The biggest cocktail and drink trends in 2026 - The Manual

*this article first appeared on themanual.com November 2025: full article here

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The importance of the glass

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“The next frontier in an effort for visibility and to leave our bartender’s mark on the world of cocktails is our glassware,” says Tom Hogan, co-founder of hospitality consultancy Studio Ryecroft.

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Atmosphere is one thing, often hinging on decor, lighting, and music. But glassware is valuable too, and perhaps even more so, dictating how the drink performs in terms of aroma and flavor, and also just running up the presentation points. Expect a greater sensitivity towards glassware next year (even if the vessel itself is not even made out of glass).

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Clay’s resurgence

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Unlike oak, clay doesn’t add flavour; it shapes texture. Its porous structure allows micro-oxygenation, softening sharp edges and opening up aromatics without the heavy vanilla or tannin of wood,” says Tom Hogan, founder of Studio Ryecroft.

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No & low pushing forth

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Bare will only continue responding to the demand for no- and low-ABV offerings (particularly in the US, where the percentage of adults who say they drink alcohol has fallen to its lowest since polling began in 1939, according to Gallup). This can only mean better mocktails and lower-alcohol offerings that taste as good, if not better, than conventional versions.

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Global diffusion of cocktail culture

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All you have to do is take a look at the World’s Best Bars list and see just how global the scene is. The major cities still do quite wel, l but there are always up-and-comers or places you might not expect that are doing incredible work behind the bar. Peru is a great example as of late, or oft-overlooked American cities like Milwaukee.

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