2026

Cocktail

TRENDSREPORT

PRESENTEDBYBACARDILIMITED

INASSOCIATIONWITHTHEFUTURELABORATORY

CONTENTS

PAGE3

INTRODUCTION

Page

ATASTEOFEXCESS

EXPERIENTIALOPULENCE

FANTASTICALFLAVORS

PAGE27

PAGE4

AfCtROSNE

NEWRHYTHMS,NEWROUTINES

SNACKABLESIPS

RITUALREFRESHMENTS

PAGE19

MACROTRENDFOUR:

PAGE9

MACROTRENDTWO:

RewildingConnection

COMMUNITYCRAVINGS

PEOPLE-FIRSTPLACEMAKING

ICE-BREAKERSERVES

PAGE14

MACROTRENDTHREE:

NewLocalogy

PROVENANCEPROTOCOLS

LIVINGLABORATORIES

TheLiquidExperienceIP

PREMIUMINFLUENCE

LIVINGCOCKTAILS

THEMENUASMEDIUM

PAGE23

MATNMDFe:Mixology

CONCLUSION

INGREDIENTSWORKHARDER

INTRODUCTION

In2026,cocktailculturerefusestostaybehindthebar.Onceboundbyvenuesandoccasions,itisnowbeingmixed,remixed,andreimagined–spillingintonewspaces,formats,andevenmomentsintime.

Emerginggenerations,withtheir

instinctforcuratingexperienceson

theirownterms,aredrivingthis

evolution.Brandsarerespondingbyrewritingtherulesofwhenandwherecocktailsareenjoyed,shiftingthe

emphasistowardthequestionsof

whatisbeingsippedandwithwhom.

Asconsumersrenegotiatetheirspendinginacomplexeconomicclimate,cocktailsremainaresilientsiteofexpression,

connection,andcreativity.AttheheartofthischangeareGenZersoflegal

drinkingage(LDA),acohortentering

newphasesoffinancialindependenceandbringingwiththemnewvalues,

andagrowingconfidenceinhowtheydirecttheirspendingpower.Their

expectationsarediferent:community,lexibility,andplayfulluxurysitat

thecoreoftheirchoices,inspiringinnovationbeyondtheircohort.

Shunningthe“sobergeneration”

label,GenZers’coming-of-agesocialritualsarefindingtheirrhythm–withcocktailculturefirmlyontheagenda.Bacardiresearchshowstheirspend

nowmatchestheaverageacross

cohorts,butit’stheirnewvaluesandbehaviorsthatarereshapinghowtheychoosetodrink,notlimitingit.

Theresultisacategorypoisedforexpansion,asconsumerslookforcocktailsthatofermorethanlavorandinsteadserveupcomplete

experiences.Whetherit’senrichedconnections,unexpectedmomentstocelebrate,ornewculturesto

enjoy:thefocusisondeliveringvaluebeyondlavoralone.

Forgetdownturns–therealstoryfor

cocktailsandpremiumspiritsiscenteredondiversification.Frommarketsto

moments,consumersarereimaginingtheirconnectionwithcocktailcultureanddrinksbrandsentirely.

Aswelooktothefuture,thisshiftmeansthatcocktailsarenolongerlinkedtoanyoneparticulartimeorplace,butratheraportfolioofpossibilities,adaptingluidlyto

meetconsumersmoods,values,andlifestyles.

Inthisreport,BacardiLimited,

theworld’slargestprivatelyheld

internationalspiritscompany,unpacksthekeytrendssettoshapeanew

eraforcocktailcultureandthespirits

“Brandsaredelvingbeyond

traditionalfrontierstocapture

consumers'attentionandtheirspend.Truevaluefortoday’sconsumers

meansappearingacrossthemanytouchpointsandoccasionsthey

inhabit,deliveringexperiencesthatmirrorandmoldtheirtastes,values,andinterestsbeyondthesector.”

MartinRaymond,TheFutureLaboratory,Co-Founder

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

businessin2026.Thisreport

–theseventhannualedition

–createdincollaboration

withstrategicforesight

consultancyTheFuture

Laboratory,drawsoninsightsfromBacardi-ledconsumerandbrandambassador

surveys,interviewswiththebarandrestauranttrade,

andTheFutureLaboratory’sindependentresearch.

