Mixology

30 articles

A modern, sophisticated cocktail hour scene in 2026, with friends enjoying artfully crafted drinks and engaging in warm conversation.
Drinks

Cocktail Hour: Revitalizing Its Cultural Significance for 2026

Many of history's most brilliant writers, artists, and thinkers maintained a sometimes troubled relationship with alcohol, yet their creative output often coincided with the rituals surrounding its co

Daniel Moretti·September 11, 2026
A beautifully styled bar with transitional cocktails, featuring garnishes like apple slices and cinnamon sticks, set against a backdrop of fading summer and emerging fall.
Drinks

Transitional Cocktail Recipes for Summer to Fall Entertaining

Forget the sudden switch from mojitos to mulled wine; a Fall Margarita, blending tequila with apple cider and cinnamon, proves summer's spirit can gracefully evolve into autumn's embrace.

Daniel Moretti·September 10, 2026
A sophisticated bar scene where bartenders expertly prepare classic cocktails like Negronis and Old Fashioneds, reflecting a growing consumer preference for heritage drinks.
Trends

Classic Cocktails Surge, Signaling Future Beverage Trends

In 2023, sales of Negronis and Old Fashioneds collectively surged by 25% across premium bars in major US cities, outpacing growth for all other cocktail categories combined, according to NielsenIQ .

Daniel Moretti·September 7, 2026
A close-up of an artfully prepared cocktail at 'Spaces Available', a new bar by the creators of Death & Co. in Seattle.
Drinks

Creators of Death & Co. Open New Cocktail Concept in Seattle

Despite being billed as the first Seattle outpost of New York's famed Death & Co.

Daniel Moretti·September 5, 2026
A meticulously prepared Old Fashioned cocktail, showcasing its rich amber color and orange peel garnish, set against a backdrop of fine bourbons.
Drinks

Top 5 Bourbon Cocktails Ranked by Complexity and Flavor

A perfectly executed Old Fashioned, with just three ingredients beyond the bourbon, can reveal more layers of flavor than a ten-ingredient concoction, challenging common perceptions of cocktail comple

Daniel Moretti·September 2, 2026
A classic Old Fashioned cocktail sits on a polished bar, bathed in warm light, representing America's most searched drink.
Drinks

Top 5 Most Googled Cocktails in America

In 2026, the Old Fashioned surprisingly reigns as America's most searched cocktail, surpassing even the ubiquitous Margarita.

Daniel Moretti·August 31, 2026
A sophisticated, spicy and savory cocktail with unique garnishes, presented in a luxurious bar setting.
Drinks

Spicy and Savory Cocktails Embrace Unique Flavors in Mixology

At the Four Seasons Resort Mallorca, a 'Dirty Bamboo Highball' will debut, its savory, saline notes signaling a bold departure from traditional sweet cocktails.

Daniel Moretti·August 23, 2026
A stylish home bar setup featuring essential bartending tools and a hand expertly crafting a colorful cocktail, ready for enjoyment.
Drinks

Home Cocktail Recipes & Essential Bartending Tools

A new book, 'Shake & Sip: Recipes from the Best Bars in America,' now offers cocktail recipes specifically designed for home bartenders, promising professional results without the professional fuss.

Daniel Moretti·August 19, 2026
A skilled bartender meticulously prepares a vibrant non-alcoholic cocktail in a stylish bar, while patrons enjoy a calm and social ambiance.
Drinks

How are Non-Alcoholic Spirits Made to Mimic Alcohol's Effects?

At a mere 0.02% blood alcohol content, alcohol's relaxing effects begin, primarily by enhancing a single brain chemical: GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid. This subtle neurological shift offers a sense

Daniel Moretti·August 17, 2026
A modern bartender expertly prepares a revitalized Grasshopper cocktail in a chic bar setting, showcasing the resurgence of classic drinks with contemporary flair.
Drinks

Bartenders Revive Classic Cocktails with Modern Twists in 2026

The Grasshopper cocktail, once a forgotten after-dinner mint, is now being reimagined with bitter Fernet Branca Menta and even transformed into non-alcoholic ice cream.

