The pandemic permanently shaped many lives and perspectives, and coming out of it has shown that many people have switched gears to simpler pleasures and healthier options. Here are a few beverage trends for the summer of 2022.
Canned Cocktails
According to Instacart, the most popular summer drink trend in 2022 is canned cocktails. Surpassing the highly popular ready-to-drink seltzers like Truly and White Claw that have been the rage for the last few years, canned cocktails offer new flavors, a cheaper price point, and a trendy alternative to beers and wine coolers. Canned cocktail options available through Instacart’s website have increased by more than 60% generating $1.6 billion since the summer of 2021. And it’s not hard to see why. Canned cocktails symbolize crispy, breezy summer fun. Already any restaurant or bar you go to is stocked with seltzers and other canned beverages, and there are even non-alcoholic versions.
Non- or low-alcoholic drinks
According to the National Library of Medicine’s study, at the beginning of the pandemic, people started drinking more alcohol however, as the pandemic progressed, we saw the opposite. The trend veered towards drinks that had no- to low- alcohol, according to the Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report for 2022. Drinking lower alcohol beverages allows you to drink all day without feeling like you’ve overindulged.
Walk into any bar, and most restaurants and you will be sure to find a large selection of non-alcoholic beverages with complex and delicious flavors, a giant improvement from pre-pandemic options. For summer drinks, you may be interested in ordering a Mojito Mocktail or a Saint-Florent Cocktail while you enjoy summer fun with your loved ones at your favorite establishment.
Simpler Cocktails
Simple cocktails with bold flavors are another trend for summer 2022. More and more people seem to favor drinks that only have three to four ingredients that they recognize. Gone are the days of Long Island Iced Tea, which boasts at least five liquors, among other ingredients. Now, restaurant-goers are happier ordering a gin and tonic with an herbal infusion.
Additionally, people are moving away from the subtler flavors previously popular with the initial seltzer boom. This summer, the trend seems to be organic, bold, natural flavors. More guests are re-discovering the sensory joys of mint, herbs, fruits, and berries. Drinks with natural watermelon juice, freshly squeezed citrus, and strawberries will likely be well-received.
The pandemic saw a rise in health and wellness trends that have continued to influence our eating, drinking, and spending time.
Beverage trends are a surprising reflection of our current zeitgeist, and right now, it seems clear that guests want natural, transparent, consistent beverages. Instead of indulgence, many prefer simplicity, wellness, and nostalgia.