MACROTRENDONE:

AFTERNOON

Ashybridroutinessettleandofficerhythmsreturn,anewdrinking

ritualisrisingtomeetthe

moment:thedaycap.Swapping

thetraditionalnightcapforalateafternoontreat,today’sconsumers–especiallyGenZ–areembracinglighter,earlierindulgencesthat

alignwiththeirevolvinglifestyles.ThinkThursdayhappyhours,slow-pacedafternoonparties,anddrinksthatcomplement–notderail–therestoftheday.

Ratherthandrinkingless,LDAGenZissimplydrinkingdiferently,pavingthewayforsmaller,sweeter,and

mood-drivenpleasures–from

low-ABVspritzestodessert-inspired

cocktails–formingpartofthenewera’sburgeoning“sweettreateconomy.”

Ascircadianrhythmsrecalibrate,

thedaycaplookssettokeeppacewiththenightcap,championingbalance,

micro-celebration,andafreshsenseofwhatfeels"earned."

hh

“Forthisnewcohort,indulgence

doesn’tmeanexcess–itmeans

intention.”SeanKerry,VicePresidentforGlobalOn-Trade,Bacardi

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

√eⅣ叉αwtin以

withpost-workbookingscomingout

ontop.IntheUK,theaveragedinnerreservationnowsitsat6:12p.m.,withjust2%bookingsmadeforafter9p.m.1

Thisshiftsignalsthearrivalofthe

daycap–theafternoonandearlier

eveninganswertococktailindulgence.

It’sapreferencesettogaintraction

for2026,wherearoundone-thirdofconsumersinGermany,Spain,Canada,andtheUKaresettooptfortheserve.

TheNetherlandsismoreenthusiasticstill,wherenearlyhalfofGenZaremorelikelytooptforthedaycap

overthetraditionalnightcap.

Brandsandvenuesarejumpingon

board–matchingthemoodwith

oferingsthatspeaktoearlieroccasions.

ANGEL’SENVY?daycapofersaplayfultwistonaclassic,combiningwhiskey,peachsyrup,andsparklinglemonade.

Meanwhile,Michelin?-starrestaurantPortlandinLondonhasadedicatedmenufortheafternoonsociety–

spotlightingafour-coursesetmenubetween5:30p.m.and6:30p.m.

Originallyacelebrationofthevenue’s10-yearanniversary,it’snowafirmfeaturethankstoitspopularity.

Forgetthe“sobergeneration”label

–GenZersarestillenjoyingcocktail

serves,justontheirterms.While

theiralcoholspendmatches

otheragegroups,theirhabits

relectaculturalshift:earlier

evenings,mindfulindulgence,andcasualimbibing.With

cocktailmomentsstarting

sooner,brandsandservice

modelsareevolvingtomatch,makingthemostofpost-workhappyhoursanda“ThursdayisthenewFriday”mindset.

Acrossregions,peopleare

headingouttodrink,eat,and

socializeearlierintheevenings,notedby40%inSpainandIndia,32%inItalyandAustralia,and30%

inFrance,accordingtotheBacardiGlobalConsumerSurvey(GCS).

Notably,youngerconsumersareleadingthecharge,withoverhalfofthosein

France(51%)andmorethanonethirdin

theU.S.(34%)reshapingroutinesaroundearlierevenings.

Beyondthehard-to-booklocations,it’snowthehard-to-booktimeslotsconsumersarevyingfor–

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

Andit’snotjustindoors.

Rooftopspots

likeAtneaSkyin

Valenciaarecurating

cocktailmenusdesignedforgoldenhoursipping

andtastebuds.Thevenue’sATeainTuscanycocktailcombinesMARTINI?

Fiero,MARTINI?RiservaSpecialeRubino,BOMBAYSAPPHIRE?,bitterorangeandblacktea.

Theriseofalfrescoterracesincityhotspotsisanchoringthesenewritualsandsocialrhythms:3p.m.cofees

thatlingersintoapéritifortardeo

hour,post-workterracegatherings

replacingtraditionaldinners,or

weekdayalfrescolunchesthatfeellikemini-escapes.InFrance–ginguettes

–watersideterraces,whichcanbe

eitherpop-uporpermanent–aremorepopularthaneverinParisandarea

growingfeatureofurbanlifeacross

thecountry–aligningwithschemesinBarcelona,Berlin,London,andVienna.

