An Upgrade to the Adult Beverages – Food Trends 2011

Do you like this post?

Right now, I can clearly see that there is a shift in the interest of consumers when it comes to adult beverages. I have seen customers’ preferences when it comes to alcoholic beverages, and I have also read in the Internet about this current trend. They want more quality adult beverages, more creative and innovative drinks, and healthier adult beverages, too. Because of this ongoing and strengthening trend that started last year, I think that this will continue on to 2011.

So, what specifically is the new trend when it comes to adult beverages, and furthermore, what can we, as chefs, do to accommodate the new trend yet be creative enough not to be labeled as mediocre?

The New Adult Beverage Trend

Here are some of the emerging trends when it comes to adult beverages:

Retro style cocktails. Thanks to AMC’s Mad Men, there seems to be an increasing “want” for the 1960’s cocktail mixes. We are sure to see comebacks of adult beverages like classic martinis, mint julep, and bloody mary.
Good-quality bourbon and good-quality gin. Of course, consumers will always want the best, and for the next year, we are sure to see more good quality stuff, especially when it comes to bourbons and gins.
Craft beers. In a nutshell, craft beers are simply alcoholic products manufactured by smaller breweries as well as beer bars, among others. They were popular about 25 years ago, and it seems to be having a comeback this year.
Craft punches. As for craft punches, one emerging trend is the sangria or Spanish wine punch. It is simply a red wine punch mixed in with some fruits. Oftentimes, brandy is also added to the mix for an added “oomph.”
Cocktails that make use of floral as well as herbal ingredients. Cocktails made trendier by herbs and flowers are usually seen during the spring season, but now, this may very well be seen all throughout the year.
Skinny cocktails. In a nutshell, skinny cocktails are simply cocktails that have a low-calorie content. This is very popular among girls who want to retain their figures and still enjoy a good cocktail mix. Right now, skinny cocktails are fast becoming popular in restaurant bars and fast-casual eateries.

What Chefs Can Do

Except for creating new dishes that will go best with the new trends in adult beverages, it becomes apparent that there is the need to learn more about being a mixologist. Simply put, they are bar chefs who not only create new drinks but also make use of local as well as seasonal ingredients in the creation of such new adult drinks.

For this reason, here are some tips on how chefs can capitalize on the new trend and become known not only for his cuisine but also for his drinks as well.

If you simply want to focus on your cuisine yet want to capitalize on the trends, you will need to have a very good relationship with your sommelier or your bar chef to come up with excellent food-alcohol pairings.
However, if you want to create your own drinks but do not know where to start, then you can get your inspiration from trade shows as well as from TV shows. You can also get your inspiration from other bar chefs as well as restaurants. To start, you should visit vintners and wineries as well as distilleries and breweries to find out what the latest trends in alcoholic brands and labels are. Aside form knowing this, you will also need to know the local as well as the seasonal ingredients that you can incorporate into your new drinks. Some mixologists are not afraid to make use of bold ingredients like bacon as well as vegetables to enhance the flavor of the drink. However, if this is too bold for you, you could always choose the safest “bet,” which are fresh and organic herbal and floral ingredients. The important thing to remember here is that there should be a good blending of the alcohol and the ingredients to provide a frenzy of flavors and textures.

Mixing your own new drinks may seem crazy and scary at the same time, but if you have the palate for tastes, flavors, and textures, then you will have the confidence in creating new drinks. It will be a trial and error procedure, but with determination and perseverance, you can create your own trendy drinks for 2011.

Stay tuned and keep a look out for the remaining top trend predictions associated to the food and beverage industry in 2011.

Image Credit: foodvu.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

Currently 1 comment - But what do you think?