What will consumers be drinking in 2024?
Executives, mixologists and sommeliers from Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the Miami-based wine and spirits distributor, developed a curated selection of drink trends for this year.
The lineup was shaped by what its experts saw circulating across the country at restaurants and bars in 2023, as well as consumer’s own preferences and interests, Southern Glazer’s said.
“Today, drink trends can bubble up from brand stories told by social media influencers, bartending peers and even professional organizations that support the cocktail and wine industry,” the company said. It added that trends also come from pop culture, such as liquor brands being mentioned in songs or competitive television reality shows like “Drink Masters,” “The Ultimate Mixologist” and “Mixology Masters,” driving interest in specific spirits and cocktail trends.
The company added; “The espresso martini also showed us the importance that nostalgia can play in bringing back a favorite blast from the past.”
Consumers also shape trends as they vote with their dollars at local restaurants, bars and liquor stores, Southern Glazer’s said.
“For them, budget constraints have them looking for value without sacrificing quality, and health and wellness concerns continue to fuel interest in no- and low-alcohol options,” the company said. “Finally, there continues to be a real interest in authenticity, or knowing more about the brands they drink, with smaller, family-owned craft spirits and unique grapes piquing their interest.”
Here are some of the 2024 wine and spirits trends from experts at Southern Glazer’s:
Spirits
- Bubbly cocktails: Featuring a wide range of fizzy “pop-like” spirits and cordials, bubbles will feature in cocktail variations of highballs, tonics and spritzes, and even sparkling margaritas.
- Craft-made liqueurs: Made with unique, locally sourced flavors, liqueurs will gain popularity, driven by consumers’ desire for authenticity and distinctive experiences.
- Exotic-infused spirits: Expect infused or flavored spirits to use exotic ingredients like yuzu, guava, prickly pear, ube or gooseberry offering a unique and adventurous flavor profile.
- Alternative grain whiskeys: Whiskeys made from grains like quinoa, spelt, teff, amaranth, buckwheat and brown rice might become more prominent as big brands explore these options in their mash bills.
- Vermouth renaissance: Artisanal Vermouth, both white and red, is emerging as a trend, with more producers and mixologists exploring its versatility in cocktails and as a stand-alone aperitif.
Wine
- Orange wines: Known for their unique color and aromatic profiles, orange wines will continue to grow in popularity fed by an ongoing interest in natural and organic wines.
- Fortified wines: Expect to see fortified wines, such as port and sherry, gain prominence in cocktails and beverage menus.
- Sauvignon Blanc: Sales continue to rise, as Sauvignon Blanc maintains its popularity across the board. A balanced food-friendly white wine with a lighter body, it has enough complexity for wine lovers while also appealing to the palate of younger wine drinkers.
- Premium sparkling reds: Fully sparkling or frizzante red wines will gain prominence, offering a unique twist on traditional sparkling wine.
- Hybrid varietals: Crossbred grape varietals offering new flavor profiles will potentially gain traction, pushing the boundaries of traditional winemaking.
Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits is a multigenerational, family-owned company. It has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Canada.
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