SNACKABLESips

Today’sdrinkersaretradingvolumeforvibe,embracingsmall-formatcocktailsthatdeliverlavor,ritual,andreward–inatreat-sizedserving.FromminiMartinisandlow-ABVsipperstodessert-and-drinkpairings,barsaretappingintoacultureofmeasuredpleasure.

Thinkofitascocktailculture’sanswertothesweettreat:refined,intentional,withjusttherighthintofindulgence.Whetherservedicy-coldintwo

stagesorpairedwithacandy-sizedaccompaniment,theseminiature

momentsareelevatingtheeveryday.

TheMartinicocktail,onceknownforitshighABV,isbeingreimaginedinminiatureform–aservethatstaysice-cold,whiledeliveringthesamesignaturelavorprofileandtimelessappealofitsfull-sizedcounterpart.

Theformattapsintoshiftinghabits,

with43%ofyoungerSpanish

consumersplanningtodrinkmore

neatspiritsandcocktailsinthenext12months,accordingtotheBacardiGCS.

Barshavebeenquicktoadapt.IntheUK,Manchester’sBlinkerBarofersaSmallerServesmenufeaturingminiMargaritas,MartinisanditssignatureSnaquiricocktail,madesimplywithBACARDí?CartaBlanca,citrusblendandsugar.Elsewhere,Boston’sBirdsofParadiseservesupamonthlyminiMartinimenuincollaborationwithguestbarsaroundthecity.These

monthlymomentsallowtheteamtosharecreativeandexcitinglavor

combinationslikeBOMBAYSAPPHIRE?PremierCruginwithnitro-infusedshisoleaf,NOILLYPRAT?andorangebitters,orPATRóN?Silver,tomatoaquavit,

ST-GERMAIN?,andbasileau-de-vie.

Beyondsnackablevariety,thetrend

forminiMartinisandservesisallowingvenuestocombatconsumers’numberonecocktailick:notcoldenough.

Highlightedby54%ofconsumers

inMexico,50%inSpain,49%in

France,44%inGermany,40%intheNetherlands,38%inCanada,and26%inAustralia(BacardiGCS).

Functionmeetslavor,withconsumersincreasinglyoptingforapalettethatmirrorsthelateafternoonpick-me-up:

thesweettreat.Globally,fruityand

sweetlavorsreignsupremeasthe

cocktaillavorofchoice.Fruityisrankednumberoneby63%ofrespondents

inIndia,60%inGermanyand59%intheUK,whilesweetcomesoutontopinMexico(58%)andtheU.S.(52%),accordingtotheBacardiGCS.

Thispreferenceissignalingthe

resurgenceofdessert-inspiredserveslikethePi?aColada,namedthe

numberthreetopglobalbarcallfor2026(BacardiGCS).

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

BarslikeRubíinMexicoCityareleaningintothetrendwithsweet,playful

twistslikeatequila-lacedST-GERMAIN?Spritz,finishedwithgrapefruitand

lycheesodaforextrasweetness.In

Paris,RemySavage’sBarNouveaugoesonestepfurther,servingtheNouveauRamoswithGREYGOOSE?vodka,

vanillayogurt,peat,ST-GERMAIN?elderlowerliqueur,andsodawater.

Together,miniformatsandsweetprofilesarepointingtoacocktailculturethat’scolder,lighter,moreplayful–andbuiltfor

newrhythmsof

consumption.

TOPBARTENDER

BACARDIGLOBALBRANDAMBASSADORSURVEY

FRUITYSWEETSAVORYSPICY

55%46%26%24%

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

Ritual

REFRESHMENTS

Consumersarebringingtheirdaytimetastesintotheevening,favoringmixersandcocktailsthatmirrortheirlifestylepreferences.Fromkombuchaandmatcha-infuseddrinkstoapothecary-inspiredbarsfocusedonintentionalrituals,theboundary

betweendaytimerefreshmentsandnighttimeindulgenceisfading.

