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Gazing into the culinary future of 2025, it’s clear that protein-packed dishes, globally-inspired snacks, functional foods, and crave-worthy crunch will dominate our plates.
But the question remains—what drinks will take centre stage to complement these trends?
Better Home & Gardens asked industry experts to spill about the broad beverage trends we can look forward to in 2025, and it’s looking fresh!
One thing is for sure, experimental beverage events are huge right now.
Imagine sipping perfectly crafted cocktails or spirit-free drinks paired with every track at a live concert – Swifties would go nanas for an experimental The Eras Tour cocktail event, right? Or picture stepping into a themed bar brimming with décor inspired by an upcoming holiday, a beloved nostalgic TV show, or a blockbuster movie series—all while enjoying fascinating drinks with mixers like Fitch & Leedes to elevate every sip.
According to Bacardi’s sixth annual 2025 Cocktail Trends Report, multi-sensory and immersive drink experiences are set to steal the spotlight in 2025. Supporting the buzz, late 2024 Google Trends showed a 150% jump in searches for “pop-up bar” and a 54% spike for “immersive bar” compared to December 2023.
“I think the idea of experiential beverage events is super fun,” says Lexi Parker, lead bartender at Poka Lola Social Club in Denver, Colorado. “We’ve been doing pop-ups for more than two years, and it’s a great way to bring people into the bar who might not have heard of us before.”
With their versatility and creative flair, mixers like Fitch & Leedes are a perfect match for these experiences. Parker emphasizes how such events fuel both guest excitement and staff enthusiasm:
“It’s been really fun to have an entire theme paired with our cocktails. Restaurant and bar owners are always trying to come up with new and exciting ideas for creating memorable experiences, and I think this will continue trending and grow in 2025. Pairing with concerts or soundscapes sounds really cool to me!”
Speaking of sodas, experts anticipate a wave of creative innovations in 2025, from bold new flavours to a flurry of decadent soda floats popping up on menus.
The prebiotic soda category is also fizzing with potential. Google searches for “soda shops” rose 36% from December 2023 to December 2024, while queries for “prebiotic soda” and “fibre soda” spiked by 79% and 42%, respectively.
A nostalgic twist making waves is the rise of dirty sodas, a trend reignited by their feature on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
“In case you missed it, this involves customizing sodas with all sorts of add-ins. Think of it like the Cold Stone Creamery of sodas,” says Andrew Freeman, founder of boutique marketing firm af&co.
“Take any soda and add cream, fruit, cookies, or tapioca balls—it becomes a very interactive station or experience at any party. We expect to see shops and bars featuring dirty sodas soon.”
Sodas remain a fizzy, fun, and inclusive option for those preferring non-alcoholic drinks, with Fitch & Leedes mixers perfectly positioned to elevate these creations. Parker, lead bartender at Poka Lola Social Club, shares her excitement:
“I’m looking forward to crafting mixed drinks that celebrate classic soda flavors like root beer or cola. It sounds like we were ahead of the trend by selecting the Amalfi Diet as our 2024 cocktail of fall!”
Whether it’s a dirty soda or a vintage-inspired fizzy classic, Fitch & Leedes continues to offer the perfect ingredient for a bubbly, flavorful experience.
Happy sipping in 2025!
[Source: Better Home&Gardens]