Gin in the Spotlight: Bacardi’s Cocktail Trends Report 2026

Local flavours, meaningful connections and creative serves are set to shape cocktail culture, with the Gin & Tonic and Dry Martini retaining their place among the world’s leading cocktails.

Published in November 2025, Bacardi’s 2026 Cocktail Trends Report, produced in partnership with strategic foresight consultancy The Future Laboratory, explores five trends expected to influence cocktail culture and the wider spirits industry in 2026. Its findings offer interesting insights for gin producers, bartenders and brands looking to connect with consumers through flavour, provenance and memorable experiences.

Gin remains firmly on the global cocktail menu. The report ranks two Gin based stalwarts in the Top 10 – the Gin & Tonic (9th) and the Dry Martini (10th), and noone disputes the Negroni as the top cocktail in the top bars. Both serves demonstrate the continuing importance of gin in classic cocktail culture, from the simple appeal of a well-made G&T to the precision and craftsmanship associated with a Martini.

Five trends with implications for gin

1. Afternoon Society – new occasions for gin
Consumers are increasingly exploring earlier social occasions, with the rise of the “daycap” reflecting a shift towards more intentional, earlier-evening drinking. For gin, this presents opportunities for refreshing serves, smaller cocktails and lighter occasions built around the G&T, spritz-style drinks and other approachable long drinks.

2. Rewilding Connection – bringing people together
The report highlights consumers’ desire for more meaningful, face-to-face social experiences. Gin brands and bars can respond through shared tasting experiences, Martini flights, collaborative events and serves that encourage conversation rather than simply providing a drink.

3. New Localogy – provenance and local botanicals
One of the most relevant trends for gin is the growing interest in the origins of ingredients. Bacardi reports that 77% of consumers surveyed check ingredient-origin labels, seeking locally sourced ingredients. With botanicals central to gin’s identity, producers have an opportunity to tell compelling stories about local ingredients, regional character, responsible sourcing and the people and places behind their spirits.

4. The Liquid Experience – beyond the glass
Cocktails are increasingly being presented as complete experiences, combining flavour with storytelling, design, music and other cultural influences. For gin brands, this creates opportunities to build distinctive identities around their heritage, production methods, botanical choices and suggested serves, helping consumers connect with the story behind the bottle. <Cite refs=

5. More Is More Mixology – creativity and theatre
After a period of understated presentation, the report anticipates renewed interest in visually striking, theatrical cocktails. Gin’s versatility makes it well suited to experimentation with layered flavours, distinctive garnishes, innovative glassware and creative presentation, while retaining the spirit’s essential botanical character. <Cite refs={[“turn652331search0″,”turn652331search5”]}/>

What does this mean for gin?

Taken together, the findings suggest that opportunity lies not only in the spirit itself, but in how gin is presented, experienced and connected to consumers’ lives. Provenance and botanical storytelling can help brands communicate distinctiveness, while new occasions and imaginative serves can introduce gin to different audiences and settings.

The report also reinforces the continuing relevance of established classics. With both the Gin & Tonic and Dry Martini featuring in the global top ten, there remains a strong platform for gin, alongside opportunities for producers and bartenders to reinterpret familiar serves and explore new flavour combinations.

Read the full report: Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report 2026

Source: Bacardi Limited, published 17 November 2025, in partnership with The Future Laboratory.