The year 2025 was turbulent for the global drinks market. Prices skyrocketed due to tariff pressures, wine brands struggled to retain younger consumers, and experimental beverage trends flooded social media — some brilliant, others gimmicky. But drink trends in 2026 ushers in a fresh chapter. Instead of extremes, the industry is focusing on balance, authenticity, and enjoyment.

Contents

For drinkers, this means:

More affordable options
Better quality control
Sensory-forward drinking (texture, aroma, presentation)
Lower and non-alcoholic choices
A shift toward mindful drinking and shared experiences

Whether you’re a hospitality professional, distributor, bar owner, home mixologist, or drink enthusiast, these 8 drink trends will define 2026.

1. Affordable Wine Lists & Accessible Drinking Culture

For nearly five years, wine pricing was on an uncontrollable upward trend. In 2026, restaurants and wine bars are finally stepping back and rebuilding trust.

What’s Changing?

Restaurants reintroducing value-driven wine menus
Balanced pricing to encourage entry-level drinkers
More by-the-glass options between $10–$19
Rotating lists with categories like “88 Wines Under $88”

Why It Matters

New consumers — especially Millennials and Gen Z — want:

Transparency
Simplicity
Flavor over status

This shift can reinvigorate wine culture, encouraging casual consumption rather than elite exclusivity.

2. Shaved-Ice Cocktails: Texture Takes the Lead

This isn’t a carnival snow cone — this is culinary craftsmanship in a glass. Bars are using shaved ice to elevate classics.

Expect to See

Granita-style daiquiris
Kakigori-inspired highballs
Martini variations topped with ice crystals
Live ice shaving presentation at the bar counter

Why It’s Booming

Perfect for visual-first platforms like TikTok and Instagram
Enhances aroma and dilution control
Creates a multi-temperature flavor journey

Cocktail programs are now pairing spirits with altitude — where texture becomes as important as taste.

3. Aperitivo Evolution: Beyond the Spritz

The Italian lifestyle aesthetic has become a global fascination. Now, 2026 is moving past the spritz and into richer aperitivo territory.

White Negroni
Enzoni
Americano (Modern Variants)
Vermouth highballs
Low-ABV session cocktails

Business Impact

Aperitivo-only bars opening in NYC, LA, London
Hybrid cafés that transition to aperitivo hours
European spirits entering Asian and American markets

This is a lifestyle shift — not a fad.

4. The Rise of Alternative Green Liqueurs

Chartreuse shortages (real or hyped) have inspired a creative wave of herbal liqueurs.

New Players to Watch

Brand	Origin	Style Notes
Fontbonne	Burgundy	Floral, alpine, delicate
Faccia Brutto	Brooklyn	Spiritually close to Chartreuse, bold herbal
Forthave Spirits	USA	Olive-toned, bitter-sweet complexity

Impact on Mixology

More Last Word adaptations
Green Negroni riffs
Bijou variations

This trend rewards drinkers with regional diversity and deeper herbology experiences.

5. Beer Rediscovers Restraint

The craft beer explosion created incredible innovation — but also saturation. 2026 is the reset button.

What’s Coming Back

Traditional lagers
Crisp pilsners
British bitters & milds
Sessionable strength levels (4%–5.5%)

Industry Direction

Breweries scaling back:

Limited geographic distribution
Focused core SKU portfolios
Return to taproom identity

The beer world is rewriting its identity by embracing clarity, heritage, and consistency.

6. The Return of Shareable Cocktails

Communal drinking is back — but with sophistication.

Examples You’ll See

Bouquet punch bowls
Coconut-served rum cocktails for two
Tableside sangria service
Upscale versions of college classics (Scorpion Bowls, Fishbowls)

Bars are investing in:

Large-format glassware
Ceramics and novelty vessels
Assisted service presentations

This trend drives higher check averages and gives guests a reason to post and return.

7. Alternative Packaging Becomes Premium

Packaging is evolving from necessity to identity.

Leading Formats of 2026

Tetra Pak wine
Pouch cocktails
RTD meal-pairing kits
Recyclable bag-in-box wine
Branded novelty containers

Why it Wins

Reduces storage & shipping cost
Younger demographic preference
On-the-go lifestyle compatibility

Sustainability meets style — the new packaging formula.

8. Celebrity-Backed Non-Alcoholic Brands Boom

Non-alcoholic isn’t just a movement — it’s a celebrity-driven market category now.

Major Names in 2026

Tom Holland – BERO
John Mulaney – Years Beer
Bella Hadid – Kin Euphorics
Katy Perry – De Soi
Ben Stiller – Stiller Soda
Robert Downey Jr. – Brand collaborations incoming

Why It Works

Stars bring built-in audiences
NA aligns with wellness culture
Younger audiences want options
Branding is lifestyle-first, flavor-second

The NA space is now a premium sector, not a workaround.

Final Verdict: What 2026 Means for Drinkers

Category	Direction
Wine	Affordability & simplicity
Cocktails	Texture, theatre, community
Beer	Restraint, heritage, clean profiles
Packaging	Innovation, sustainability
NA Sector	Celebrity & wellness driven

2026 is about balance, story, and sensory value — a refreshing contrast to the extremes of previous years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which drinks will trend the most in 2026?
Shaved-ice cocktails, NA celebrity brands, affordable wine lists, and aperitivo variations.

Q2. Which alcohol category will grow fastest?
Non-alcoholic beverages and RTD packaging formats show highest projected growth.

Q3. Will beer get cheaper in 2026?
Not guaranteed — but the move toward simplicity may balance pricing in many regions.