Thistrendfuelsinnovationinlow-ABVaperitifsthatoferuniquelavorsandthoughtful

experiences,cateringtoagenerationseekingdrinksthatrelecttheirvaluesandmoods.

Moderationnowmeansmixingandmatching.

MorethanaquarterofGermans,androughlyoneinfiveyoungerdrinkersinCanada,India

andtheNetherlands,switchbetweenalcoholicandnon-alcoholiccocktailsinthesamesession(BacardiGCS).ThisluidapproachrelectsGenZers’broaderrhythms:lexible,earlier,andbuiltarounddrinksthatkeeppacewithchanging

moodsandmoments.

Ratherthanretreatingfrombarsandvenues

however,they’reshowingupmore,relectingthedesiretoredesigncocktailcultureinlinewiththeirownlifestylepreferences.Almostthree-quarters(72%)visitweekly,and38%saythey’llgoout

evenmoreofteninthemonthsahead.2

Barsareadaptingwithcocktailsdesignedfor

earlierhoursandlighteroccasions.AtRosewoodAmsterdam’sAdvocatuurBar,drinkslikethe

Uprising–PATRóN?Silvertequilawithsmoked

cherry,cocoa,clarifiedmilkandgingerbeer–

balancecomplexitywithdrinkability.ItsLadyofJusticeblendsGREYGOOSE?vodkawithrhubarbliqueur,fortifiedmangoandlychee,creatinga

cocktailthatsitscomfortablyinthelateafternoonasmuchasafterdark.

AcrossEurope,theshiftisstructural.InSpainandtheUK,drinkersaretradinghigh-intensitynightlifeforadiferenttempowithgatheringsbuiltaroundlonger,lighterdrinks,withtheSpritzcontinuing

toboom.Thatchangehasdrivenan+8%CAGRinaperitifsalesbetween2018–2023,withfurthergrowthexpectedthrough2028.3InGermany,theNetherlandsandCanada,nearlyhalfofGenZoptforSpritzesatlunchtime,whileinItaly,49%of

consumersplantoembracesundownerdrinkingmoreoftenin2026(BacardiGCS).

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

MACROTRENDTWO:

Asconsumersreassesstheirrelationshipwiththedigitalworld,anewwaveofmindful,in-personsocializingis

emerging.RewildingConnectionchampionsexperiencesthatdecenterscreensinfavorofintentional,analog

momentsrootedincommunity,creativity,andsharedjoy.

REWILDING

Thisisnotaboutrejectingtechnologyentirely–butrather

aboutrebalancingitthroughin-real-life(IRL)gatheringsthatfeelgenuine,grounded,andnourishing.Here,thecocktailbecomesacompaniontoconnection,notthemainevent.

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

COMMUNITY

Fornext-gendrinkers,communityisn’tbuiltincrowded

clubsorcommentsections–it’scultivatedthroughintentional,

sharedexperiences.Frompop-updinnersandsober-curioussocialstocreativeworkshopsandanalogleisure,thesecohortsareseekingnew,moremeaningfulwaystocometogether.

"It’slessaboutbeingseen,moreaboutfeelingseen–andco-creatingspacesthatfosterpresence,purpose,andrealconnection."RigobertoChavez,VP

GlobalInsights,Bacardi

Thefocusisshiftingtowardintentionalgatherings,wherepresenceand

connectionmattermost.Some85%ofconsumerssaytheywishtheyhadmoretimetospendwiththepeopletheycareabout,withbrandsand

spacesthatcancreatethesemomentssteppingintoanewroleasfacilitatorsofbelonging.4

Whilethetraditionalclubscene

continuestocontract,freshformats

arefillingthegap.Operatorsarealso

respondingtactically,reinventing

slowernightswithprogramsdesignedtokeeppeoplecomingback.InToronto,BarMordecailayersintarotreadings,charitybingo,andkaraokealongsideitscocktails,creatingwhatownerChristinaVeiracalls“casualbenevolence”–

asocialmodelthatraisesmoneyforlocalcauseswhileoferingspaceforjoyandconnection.

