Looking for new craft cocktail ideas to add to your repertoire? Whether you’re a bartender looking for new inspiration or you’re hosting an event and want to know what people are drinking these days, it helps to know which cocktails are all the rage. Everyone loves a good craft cocktail, but if you want guests to have the best time possible, you need to know what’s popular. Here are some of the trendiest drink ideas of 2023.
Espresso Martini
The espresso martini is a popular after dinner drink that combines alcohol and caffeine. The recipe calls for vodka, espresso, coffee liquor, and simple syrup, offering a rich, earthy flavor with a jolt of caffeine. Although not technically a martini because it does not feature gin or vermouth, it is served in a martini glass. Drinkers enjoy the soothing taste of Kailua and simple syrup, along with the bold flavor of espresso, offering both sweetness and bitterness. So when you're looking for a quick pick me up or summer time treat, the espresso martini is a great choice.
Old Fashioned or Manhattan
The old-fashioned is a classic cocktail that's experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to its simplicity and rich flavor. To make an old-fashioned, you muddle sugar and bitters then combine it with whiskey or water. Then garnish it with an orange peel. Alternatively, you can also make a Manhattan by using sweet vermouth instead of sugar and bitters. Both are very popular whisky drinks because they offer the rich flavor of whiskey without the harsh bite. Whichever you prefer, both are trendy cocktails that will please any whiskey aficionados.
Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is another classic summer cocktail that is very popular at the moment thanks to its smooth flavor and potency. Due to the high concentration of liquor and minimal mixer, Long Island Ice Teas are very potent and typically feature an alcohol concentration of about 22%. The recipe calls for vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin, and coca cola. It’s a great summer cocktail for those who want the highest alcohol content in a drink. Just be sure to pour responsibly, because it’s far too easy to get very drunk very quickly when sipping Long Island Iced Teas.
Cosmopolitan
Long associated with luxury and sophistication, everybody loves a good cosmopolitan. Known for its bright pinkish red coloring, cosmos are made with vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime. It's a delicious drink that is sweet, yet also has a bit of sourness from the lime. Although much more prevalent among women, the cosmopolitan is a great drink for anyone who likes fruit-flavored cocktails with added kick.
The Batchroni
The Batchroni is a variation on the Negroni but made with Batch-22 Aquavit instead of gin. It’s made by mixing Batch-22 gold aquavit with sweet vermouth and Campari and served in a rocks glass with one large ice cube and garnished with an orange peel. Aquavit is a Scandinavian liquor similar to gin that is spiced with caraway and dill instead of juniper berries. Batch-22 created an American version of classic Aquavit that is smooth, flavorful, and mixes well with a variety of cocktails. Replacing gin with Aquavit is one of the top cocktail trends of 2023, and the Batchroni is the perfect cocktail to sample if you want to taste the difference.
Mojito
The mojito is another great summer cocktail that is very trendy right now. The Cuban drink combines rum, sugar, lime juice, club soda, and mint for a mixture of sweetness, sour, and citrus. The ingredients compliment the rum and make for a refreshing beverage on a hot day. The key is to bruise the mint leaves gently so they release their essential oils but not to shred them, so you don’t miss out on any flavor. Mojitos take a bit more preparation than some other cocktails listed, but they’re a huge crowd-pleaser, especially on a warm day.
Dark n Stormy
A dark n stormy is a gin cocktail made with dark rum (usually Goslings) and ginger beer, served over ice in a highball glass with lime. Originally created in the Caribbean, the drink has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. It's often compared to a Moscow Mule due to its use of ginger beer, however the rum gives it a milder taste. It's the perfect drink if you want to bring summer vibes to your event and want to offer guests something different.
So, whether you’re looking for a classic whiskey drink or something to serve by the pool, these are the trendiest cocktails of the moment. Each offers a unique flavor and presentation that anyone can appreciate.
image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-assorted-liquors-3021394/
