Summer 2025 is heating up, and cocktail culture is evolving with it. From functional low or
no-alc cocktails to immersive activations, bars and restaurants are redefining what it means to serve a drink. Customers aren’t just looking for something refreshing. They’re seeking drinks that tell a story, spark conversation, and look great in their camera roll. With the RTD market getting stronger every day, those details are absolutely necessary if you want to attract new visitors and keep them coming back.
Here’s how to keep your menu on trend this summer season.
Summer 2025 Cocktail Trend #1: Low‑ABV & No‑Proof Creations
Mocktails aren’t just for “Dry January” anymore – more and more of your guests are opting for low-alcohol or zero-proof cocktails all year long. These drinks feel just as crafted and complex as their boozy counterparts, with ingredients like sparkling teas, aperitifs, and botanical infusions stealing the spotlight.
If you don’t have a dedicated mocktail section on your menu this season, you’re missing out on thousands of dollars in revenue. But you also have to make sure your mocktails are impressive enough, in both taste and presentation, for your customers to feel like Ripples fills it. Printed foam designs give non-alcoholic drinks the same visual appeal as signature cocktails, ensuring every guest has a shareable experience, no matter what’s in their glass.
Summer 2025 Cocktail Trend #2: Savory Flavors
This summer, cocktails are embracing bold, savory, and spicy profiles. Miso-infused margaritas, chili-spiked spritzes, and earthy mushroom martinis are winning over adventurous palates. These complex flavors create a sensory story that bartenders love to tell.
Summer 2025 Cocktail Trend #3: Unexpected Garnishes & Presentations
Wellness drinks as mushroom and adaptogen-infused brews are gaining mainstream traction, especially Gen Z seeking cognitive, immunity, or mood boosters. These functional offerings bridge the gap between coffee and self-care, making them ideal additions to café menus.
Summer 2025 Cocktail Trend #4: Local & Seasonal Focus
Hyper-local and seasonal ingredients are taking over cocktail menus. Herbs from the bar’s rooftop garden, house-made syrups featuring regional fruits, and menus that change with the seasons are the perfect way to tell a story with your drinks, as well as a way to gracefully tap into the sustainability conversations your customers are already having. Customers love a story behind their drink and Ripples can help you tell it. Share the name of your partner farm or print a picture of the herbs in the drink to highlight this extra special touch from your drink menu.
Summer 2025 Cocktail Trend #5: Immersive Experiences
Bars are going beyond drinks, transforming into spaces where guests want to linger and connect. Think daytime art workshops, evening DJ sets, or a drink menu that’s an activity. These immersive experiences build loyalty and make the bar a destination, not just a pit stop.
Summer 2025 Cocktail Trend #6: TikTok-Worthy Drinks
Bright, layered cocktails in clear glassware continue to dominate social feeds. Espresso martinis, colorful spritzes, and color-changing, floral-forward butterfly pea powder infused gin fizzes all make the cut when they’re visually striking. Smart venues are leaning into bold colors and unexpected presentations to give guests something to post.
Add a Ripples print and you’ve got the ultimate finishing touch: an Instagram-ready drink that draws attention far beyond the bar. Tie in a limited-time menu offer and you’re near guaranteed to get people through the door.
Stay Ahead of Every Trend with the Ripple Maker Drink Printer
This summer’s cocktail trends are all about creating drinks that pull guests out of their apartments and into your venue. With the Ripple Maker, every order becomes an opportunity to connect,whether it’s a drink that aligns with your customer’s value or lifestyle, a pop culture reference, or your guest’s own photo.
Turn every drink into a shareable moment. Drive traffic. Keep your customers coming back.
Learn how Ripples helps bars and restaurants make every drink a moment.
