The top cocktail ingredients piquing bartender interest in 2022

 

The past year has seen a renewed appreciation for nature among cocktail consumers, with the natural world providing a vital retreat from the stresses of the pandemic.

In the U.S., 58% of people say they didn’t appreciate nature as much as they should have before Covid-19, according to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation.

This newfound appreciation is positively impacting people’s desire for natural ingredients and is set to influence spirit consumption behavior in a significant way as we look ahead to 2022. The Bacardi Consumer Survey 2021 has the data points to prove this, with one-third of people in the U.S. planning to drink more cocktails with natural ingredients in the next year, and more than 50% of U.K. respondents considering whether a cocktail is made with natural ingredients an important factor in consumption. The survey also saw consumers in emerging markets such as India, Mexico, South Africa, and Israel shift their choices toward more natural selections.

A nature revival is also reflected in trending cocktail ingredients.

According to global bartenders, aromatics represent the top trending ingredient globally, with coconut water, coffee, and dried fruits also in the top five. In the U.S., aromatics are followed in popularity by fresh fruit, herbs, coffee, and natural juices. In addition, more than a third of consumers responding to the Bacardi Consumer Survey 2021 also said that fresh fruit and berries were the top ingredients they added to cocktails.

Already, products are emerging that will give 2022’s consumers their natural fix. GREY GOOSE has introduced GREY GOOSE Essences, an all-new line of low-calorie vodkas infused with real fruit and botanical essences, which offers an alcohol by volume rating (ABV) of 30% and contains no artificial ingredients, sugar, or carbs.

Along these lines, PATRÓN has a commitment to preserving the traditional means of tequila making coupled with a precise handcrafted production process that creates a super-premium tequila that requires no sugar, no glycerine, no caramel coloring, and no artificial ingredients. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Premier Cru Murcian Lemon, a new super-premium expression by the gin brand, shines a light on the long-standing relationships the brand has forged with its dedicated suppliers and farmers and their produce.

The Top Ingredients Piquing Bartender Interest in 2022:

1. AROMATIC/ FLAVOURED BITTERS
2. BRINE
3. COCONUT WATER
4. COFFEE
5. DRIED/ DEHYDRATED FRUITS
6. FERMENTS – such as BEER/ CIDER/ ALE
7. FERMENTS – such as KOMBUCHA / KEFIR
8. FLAVOURED SODA
9. FLAVOURED TONICS
10. FLORALS.