The Monin Autumn/Winter Drinks Trends report 2024 to 2025 said that customers are looking for treats, quality drinks and experiences.
It also found there was a crossover between coffee and cocktails with consumers continuing with their “adventurous behaviour”.
While classic cocktails are still key consumers are increasingly looking for innovative modern cocktails and new cocktail categories with different spirits and exciting serves.
Monin conducted first-hand research, visiting more than 200 venues across the UK, backed up with third-party research, to compile the first of two annual reports, revealing the coffee and cocktail trends expected to shine on seasonal drinks menus across the on-trade.
The Monin report predicted these trends:
Nostalgia
Hailed as one of the top trends for 2025, nostalgic drinks are topping menus.
Bringing back the joy of childhood favourites, adding modern twists to classic serves and celebrating decades gone by are sure to be popular next season.
Adventurous Behaviour
Consumers are daring to experiment with flavours, formats and unusual combinations.
Some 42% of consumers would choose a cocktail based on its ‘interesting ingredients’ seeking excitement and novelty from drinks.
Fusions
With the coffee shop and bar markets crossing over, and venues looking to offer the next “new thing”, customers can expect combinations such as coffee/cocktail hybrids, merging drink concepts and flavour fusions.
Functional Benefits
Health remains a top priority for consumers, and Monin suggests venues embrace this trend by adding a healthier twist to serves such as lower ABV, lower calories and sugar content, or an added nutritional benefit such as matcha.
Monin UK digital & insights marketing manager Libby Wales said: “We’re pleased to share our latest insights into industry trends and preferences, through our latest Autumn/Winter Drink Trends Report.
She added: “Covering the coffee market and cocktail market from independents to branded chains, we’re confident that the report is the most extensive on the market, offering beneficial insight to our customers.”
