Some people have their local bar where the staff know their drink, others like to host parties and surprise guests with the newest and most unique concoctions. Nowadays, with so many new drinks and crowd favorites to choose from, it can be hard to pick just one drink to enjoy. We explore the different types of spirits on the market, and which one is for you below!
The rise of cocktail culture
If you’ve ever watched the TV show Scrubs, you’ll have witnessed numerous scenes where the main character J.D was berated for ordering an Appletini. As the world becomes more progressive and inclusive, the days of drinks being deemed ‘girly’ are becoming a thing of the past.
The pandemic also has a part to play in the shift in drink trends, with a lot of people taking the ‘treat yourself’ motto to the next level and ordering a variety of different cocktails every weekend. After long stints in snd out of lockdowns, many of us are feeling this sense of throwing caution to the wind and living a little – if that comes in the form of a fancy cocktail glass with an umbrella, then we’re all for it!
Vodka doesn’t have to be basic
People often joke about girls ordering vodka with soda water and how it’s ‘basic’. Yes, when you initially think of the two plain ingredients, their flavours may seem lackluster, but people forget that there’s now a myriad of vodka and soda out there to experiment with. Fever-tree produces top-quality, refreshing soda water in the form of blood orange, Mexican lime and Raspberry and Rosé. Stoli and Absolut are also vodka brands that are known for producing flavours like vanilla vodka, watermelon, raspberry and more.
As people age, they often become more health-conscious, and suddenly it dawns on them that alcohol can be calorific! Vodka is one of the lowest-calorie options there is. If you’re someone that likes to have a good time but also wants to stay trim, vodka is the optimum choice – basic or not.
Is it gin for the win?
The growing popularity of flavoured tonics and sodas from brands like CAPI and the Fever-Tree have the gin craze to thank for their growing profit margins! Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 5 to 7 years, you’ll know that gin went from being synonymous with older ladies and housewives to being downright cool. Oversized glasses, colourful fruit, and bespoke gin menus are just some of the things that have become the norm in bars and households alike. Gin sees no ‘gin-der’ – it’s now a universally appreciated spirit that’s here to stay. So whether you’re a suited-up corporate or tattooed creative, you’ll always look at home with a glass of gin in hand!
Born to rum?
Like gin, rum is another spirit that’s had its own connotations in the past but has made a big resurgence in the last decade or so. This is largely due to the versatility of the spirit, with an array of drink creations being produced with white, dark or spiced rum as the main character. Brands like Captain Morgan, Mount Gay and Bacardi are constantly finding innovative and exciting ways to keep their products on-trend.
The fandom for this spirit is going nowhere fast, with entire bars dedicated to rum now opening across the country. It’s safe to say, it’s not just sailors that favour this pour, but a sophisticated man that prefers the sweetness of rum over the richness of whiskey.
Whisky – a touch of class in your glass
According to bartenders, somebody that orders a specific scotch, or a bourbon knows what they want. Choosing to drink whisky can be influenced by several factors. If you’re not a big drinker and prefer quality over quantity, then having a drop of single malt after dinner might be your go-to over partying with a cheaper alternative. There may also be cultural influences at play. The older generation of men in Ireland tends to order a ‘pint and a drop’ which is a stout and a drop of their favourite whiskey as a chaser, whereas Americans are known for their bourbon, and a ‘Jack and Coke’ is a popular order in most bars.
Maybe you’re someone who has a ‘go-to’ spirit on this list, someone that will drink anything or maybe you just want a regular old beer – the fact of the matter is, we live in an age where we can order and create the drinks that we want.
Check out a plethora of drinks brands on our website. If you need inspiration and information on the latest trends across whiskey, rum, vodka and more, pop into your local Sessions Liquor and the team will be happy to help you!
