Savoury flavours, immersive experiences and bartender expertise will drive cocktail culture in 2025, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company has found.

Bermudian-based Bacardi Ltd has published its sixth annual Cocktail Trends Report, which identifies the five key trends poised to reimagine cocktail culture and the spirits industry.

“Consumers are redefining how they connect — using cocktails as a bridge to new experiences, perspectives and deeper relationships,” Mahesh Madhavan, chief executive of Bacardi, said.

Martin Raymond, cofounder of The Future Laboratory, added: “Shifting consumer mindsets are set to enable longer-term premiumisation.”

Bacardi said the macro trends defining the spirits industry in 2025 will be:

Premium fans: elevated hospitality add-ons and bespoke travel packages centred on concerts and live events are set to become staples.

In-the-know imbibing: consumers are increasingly drawn to expert-led spaces, where mixologists use their craft to create more meaningful connections. Respondents in the Bacardi Global Consumer Survey are concerned that drinks created by artificial intelligence might miss the emotional and artistic finesse that human bartenders contribute to their creation.

New cocktail frontiers: with digital fatigue and a growing desire for cultural exploration, Bacardi said, people are craving real, multisensory engagement. Half of respondents surveyed in the US, Britain, Spain and Germany plan fewer nightclub visits.

Culinary connoisseurs: the line between food and drink is blurring, offering a new wave of gastro-inspired drinking experiences.

The future spirit: the Bacardi Global Brand Ambassador Survey underscores the industry’s motivation for deeper connections with almost two thirds (62 per cent) of respondents globally expressing interest in more professional networking opportunities in 2025.

Globally, the top ten cocktails for 2025 are: mojito, margarita, spritz, piña colada, gin & tonic, rum & coke, whisky & coke, dry martini cocktail, vodka lemonade and vodka soda.