Back in July, several top-tier Bacardí brand ambassadors shared the beverage trends to follow through the end of 2018.
I shared their insights here. Those trends included blanco tequilas enjoyed neat; a rise in the popularity of highballs; increased interest in vermouth and Cognac; the return to simple but sophisticated cocktails such as the Negroni and Martini; the return and explosion of the Espresso Martini; and more.
Bacardí is back at it again. The legendary brand has tapped their United States portfolio ambassadors to share their thoughts on what consumers will be drinking throughout 2019. Their information is a great way to strut into the New Year with confidence.
First up, one of the most respected and beloved brand ambassadors on the planet, Colin Asare-Appiah. He’s the east senior portfolio ambassador and director of multicultural lifestyle & advocacy, and he’s also the one who predicted the rise of Cognac.
Asare-Appiah forecasts drinking with a social cause as a big trend for 2019:
“In today’s climate more and more people are seeking out drinks with a social cause attached. From brands to bars, products and recipes are going beyond consumption and tying themselves to worthy initiatives in order to bring awareness to movements they believe in.
READ THIS: Follow These Trends Through the End of 2018
“Bacardí is doing this through its Spirit Forward Women Empowerment Series, where it hosts a day of seminars and round tables in an effort to champion the outstanding females that make up the hospitality industry. Bars are also getting behind social causes, by attaching cocktail purchases to a charity or through inclusive hiring practices where they are expanding their network to offer opportunities for more diverse bartenders. This all trickles down to the consumer who we notice are seeking out those products and establishments that align themselves with a social cause. It’s a movement that I hope will transcend from simply being a growing trend in 2019 to becoming the new norm across the board.”
Bacardí’s Houston portfolio ambassador, Duane Hernandez, believes that fun is in the forecast. Guests will seek out a relaxing but recreational vibe at casual bars:
“Quiet speakeasy bars will always have their place in today’s cocktail scene. However, folks are once again excited to go to their more casual local watering hole, knowing that they can still have a great cocktail, without all of the seriousness behind it. In these relaxed establishments, the bartenders are enjoying recreating fun cocktails that are familiar in taste, bright and vibrant in color, and presented with an over-the-top garnish. These cocktails bring back memories of drinking in the early 90’s, sipping on cocktails with playful names, bold colors and tastes, but without the overly sweet flavors and artificial ingredients of the past.
“Today, selections tend towards naturally colored products like MARTINI & ROSSI Bitter and naturally flavored spirits like Bacardí Banana. Since bartenders have so many more options to choose from, this fun-filled moment in time can happen at almost any bar.”
Along the lines of fun, west senior portfolio ambassador Jaymee Mandeville predicts a return to the fruity and fun cocktails that were popular roughly a decade ago. She refers to these as “power pink drinks,” which in and of itself is fun:
“Back in the early 2000s, the United States embraced the Cosmopolitan, making this pink drink the chic and ‘it’ cocktail to consume. While the drink is credited to Toby Cecchini, it was Dale Degroff of the Rainbow Room NYC who helped perpetuate its pop-star status popularity. Fast forward to 2008, when Dale's protege Julie Reiner opened up Clover Club, paying homage to the pre-prohibition raspberry and gin-forward fluffy sour. Since then many bartenders have forgone fun and fruity for bitter and boozy. In this coming year I think we will see the bittersweet symphony of both styles.”
New York portfolio ambassador Anna Kah McLoughlin predicts that the Irish whiskey boom will continue to resonate throughout the industry. She points to the increased number of distilleries in Ireland as evidence:
“As one of the fastest growing spirits categories, Irish whiskey has been booming over the past few years. In the 1980's, there were only 2 distilleries left in Ireland. As of August 2017, there were 18 operational distilleries with 16 more in the works. The Teeling Whiskey Distillery opened in the heart of Dublin 125 years after the last distillery was shuttered there. Not only are they leading the Irish whiskey renaissance with their experimentation, but the liquids are highly regarded and awarded amongst their peers and bartenders alike.
