To celebrate the New Year, we've compiled a roundup of recipes from the last 12 months that represent the trends, flavors, and cocktails that made up 2024. We've also included the winning recipes from our three cocktail contests in 2024!
Winning Cocktails
Electric Daisy
Winner of the 2024 Cocktail Most Likely to Go Viral Contest
Ingredients:
2 oz. of "Daisy Batch"
- 1.5 oz La Gritona Reposado
- .5 oz Black Peppercorn-infused Sieta Leguas Anejo
1.5 oz. Acid Adjusted Celery Juice
- Clarified using agar agar
.5 oz. Meyer Lemon Sorbet
- Meyer lemon peels macerated overnight in sugar and then blended with fresh Meyer lemon juice and kaffir lime leaves
3 dashes of Saline
Top with club soda
Garnish with a "Buzz Button" using a clothespin (Recommend to the guest to eat the flower before enjoying the cocktail for a sensory experience)
The Frozen Espresso Martini
Winner of the 2024 Best Frozen Cocktail Contest
Ingredients:
2 oz Ten to One Dark Rum
1 oz Cantera Negra coffee liqueur
¾ oz simple syrup
1/2 oz of Lavazza Cold Brew
Frangelico Whip Cream:
1 PT of Heavy Cream
1 1/2 oz of Frangelico
Directions:
For the Espresso Martini Base:
- Combine all ingredients in a frozen mixing machine.
- Be patient while the magic happens.
- Once mixture is the desired frozen texture, top with Frangelico Whip Cream.
For the Frangelico Whip Cream:
- Combine the Heavy Cream and Frangelico in a medium-sized bowl.
- As the great rock band DEVO would say “ whip it good” with an electric hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Top the espresso martini base with an inch of the whipped cream.
Celebration Punch
Winner of the 2024 Best Holiday Cocktail Contest
Ingredients:
1 oz. Ten to One White Rum
1 oz. Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey
½ oz. Sorel Hibiscus Liqueur
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
½ oz. Simple Syrup
½ oz. Pineapple Juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Ice
Dehydrated pineapple (for garnish)
Fresh Mint Sprig (for garnish)
Directions:
- In a cocktail shaker, add the Ten to One Rum, Uncle Nearest Whiskey, Sorel Hibiscus Liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, pineapple juice, and bitters.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill and combine the ingredients.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a dehydrated pineapple and a mint sprig for a fresh, aromatic finish.
- Serve and enjoy the vibrant and layered flavors.
What Trended in 2024
OAK at Fourteenth’s Tomato Martini Recipe
Savory cocktails were big in 2024.
Ingredients:
2 oz. vodka or gin (Woody Creek is what we use)
.5 oz. Lillet Blanc
2 dashes lemon bitters
1 oz. tomato water:
1300 grams ripe tomatoes, preferably heirloom
300 grams cucumber
20 grams basil
15 grams salt
Directions:
For the tomato water
Blend all ingredients until smooth in blender.
Pour contents into a colander or strainer lined with a coffee filter or fine cheesecloth.
Let strain 24 hours in fridge.
For the cocktail
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass.
Add ice, stir, strain to chilled martini glass/coupe.
Garnish with a speared cherry tomato.
Sin City Sober
Demand increased for non-alcoholic cocktails.
Ingredients:
2 Fresh Strawberries
5 Mint Leaves
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
0.75 oz Simple Syrup
4 oz Still Water
Strawberry + Mint Sprig Garnish
Directions:
- Muddle mint leaves and strawberries in a shaker tin.
- Add lemon juice, simple syrup, still water, and shake.
- Pour into a Collins glass.
- Garnish with a strawberry and mint sprig.
Hazelnut Espresso Martini
Espresso martinis and other coffee cocktails, continued to dominate menus.
Ingredients:
2 oz Duke & Dame Whiskey
1/2 oz coffee liqueur
1/4 oz Frangelico hazelnut liqueur
1 oz espresso
2 dashes of chocolate bitters
Directions:
- Dip rim in dark chocolate then cover with chopped hazelnut.
- Add all ingredients to the shaker with ice, shake well then strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with a Ferrero Rocher ball through a cocktail skewer.
Flavors of the Year
Flecha Spicy Margarita
Many liked it hot in 2024.
Ingredients:
2 oz Flecha Azul Blanco Tequila
¾ oz fresh lime juice
¾ oz triple sec
3 jalapeno slices
Tajin rim
Directions:
- Muddle jalapeno slices in a cocktail shaker
- Add ice and all remaining ingredients
- Shake vigorously
- Strain into a rocks glass with ice
Ube Paloma
Monin declared Ube the flavor of the year.
Ingredients:
1/2 oz. Monin Ube Syrup
2 oz. blanco tequila
1/4 oz. fresh lime juice
Top with grapefruit flavored soda
Garnish: Grapefruit, Black lava salt
Directions:
- Fill serving glass full of ice.
- Pour ingredients into serving glass in order listed.
- Pour mixture into mixing tin and back into serving glass to mix.
- Add garnish and serve.
Origami Sky
Asian flavors, like yuzu, were in many drinks.
Ingredients:
1 oz Planteray White
1 oz Planteray Original Dark
.75 oz Yuzu Juice
.75 oz Light Amber Honey Syrup
Directions:
- Add 25% of the weight of honey to get as close as to a 50 Brix Syrup.
- Add all ingredients to a shaker tin, shake, double strain into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with a thin lemon wheel that has channel peeled stripes.
Are you registered for our Crave and Crave on the Menu newsletters? Sign up today!
Plan to Attend or Participate in Our Events:
- 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 24-26, 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada. Register Now!
- 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo Colorado, October 26-28, 2025, Denver, Colorado
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo 2025 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at our events, fill out our form.
Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.