84%

INTERACTIONSFEEL

LESSPERSONAL

VMLINTELLIGENCE,20255

αfSA卜&

Thisshiftisrelectedglobally.GenZisprioritizingmusicandculturalfestivalsovertraditionalclubnights,withnearlyhalfinSpain(49%)andaround40%

intheUKandAustraliasayingtheyplantoattendmorefestivalsin2026thantheydidin2025(BacardiGCS).

Andwhentheygather,cocktailsarethesoundtrackofchoice:morethanhalf(58%)ofUKconsumerssay

cocktailsaretheirnumberonepickforconnectingwithfriends.

Barsandrestaurantvenuesare

beingreimaginedasvitalhubsfor

community,withmorethanaquarterofrespondentsexpectingthem

toevolvefurtherintointentional

communitycenters,accordingtotheBacardiGlobalBrandAmbassador

Survey(GBAS).Holzmarkt25in

Berlinembodiesthisevolution,

transformingaformerbrownfieldsiteintoauser-drivenurbanvillage,wherecreativity,culture,andcocktailsmergeintoalivingcommunityexperiment.

MeanwhileinLondon,members’

clubsarecultivatingadeepersense

oftogethernessthroughcurated

surprisesthatrewardthoseinthe

room.SohoHouse’sSecretSoho

Sounds,inpartnershipwithPATRóN?tequila,stagesliveperformancesthatarerevealedonlyastheartisttakesthestage.Theefectisoneofcollective

discovery–amomentsharedonlybythosepresent–blurringthelinesbetweennightlife,musicfestival,

andprivatemembers’club,whilereinforcingthevalueofbeingpartofthein-the-knowcommunity.

Thetrendisclear:nightlifeisnolongeraboutanonymouscrowdsandleetingencounters.Itisbeingreshapedintocommunity-drivenexperiencesthat

givedrinkersnotjustsomewheretogo,butsomethingtobelongto.

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

PEOPLE-FIRST

Acrosssalons,libraries,cofeeshopsandgalleries,anewgenerationisreclaiming

everydayspacesforcommunity,culture,andconnection.Fromreadingpartiesandbookravestoblockparties,GenZconsumersarereshapingsociallifearoundintentional,joy-fueledgatherings.It’snotjustaboutwhereyougo–buthowyoufeelwhenyougetthere.

Elsewhere,analog

hobbiesandgame

nightsarebecoming

thenewsocialglue,

drawingyounger

adultcrowdsinto

traditionalvenues

worldwide.InSan

Francisco,mahjong

nightsarepacking

venues,whileacross

theU.S.,Canada,and

Germany,boardgames,

trivia,andcardsarefast

replacingdanceloorsas

awaytoconnect,withalmosthalf(47%)ofCanadianGenZand39%ofconsumersinGermanynotinggame

nightsareakeydrawtothevenue(BacardiGCS).

Cofeeclubbingisoneexample,

Fornext-gendrinkers,the“thirdplace”

–acommunityspacebetweenwork

andhome–isnolongeroptional,

it’sessential.NearlyhalfofLDAGenZ(49%)drinkersalreadyusethirdplacessuchascafésorcommunityhubsat

leastweekly,29%morethanGenXers.6

Next-gendrinkersareredesigning

theirsocialcalendarsaroundthesealternativehubs,seekingcommunityandcocktailcultureawayfrom

traditionalvenuesinfavorofspacesrootedinintentionandfulfillment.

Thisgrowingpreferenceisreshapingtheeconomicsofon-premisevenues,wherefiguresshowthatthirdplacesnowgenerate19%moredrinks

volumespermonththantraditionalhospitalityoutlets,makingthem

vitalchannelsforengagement.7

bringingtogethercaféculturewithlivemusicandcommunity.Eventbritereportsthatattendancetothese

eventswasupby150%in2025,

withHoustonaloneexperiencinga

staggering1,800%surge.8FromCorridorSeven’scofeeravesinNagpur,IndiatoNewYork’sReadingRhythmsparties,

whereyoungpeoplegathertoread

togethertocuratedsoundtracks,the

gatheringblendsanalogleisurewith

culturalexperimentation.Drinksbrandsaregettinginontheactiontoo.Café

ConRonisatravelingdaytimeseries,featuringBACARDí?ReservaOcho,SANTATERESA1796?,andmore.

