Cocktails & Spirits: What’s Trending in 2022
In years gone by, we’ve watched drink trends come and go. But what about the here and now? What are people thinking — and more importantly — drinking in 2022?
Although the UK’s top 10 cocktail list is full of familiar favourites such as the Pornstar Martini, Daiquiri and Mojito — an interesting trend is emerging. People are developing a taste for new-to-the-market cocktail recipes.
While the market share of traditional cocktails has seen a 17% decrease in recent years, new-to-the-market cocktail recipes have seen a 10% increase — and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.
Let’s take a look at what else the trends are telling us…
Gin sloeing down
Gin has enjoyed a huge boom in recent years, but the end of lockdown appears to have slowed its growth. The category has lost 3.4% in market share since the hospitality sector re-opened.
This fall directly correlates with a rise in categories more commonly associated with cocktails — Rum (up 3.3%), Vodka which continues to top the chart with 55.4% share and the ever-diverse non-cream liqueurs which is a close number 2 with 49% market share.
In CGA’s latest BrandTrack survey, only 13% of people drink Gin out of home versus 20% in 2019 — with cocktails taking over as the top spirits category.
Tequila on a tear
One spirit that has shot up in popularity is Tequila. According to CGA data, sales on-trade have increased an eye-watering 106% year-on-year — rising from £68.12m to £140.6m.
CGA’s on-premise measurement service indicated that Tequila, alongside Rum and Vodka, are expected to be among the most popular spirits for 2022 — partially fuelled by a renewed interest in cocktails.
Ready to rum-ble
A couple of years ago, CGA predicted that Rum might be the new gin — and recent data seems to agree. Rum’s share of spirit sales increased by 3.3% over the past 6 months only. Again, partially because of its inclusion in such a wide range of cocktails.
Mixing up the classics
As cocktail drinkers returned to bars, so did the appetite for adventure. People are thirsty for something new — a whopping 82% find the idea of a ‘modern twist’ on a classic cocktail appealing.
What’s an example of a modern twist? It can be as simple as taking FUNKIN COCKTAILS Espresso Martini cocktail mixer and serving it with a splash of FUNKIN COCKTAILS Oleo Saccharum syrup for an instant infusion of aromatic orange. A small change that makes a big difference.
Conscious consumption
As environmental consciousness continues to increase, consumer habits are changing. From ingredients to the packaging they’re sold in — people are opting for more sustainable, environmentally friendly choices.
For example, from-scratch cocktail making with fresh fruit often comes with the inevitability of food waste. After all the chopping, straining and garnishing — you’re left with excess fruit that perishes quickly.
This is in stark contrast to Funkin’s Fruit Purées — which offer a simpler, more sustainable alternative. Without the hassle of lengthy preparation, they’re quick to serve — with all of the taste and none of the waste.
Low-to-no alcohol
Consumer habits are also showing signs of heightened health consciousness, with the rise of low and no alcohol drinks in the UK.
A YouGov survey commissioned by the Portman Group revealed that nearly one in three respondents opt for a low-to-no alcohol choice on a ‘semi-regular’ basis — compared to just one in four a year earlier.
Wine and spirits supplier Enotria & Coe also named no-to-low drinks as the category with the largest growth, with sales of no-to-low drinks up 70% in 2020, and a further 35% in 2021.
Non-alcoholic spirits in particular are projected to grow 34% by 2024, with brands such as Strykk paving the way with the ideal substitute for non-alcoholic cocktails.
Bottling up
During the pandemic, consumers developed a taste for RTD (ready-to-drink) cocktails. Now, some hospitality venues are beginning to favour pre-batched drinks instead of mixing them on the spot — saving precious time during busy periods.
Over to you…
With all this in mind, how will you adapt your offering to capitalise on this year’s trends? Let us know in the comments!