Daniel Moretti·August 14, 2026
A skilled bartender in a sophisticated bar setting creates a visually stunning, innovative cocktail with unique ingredients and a touch of theatrical flair.
Drinks

Bartenders Craft Bold New Cocktails with Unique Ingredients

This summer, a 'Coke Float 2.

Daniel Moretti·August 12, 2026
A sophisticated bartender in 2026 preparing a classic tequila cocktail with fresh ingredients and elegant glassware in a refined bar setting.
Drinks

5 Classic Tequila Cocktails to Rediscover in 2026

In 1937, the Matador cocktail debuted as an equal-parts blend of tequila, orange Curaçao, and French vermouth, a sophisticated, spirit-forward drink documented in the Café Royal Cocktail Book, accordi

Daniel Moretti·August 10, 2026
A visually stunning, vibrantly colored cocktail with intricate garnish, showcasing the importance of color in modern mixology.
Trends

Why Color-Centric Cocktails Rival Traditional Tastes

Before a single drop touches the tongue, a cocktail's vibrant hue or subtle shade has already set a powerful expectation, stirring anticipation for the taste to come.

Daniel Moretti·August 9, 2026
A bartender expertly prepares a spicy guava margarita, showcasing the growing trend of heat and savory flavors in modern cocktails.
Drinks

Bartenders Embrace Spicy Savory Cocktail Trends with New Ingredients

At Salty Flame, the Spicy Guava Margarita, crafted with Don Julio tequila and spicy agave syrup, exemplifies a major shift: consumers now actively seek heat over sweetness in their cocktails.

Daniel Moretti·August 7, 2026
Close-up of delicate botanicals like juniper and citrus peels in a non-alcoholic spirit distillery, showcasing vacuum distillation equipment.
Drinks

What Is The Science Behind Non-Alcoholic Spirits Ingredients?

At a non-alcoholic spirit distillery, botanicals are boiled at temperatures lower than a warm bath, thanks to vacuum distillation, preserving delicate flavors that would otherwise vanish.

Daniel Moretti·August 5, 2026
An elegantly crafted non-alcoholic cocktail served in a stylish glass, set against the backdrop of a chic, modern bar.
Drinks

Sophisticated Non-Alcoholic Cocktails for Happy Hour

At top-tier bars like Porchlight and Dante, renowned mixologists are now dedicating their creative talents to crafting complex non-alcoholic cocktails.

Daniel Moretti·August 4, 2026
A close-up of a Hugo Spritz cocktail with elderflower, mint, and lime, set against a blurred urban backdrop on a sunny day.
Drinks

Hugo Spritz Searches Surge 1,121% As It Challenges Aperol's Reign

Yelp reported a staggering 1,121% increase in searches for 'Hugo Spritz' compared to the previous year.

Daniel Moretti·August 3, 2026
A master mixologist in a Parisian bar crafts a visually stunning cocktail, celebrating the venue's award as the world's best new cocktail bar.
Drinks

Parisian Bar Named World's Best New Cocktail Bar

Mainland China now boasts a record seven bars on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 list, signaling a dramatic shift in the global cocktail landscape.

Daniel Moretti·July 31, 2026
A bartender prepares a spicy, savory cocktail with chili garnishes, reflecting the summer 2026 trend away from sugary drinks.
Drinks

Summer 2026 Sees Rise of Spicy and Savory Cocktails

For summer 2026, sugary cocktails are out.

Daniel Moretti·July 30, 2026
A stylish home bar featuring convenience store items like pickle brine and soda bottles, alongside cocktail tools, suggesting creative and accessible drink making.
Drinks

Creative Convenience Store Cocktail Recipes for Your Home Bar

A jar of dill pickle brine, typically destined for the trash, can elevate a Bloody Mary to an unexpected level of savory sophistication, proving that gourmet cocktails can hide in plain sight.