TheeventtransformsTexascofee

shopsandpatiosintohigh-tempo

culturalhubs,showinghowbrandscanmeaningfullymeetculturewhereitlives.

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

Assocializingbecomesmoreintentional,

drinksareevolvingintotoolsforconnection.

Fromomakase-stylelavorjourneystoshareable

ready-to-drink(RTD)ofers,theseservesaredesigned

tosparkconversationandconvenience,whileturning

tastingintotogetherness.It’sashiftfromstatement

drinkstosocialrituals–servedonesipatatime.

ICE-BREAKER

Barsareexperimentingwithformatsthatturnthedrinkintopartofa

broaderculturalexchange.Miami’sBarKaijulinkseachcocktailto

illustratedtradingcardsinspiredbyJapanese"strangebeasts,"creatingnarrative-drivenritualsthatdoubleasconversationstarters.

AtTheStudiospaceinsideNewYork’sClementeBar,intimacytakescenter

stage–fosteringdeeperconnection

notonlyamonggueststhemselves,

butbetweenguests,bartenders,

andchefs.Itsnine-seattastingcounterblursthelinebetweenbarandkitchen,oferingvisitorsa90-minutejourney

offiveplant-basedcoursespairedwithinnovativecocktails.Preparedand

servedlivebeforeguests,eachdish

anddrinkbecomespartofashared

performance–aclose-upcelebrationofcollaboration,creativity,andconnection.

TheportabilityofRTDsmakesthem

theperfectpartnerforcommunity-firstleisure–fromhousepartiesto

festivals.ThelaunchoftheBACARDí?&Coca-Cola?RTDin2025positionedtheserveasreadyforanyadventure,tappingintothedesireforunfussy

drinksthatfitseamlesslyintoeverydayexperiences.IntheUK,youngerLDAadultsplantodrinkmoreRTDsor

cannedcocktailsacrossthenext12

months,witharoundtwofifthsof18-29yearolds(39%)and37%of30-44-yearoldsplanningtodoso(BacardiGCS).

Elsewhere,therevivaloftheiconicBREEZER?intheUKshowshow

nostalgiaandexperiencedesigniscombiningtocreatedrink-ledculturalmomentsforconnection.

WithBREEZERinhand,stepthrough

aretrovideostoreinLondon’s

CoventGardenandintoBunga90,aninteractive90sbarwithcocktails,pizzaandkaraoke.InManchester’sNorthernQuartercamemodeledafteracornershopstackedwiththeessentials:

numerousshelvesofthecolorfulRTDbottles,plusalate-nightDJset.

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

TopGlobalBar

1

2

16TEQUILASODA

17GINLEMONADE

MARGARITA

MOJITO

6SPRITZ11IRISHCOFFEE

7VODKALEMONADE12BLOODYMARY

3

18

13

8

TEQUILASUNRISE

DAIQUIRI

MIMOSA

VODKASODA

GIN&TONIC

DRYMARTINICOCKTAIL

SCREWDRIVER

PALOMA

PASSIONFRUITMARTINI

PI?ACOLADA

4

19

14

9

RUM&COKE?

20

15

5

10

WHISKY&COKE?

BACARDIGLOBALCONSUMERSURVEY

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

MACROTRENDTHREE:

NEW

Aschangingtradeconditionsandtransparency

reshapetheindustry,barsareevolvinginto

laboratoriesoflocallavor–harnessing

micro-farms,regionalecologies,andscientific

experimentationtopioneeranewfutureof

mixology.Thismovementisnotabout

replacinginternationallycelebratedspirits,

butaboutelevatingthemthroughlocally

sourcedingredients,garnishes,andlavor

accentsthatrooteachserveinitsenvironment.

ThisNewLocalogymovementisbreedingcocktailiterationsthatareinnovative,place-driven,

anddeeplyrootedincommunity,signalingan

all-newunderstandingofprovenance.Here,everysipbecomesacuratedexpressionofterroir,

technique,andtransparency–cateringtonew

consumerpreferencestosavornotonlythelavor,buttheplaceandprocessbehindit.

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

ProvenancePROTOCOLS

ingredientsandstorytellingtoembed

provenancestoriesintotheconsumerjourney.

