2026 Cocktail Trends: What You Should Be Drinking This Year
If 2025 was resilience in a shaker, then 2026 is all about intention. We’re stepping into the era where less is more and the experience is everything. Fewer rounds, better choices and cocktails that feel considered, balanced and worth savouring. Fuelled by rising costs, wellness trends, cultural shifts and a renewed interest in home gatherings, 2026 cocktail trends are mindful and refined with a lovely touch of nostalgia. Explore our 10 biggest future cocktail trends with our two experts and discover what everyone will be drinking in 2026.
The 10 biggest cocktail trends for 2026
To get the inside scoop, we pulled up a barstool with Cognac Ambassador Xavier Herit and Campari’s Italian Portfolio Ambassador Olivia Cerio and asked them what the future of drinking really looks like.
1. Low-ABV becomes the norm
Everyone’s favourite workday lunch option now leads the cocktail menu According to Xavier, we should expect to see spritzes and low-ABV drinks more frequently on menus. These drinks deliver full flavour without the heaviness, making social gatherings longer and lighter. Expect to see more Aperol Spritz variations, Americano-style riffs and bittersweet refreshers in 2026 cocktail trends.
Read next: The Italian art of pre-dinner drinks
There is a lot going on in the world, and enjoying a low- to mid-ABV cocktail should be a simple respite. They’re uncomplicated and delicious.
2. Fewer drinks, better choices
According to Olivia, consumers want quality ingredients, like freshly squeezed juice. And, while inflation may be squeezing wallets, it’s also sharpening taste buds. In 2026 cocktail trends, we’ll see a shift toward fewer drinks and better choices, favouring craftsmanship over quantity. Drinkers are honing in on flavours and opting for one spectacular cocktail instead of three average ones. So, expect to see premium spirits, better ingredients and proper techniques shaking things up this year.
Consumers are becoming more selective about what they drink, which is likely connected to inflation.
3. Aperitivo culture continues to grow
The spritz may have started the party, but aperitivo culture made it a lifestyle for everyone to enjoy. Bittersweet Italian classics have shifted from pre-dinner rituals to brunch, lunch, golden hour and casual dinners. Expect Campari-style serves and food-friendly cocktails that are sessionable, social and perfect for the modern low-ABV trend.
My cocktail for 2026 is probably the Campari Spritz. Just as complex and sophisticated as it is simple and balanced.
4. Local, seasonal and terroir-led ingredients
Terroir has always been an unsung cocktail trend hero, and in 2026 it’s bringing the main character energy. From farmers’ markets to foraging adventures, bartenders and home mixologists are delving into ingredients that reflect their region and season. People are interested in highlighting the flavours of their home and terroir, and, according to Olivia, we’ll be seeing more local flora and farmers markets incorporated into cocktail programs. Think persimmons in California, wild herbs in Europe and tropical botanicals in Asia. The cocktail world is celebrating provenance, and you get to reap the tasty rewards.
Pandan is definitely having a moment. I’m seeing pandan leaves or liquor show up on more and more cocktail menus.
5. Savoury and umami flavours step forward
Taking cues from tasting menus in the culinary world, umami bombs are shaking up 2026 cocktail trends. Interesting riffs on seaweed, mushroom and miso infusions add mouth-watering flavour and vegetal depth. These savoury cocktails are layered, complex, and endlessly fascinating as they unravel with every sip.
I think the flavour blaster gun trend is wearing out. It had its moment and offered great showmanship. I’m seeing a rise in more natural savoury and umami-driven elements in cocktails—tomato water, seaweed, miso, mushrooms, and similar flavour profiles.
6. Classic cocktails return — reimagined
There are few ingredients that can rival a good old dose of nostalgia. We’re talking about classic cocktails that transport you straight back to your favourite beach bar, complete with toes in the sand and a cheeky wink from the bartender. In mixology trends 2026, the past is making a comeback, and it has never tasted better. Expect refined ingredients, modern techniques and classic flavours that remind you how the greats earned their reputation.
I’ve started seeing Apple Martinis making a comeback on craft cocktail menus—often reimagined with fresh apple juice or house-made cordial. And the Sidecar always deserves its spotlight!
7. At-home hosting as everyday socialising
Bars bring the buzz, but home is where the freezer-door Martinis live. Cocktail trends in 2026 will see the continued growth of intentional at-home bartending. Intimate gatherings, better drinks, curious palates, and meaningful moments will take centre stage. There’s never been a better time to live your speakeasy dream!
Small at-home gatherings are becoming part of regular socialising. Community and connection are more important than ever, and sometimes it is more accessible than meeting out multiple times a week.
8. Glassware and garnish as part of the experience
Cocktail trends always feature a fresh look at aesthetics, and 2026 is no different. The story of a great drink begins with proper glassware and a considered garnish. Subtle touches that transform simple serves into an explosion of concept and flavour. Great cocktail presentation can be polished or playful but never gimmicky. “Choosing a glass for a drink, whether in a bar, restaurant, or at home, plays a huge part in how that drink is enjoyed and experienced,” says Oliva.
We’ll see more tools designed for creating unique garnishes entering the home market, making it easier to add a professional touch. Large ice balls and clear ice cubes will remain very common, and access to a wider variety of flavoured syrups will give home bartenders more creative flexibility than ever.
9. Sustainability becomes subtle but significant
According to Xavier there’s a growing awareness and curiosity about what we consume and how it impacts our planet—especially from bartenders. So, it’s no surprise that sustainability continues to shape the industry. Ethical sourcing, sustainable cocktails (opens in new window), conscious production and eco-friendly options are thriving behind the scenes. While guests may still order their favourites, bartenders are increasingly mindful of what they use and how it got there.
My hope is that more people take notice of their footprint and work on ways to be intentional in choices that either harm or help the planet.
10. Substance over Instagram — but still beautiful
‘More is more’ is out, and elegant minimalism is in. Think intentional lighting, gorgeous spaces and well-balanced drinks with punchy flavours. Over-the-top theatrics and smoke guns are being replaced by mature thinking and design-led cocktail culture with a touch of celebrity influence.
There is nothing wrong with having an Instagram-worthy cocktail, but I think the days of style versus substance may be a thing of the past. If the drink doesn’t taste good, the aesthetics won’t help business—even if it brings people in for a short time.
Meet our experts
Olivia Cerio: As Campari’s Italian Portfolio Ambassador, Olivia brings iconic brands like Campari, Aperol, Cynar, and Cinzano to life with true Italian flair and authenticity. A former brewery brand manager with extensive hospitality experience, she’s a devoted lover of botanicals and aperitivo culture. She’s also a passionate educator for the next generation of hospitality professionals.
Xavier Herit: A native Parisian with roots in France’s Bordeaux region, Xavier Herit discovered his passion for flavour at the family table before finding his true home behind the bar. Now a US-based Cognac Portfolio Ambassador, he blends French spirit heritage with global bartending experience to educate and inspire cocktail lovers around the world.
And just like that, you’re the most informed cocktail aficionado in your friend group. Before you head off to make a drink, explore more cocktail trends, discover delicious spritz and aperitivo recipes and don’t forget to sign up for our tasty newsletter!
