Top Cocktail Trends For 2018
Whether celebrating a business deal, toasting to a milestone or romancing your loved one, there is a signature cocktail for every occasion. Each year, mixologists and bartenders concoct new delicious beverages as well as add their own twist to old standbys. From trends in skinny cocktails, muddled flavor infused to frozen cocktails, sit down and pour yourself a glass, as the event planners at The Manor share the top cocktail trends for 2018.
The Skinny On Low-Calorie Cocktails
Shaken? Stirred? Cocktail trends for 2018 feature virtually every signature cocktail without having to drink away countless calories. During those chilly winter nights ditch the traditional apple cider and switch to a spiked beverage. The Skinny Cinnamon Apple Champagne Martini is a perfect seasonal, low-calorie option combining champagne, apple vodka, and cinnamon whiskey. These drinks are not particularly sweet, which allow you to add a dash of simple syrup made with Sweet n’ Low. For additional sweetness, muddle apple slices to add to your glass.
Instead of the go-to vodka and tonic, opt for a more flavorful Skinny Strawberry Mojito made with fresh muddled mint and sweet cut strawberries, Stevia, light rum, and club soda, garnish this cocktail with a lime. This is a delicious and refreshing drink perfect for the upcoming summer season.
Light liquor options can also mean limiting the amount of alcohol in a beverage. To cut calories, it is important to use caution as the following liquors are calorie kings filled with sugar: Schnapps’, Triple Sec, Crème De Menthe, Bacardi 151, Wild Turkey, bourbons, whiskey, Cognac, Champagne, Gin, Vodka, pale ale beers, lager beers. A general rule of thumb is that hard liquors tend to contain more calories, approximately 80-97 calories per shot, more so than wine or beer, which can range greatly.
Coffee Infused Cocktails
Food manufacturers infuse coffee in almost everything from energy drinks to ice cream. Bar and spirits experts predict that coffee flavored adult beverages will gain popularity in 2018. Espresso martinis are a tasty coffee-flavored cocktail that will never go out of style. To create the perfect coffee martini, shake coffee beans, coffee-infused vodka, Kahlua, espresso, and ice together in a shaker.
For a fancy delicacy on your palette try a Brazilian national cocktail called “The Caipirinha”. A classic Caipirinha features a spirit called Cachaça, which is a rum-like spirit made from fermented sugar cane juice and infuses fresh coffee beans for 24-hours to achieve the best taste.
Coffee drinkers do not have to rely on the bartender to enjoy a sweet beverage. Consider adding a dash or shot of the following cordials to your coffee cups: Café Patron, Frangelico, Kahlua, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Amaretto, Butterscotch Schnapps’ and Grand Marnier. But perhaps the best way to mix in liquor is to add a frothy foam, whipped cream, half and half, drizzle butterscotch, caramel or a drop of vanilla essence.
Infusing Wine Into Frozen Cocktails
The 2017 trend of the blended “Frosé” a frozen rose, swept bars and beach bars across America this past summer. Experts believe this adult slushy will be a staple to quench thirsts for summer 2018. To make your own Frosé, select a dark bodied rose to freeze in a pan. Keep in mind the color will fade and it will become diluted once frozen. Next, boil ½ a cup of sugar with 8 ounces of strawberries before covering and putting aside to chill. Mix in 2.5 ounces of lemon juice and add 1cup ice into a blender with the frozen rose, sugar/strawberry mixture, puree and enjoy. Similarly, fruity frozen cocktails like strawberry and lime daiquiris and Margaritas will impress and refresh this coming year.
Creating Unique Pairings with Hard Liquor
A top trend for 2018 includes creating a multi-sensory experience in food and alcoholic beverages. While it is common to pair wine with artisan cheeses, new spirit trends will begin pairing Tequila with oysters, Gin with a prawn cocktail, Whisky with beef, Rum with pork, and Vodka with caviar. Pairing specific hard liquor cocktails with signature foods or even cocktail hour hors d’oeuvres to create an over the top and memorable dining experience.
Choosing Your Perfect Cocktail
The event planners at The Manor are sure to think of every last detail for your upcoming event including a specialty his and her cocktails for your wedding, wedding cocktail party tips, a company cocktail for a business lunch, or a Mom-mosa for a baby shower. Consider any of these 2018 cocktail trends when our dining or when bartending a party in your home. Cheers!