Brandsarealsorespondingcreativelyto

newsourcingandtransparencychallenges.

ThePATRóN?“CensoredTruth”campaign

showcasesthebrand’scommitmenttotransparency

andpurityintequilaproductionpullingbackthecurtainonwhat’sreallyinyourtequila.Thecampaignemphasizes

thatPATRóN?hasnosecretingredients–andhasalwaysbeenmadewithjustthreeingredients:100%WeberBlueAgave,water,andyeast.

InToyko,pastglobalwinneroftheBACARDí?LegacyCocktailCompetitionShingoGokanhasopenedanewcocktailbarabovefamedTheSGClub.

TheSangaiBarhasonlyeightcounterseats,deliveringanintimateandengagingdrinkingexperiencethatsetsitapartfromSG’sotherbars.Builtaroundthe

conceptof“TerroirxTerrior”–referringtotheunionoftwoplaces–thebarofersmulti-beveragecocktailexperienceshighlightingJapanesespirits,

seasonalfruit,anduniqueingredientssourcedfromaroundtheworld.

AtMexico’sHandshakeSpeakeasy–rankedsecondamongTheWorld’s50

BestBarsfor2025–Co-FounderEricvanBeekusescitricacidtorecreatethebrightnessoflimewithoutthecitrusfruit.ItstwistonthePalomaismade

withstrawberry-infusedmezcal,habanerotincture,andyellowbellpeppersodathatmergesfresh,fruity,veggieandspicylavors.

ExperimentalprojectslikeZackDenfeld’s“MockWild”furtherhintatthefuture,whereAIharmonizesagroforestryandconventionalfarmingsystemstoproducehybrid,biodiversesupplychains.

Shiftingregulationsandrisingconsumerdemand

aredrivingbarstoadoptnewstandardsaroundtransparencyandsourcingforgarnishes,syrups,andmore.

Frominnovativetechniquestosupplementingin-demandingredients,venuesarerethinkingthecocktail’sjourney.

UpcomingrulesmandatingQR-codedlifecycledatawillcementprovenancestorytellingasacorepartofthecocktailexperience,buildingdeepertrustthrough

fulltransparency.

Provenancehasevolvedbeyondtrendstatus,solidifying

intoprotocolastransparencybecomesashareddemandofconsumersandregulatorsalike.Today,morethan8

in10U.S.consumersreadlabelsbeforedecidingtobuyaproduct,withalmosttwo-thirds(63%)payingmore

attentiontolabelinformationcomparedtofiveyearsago.

Amongtheinformation,regionoforiginiskeyforoverthreequarters(77%)ofconsumers.9

Brandshavebegunutilizingdigitalshortcutstomakevital

productinformationaccessible.BacardiisaddingQRcodestoitslabelswhich,intheEU,provideconsumerswithnutritional

andingredientinformation,aswellasrecyclinginstructionsforsomemarkets.

Notably,thistransparencyisn’tjustaboutcompliance–it’sbecomingpartoftheexperience,leadingbarsandbrandstoexperimentwith

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BACARDICOCKTAILTRENDSREPORT2026

LIVING匕釔bα卜釔tα卜i以

Barsandrestaurantsare

transformingintoself-sustaininginnovationhubs,blendingscience,gastronomy,andlocalecologyintocompletecocktailexperiences.

championseasonalityandexperimentalmixology–allwithinhouse-made,

circularsystems.

Promisingly,localityistopofmind

forbothconsumersandtheindustry.

Fromverticalhydroponicfarmsto

indigenousingredient-basedcocktails,

livinglaboratoriesconnect

growing,crafting,andconsuminginreal

time.Thesenew

drinksecosystems

“BuyingLocal”isthenumberone

environmentalandsustainabilitythemeacrossregions–chosenbyalmost

halfconsumersinAustralia(45%)andCanada(44%)(BacardiGCS).Supportinglocalbusinessesiskeytotheon-tradetoo,rankedgloballyasthenumberonepriorityforhospitalityvenuesacross

thenext12months(BacardiGBAS).

Brandsandbarsareharnessingthis

drivebymovingbeyondsustainable

checkboxes,creatinganewformof

hospitalityrootedinecologyand

experimentation–deliveringbigo