PREVIEW REPORT 2 0 2 6F U T U R E O F D R I N KPreview Version About the full2026 Future In This Preview The 2026 Future of Drink report from Datassential dives deep into what’sshaping beverage innovation today—from the most opportunity-richparts of the menu. Featuring 137 tested trends across cocktails andspirits, beer, and wine, the report also spotlights the top 20 overall The full 2026 Future of Drink reportdelivers hundreds of data-backedinsights across the entire beveragespectrum—from beer, wine, and Methodology breakouts, and trend themes that map today’s and tomorrow’s beveragelandscape, it’s an essential guide for foodservice professionals looking to The data populating this report is from an online •More than 3,000 consumers were surveyed overall•All were 21+ and enjoy adult beverages once every WHAT’S CHANGED Moved to LaterStage or Fizzled Out New Trends Sometrends that are no longer tracked inthis report can be found in other Datassentialtools, MACs, and publications. Trends we asked about for the first time in 2025. Large-format iceLuxury collections(whiskey, tequila, rum)MSG as a cocktail ingredientNugget icePsilocybin microdosing AI generated flavor profilesArakBeer bottle cocktailsCarajilloCarbonated cocktailsChicha Alcohol-free beerAlcohol-free liquors/spiritsAlcohol-free wineBeer cocktailsBeer with a hint of limeCraft “mocktails” (no alcohol) 2 0 2 6F U T U R E O F D R I N K R E P O R TTop 20 Trends Overall Among trends tested, consumers aremost interested overall in innovationsin wine such as fruit wines, naturalwine, wine cocktails, wines from unique Interest is also high for offerings that are tied topersonal values such as natural wine, drinks for a cause,sustainably produced adult beverages, and alternative Top trends tend toward a sweeter flavor profilewith dessert wines, functional sodas, and highbrow Consumers have high interest in alcohol on tap withboth wine on tap and cocktails on tap in the top 20 2 0 2 6F U T U R E O F D R I N K R E P O R TTopTrends by Gender Women are more drawn than men to many types of winessuch as dessertwines, frizzante wines, orange wines, andsparkling red wines. Women also show a Men are more likely than women tohave higher interestin spirit-basedbeveragessuch as Japanese whisky,spirits aged in wine barrels, Cristalinotequila, and corn whiskey. They also tend 2 0 2 6F U T U R E O F D R I N K R E P O R TCross-Over Creations beverages.Now soda can be alcoholic, beer can be a cocktail, whiskey a seltzer, and so much more. These drinks don’tbother “staying in their lane” and the rules are gone for where certain types of alcohol “belong.” MAC MOVER Low-alcohol“session” Easy-drinking beers or ciders that arevery low in alcohol (less than 3% ABV) 49% awareness+5% VS 2024 47% interest+8% VS 2024 M A CS T A G EP R O L I F E R A T I O Nadoptionin 2024 Low-alcoholcocktails Cocktails that are very low inalcohol (less than 3% ABV). 63% awareness+5% VS 2024 51% interest+5% VS 2024 M A CS T A G EA D O P T I O N Non-alcoholic-only distillerytasting rooms Bars, tasting rooms, and retailstores exclusively selling non-alcoholicdistilled beverages that mirror 34% awareness+3% VS 2024 41% interest+10% VS 2024 M A CS T A G EA D O P T I O N Functionalbeer Beers that are being brewed withfunctional benefits and ingredients 31% awareness+7% VS 2024 46% interest+2% VS 2024 M A CS T A G EI N C E P T I O N Wine on tap Wine available straight fromthe keg through a tap systemthat keeps each glass/pour 48% awareness+2% VS 2024 62% interest+3% VS 2024 M A CS T A G EA D O P T I O N Orange wine White wine that was producedwhere the grapes ferment in 26% awareness+3% VS 2024 58% interest+0% VS 2024 M A CS T A G EA D O P T I O N NEW IN 2025 RegenerativeAgriculture Wineries and vineyards that useregenerative farming practicesspecifically applied to grape growing 28% awarenessNEW IN 2025 54% interestNEW IN 2025 M A CS T A G EI N C E P T I O N NEW IN 2025 Carajillo An alcoholic coffee drink popular inSpain and Latin America, it is made bycombining coffee—typically espresso—with a spirit such as brandy, rum, 34% awarenessNEW IN 2025 55% interestNEW IN 2025 M A CS T A G EADOPTION MAC MOVER Vermouth With its lower ABV and the wide varietyof styles and brands available, vermouthis appearing on drink menus both on itsown or as the primary ingredient that 48% awareness+0% VS 2024 43% interest+4% VS 2024 M A CS T A G EPROLIFERATIONadoptionin 2024 Pickleseltzers Pickle-flavored hard seltzercreated using dill pickle brine. 26% awareness+2% VS 2024 29% interest+3% VS 2024 M A CS T A G EI N C E P T I O N “Dirty” Drink Making your beverage "dirty" byadding cream; a current trend withsoda (i.e., dirty soda with cream), 48% awareness+8% VS 2024 48% interest+0% VS 2024 M A CS T A G EA D O P T I O N Tea-Based Using green tea or chai tea to infusebeer or spirits such as: Left Hand Chai 30% awareness+7% VS 2024 42% inte