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“Across this exciting category, keep an eye out for a lot of innovation including different cask finishes, experimental yeast strains, and terroir-driven raw ingredients.”
Ireland isn’t the only country to watch for beverage trends in 2019. Los Angeles portfolio ambassador Dan Long thinks guests will be drinking the Italian way. Italian spirits will experience a boost in interest and popularity from both the consumer and bartender sides:
“Bartenders continued quest for information, and hunger for knowledge has them focusing on Italian spirits.
“Realizing that vermouth is not as simple as sweet vs. dry, or Italian vs. French, they have embraced the many categories of vermouth and have begun to understand what separates each category. Embracing the differences such as base wines, bittering agents, herb blends, and base sweeteners, a trend of layering these fortified wines to build more complex, yet still low-ABV cocktails has emerged. Barolo Chinatos, Vermouths di Torino, and French Kinas are no longer bottles that confuse the modern bartender. The MARTINI & ROSSI Riserva vermouths have seen an incredible response because of their bold flavor profiles and complex herbal blends that are crafted from 3 types of artemisia and delicious base wines.
“’Grand Bitters’ are also starting to find their place in the awareness of bartenders. Different from their cousin ‘Petit Bitters,’ Grand Bitters are used by the measure as opposed to mere dashes. Campari has stood at the forefront of the category for many years, but MARTINI & ROSSI Bitter, Gran Classico, Brodiga, and Contratto have bartenders questioning if ‘one size does fit all.’ No longer content to settle, the modern mixologist is experimenting with different bitter brands to tailor the flavor experience for each cocktail. A Grand Bitter that works well with gin may not be the same one that works well with whiskey.
READ THIS: World Class Cocktail Trends for 2019
“Amaros have been sought after by bartenders looking for a bitter kick for many years, but a recent trend has them digging even deeper to provide new experiences for their guests. Flip through Instagram and you'll see photos of newly acquired collections of dusty bottles containing vintage amaros shipped from Italy. The sugar content of amaros helps them retain their aromatic and bitter qualities much longer than that of full proof spirits. Because of this, the liquid treasures inside offer a glimpse into the past and can even reveal changes in recipe and flavor over time. The market for vintage amaros hasn't exploded in the same way that the market for American or Japanese whiskies has, keeping the price point at a place where the experience can be passed along to customers. Does a bottle from 1962 taste the same as a bottle today? Pour yourself a glass and take a journey through time!”
Taylor Hansen has identified a hospitality industry and societal shift he believes is much bigger than just a trend. The Chicago portfolio ambassador predicts that sustainability will become an even bigger movement in 2019:
“The beauty of this trend is that it’s not a trend. I believe we are witnessing the beginning of a shift in approach to cocktail programs. The Bacardi brands have been working very hard to push sustainability, as well as forward thinking throughout the industry. This was never going to be a swift change, but the gradual turning of an oil tanker. We are beginning to see these efforts come to fruition, albeit indirectly, across America and at our favorite bars.
“How are bartenders manifesting their approach to sustainability?
- The cocktails themselves: The United States Bartenders Guild Most Imaginative Bartender focused on zero-waste cocktails to win the competition, in-line with Bombay gin being the most sustainable distillery in the world. This approach has garnered a lot of attention, as food waste in our society is astronomical. Bartenders are focusing on being creative without being wasteful.
- Bars and restaurant groups are dropping straws unanimously: In line with this trend, bartenders are constantly on the lookout for alternatives. Using metal straws is a tedious process to keep clean, but bar teams are willing to sacrifice that time in order to make a difference.
- Menus are changing: The overall size is shrinking and being simplified to save on waste. Menus are being changed less often as well for the same reasons.
- Bars are using less glassware: Cocktail bars in particular are shrinking their back bars to remove clutter and add substance. Generically shaped glassware allows for less dishwasher use, allowing bars to curb water waste.”
There you have it—insights you can put to action while you refresh your menus. Consider these predictions as you reinvigorate your inventory and reevaluate your approach to fulfilling guest expectations for the New Year.