives your guests something to talk about. Mesh & Bone’s Sochu ($35) is multifaceted and makes a great alternative to vodka. Try it on the rocks, topped with soda or, you guessed it, with the watermelon juice.
Top new trends in Summer 2021 cocktails and non-alcoholic party drinks. Mesh & Bone Sochu. Courtesy Photo.
What are the top trends in post-pandemic summer cocktails?
That’s our take on the top new trends best to know about in 2021 summer cocktails, including sparkling wine, spirits from Japan and non-alcoholic party drinks. Now you’ve got everything you need to know to celebrate summer 2021 in style. Cheers!
join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Newsletter here. And see luxury in a new light.
This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.