Daniel Moretti·July 16, 2026
A perfectly made authentic Mai Tai cocktail on a bar, with a blurred tropical beach scene in the background.
Drinks

Top 6 Travel Inspired Cocktails to Make at Home

A true Mai Tai is not red or bright orange, nor does it contain pineapple or orange juice.

Daniel Moretti·July 12, 2026
A vintage speakeasy bar scene where a bartender crafts a classic bourbon cocktail with meticulous care.
Drinks

Five Underrated Old-School Bourbon Cocktails to Rediscover

A 1930s bartender's guide listed over 50 bourbon cocktails, yet today's menus rarely feature more than ten.

Daniel Moretti·July 9, 2026
A close-up of an artfully prepared craft cocktail with unique garnishes, set against a stylish bar backdrop.
Drinks

Major Cities Showcase Emerging Craft Cocktail Trends

In Phoenix, "The Little Woody" opened last month, featuring cocktails infused with local prickly pear and mesquite, according to Phoenix New Times .

Daniel Moretti·July 8, 2026
A small, perfectly crafted margarita and a classic negroni cocktail displayed on a stylish bar counter in Chicago, representing affordable luxury.
Drinks

Craft cocktails were pricey; mini-cocktails offer a 2026 solution.

In Chicago, you can now find a well-crafted margarita for $7 or a negroni for $10.

Daniel Moretti·July 8, 2026
A close-up of a classic Negroni cocktail on a bar, with a bartender in the background, highlighting the art of mixology and popular drink choices.
Drinks

Top International Cocktails: Popularity & Bartender Views

Despite a 300% surge in Espresso Martini orders over the last five years, top bartenders still champion the perfectly balanced Negroni or the elegant Daiquiri as true benchmarks of their craft.

Daniel Moretti·July 1, 2026
A sophisticated mixologist prepares an innovative savory cocktail with unique ingredients like olive brine and mushroom tincture at a high-end bar.
Drinks

What Is the Emerging Savory Cocktail Trend and Its Flavor Profiles?

At a high-end New York City bar, bartenders now routinely craft drinks featuring olive brine, mushroom tinctures, and even bacon fat.

Daniel Moretti·June 24, 2026
A group of friends enjoying easy-to-make, colorful summer cocktails on a sunny patio, embodying effortless entertaining.
Drinks

6 Easy Summer Cocktail Recipes for Effortless Entertaining

Forget complicated concoctions: this summer, experts predict the refreshing simplicity of a cucumber gimlet will be the drink everyone's asking for.

Daniel Moretti·June 21, 2026
Close-up of a bartender's hands precisely measuring ingredients for a cocktail with a jigger at a home bar.
Drinks

Mastering Precision for Balanced Home Cocktails

Many home bartenders approach cocktail making casually, but achieving true balance and professional-level quality in cocktails demands precision and meticulous attention to detail.

Daniel Moretti·June 17, 2026
A bartender meticulously prepares a colorful cocktail, showcasing the art and craft of mixology in a stylish bar setting.
Drinks

How to Choose Great Cocktails: A Practical Guide

Faced with a menu full of exotic names like Chartreuse or Cynar, many cocktail drinkers simply guess, missing the opportunity to ask their bartender for a taste or description that could lead to their

Daniel Moretti·June 17, 2026
A gourmet deconstructed burger bowl and a Pink Lady smash cocktail presented elegantly on a bar counter, showcasing sophisticated food and drink pairings.
Drinks

Elevating Your Burger with Cocktail Pairings

Forget the standard beer: a deconstructed burger bowl with potato wedges is now being served alongside a Pink Lady® smash cocktail, proving that gourmet burger pairings have moved far beyond the pint

Daniel Moretti·June 16, 2026