What drink trends might disappear in 2022?

It’s safe to say, the last few years have been a bit of a rollercoaster! While it’s been a tough time for the hospitality industry, it’s looking like things (and we cross our fingers as we say it) are starting to slowly feel ‘normal’ again. While the post-lockdown boom saw the popularity of cocktails soar, there are some drink trends that we may be waving goodbye to in 2022. Check out our predictions below! 

Sipping just ‘white’ or ‘red’ wine

Customers often ordered a house red or white when at a bar or restaurant, but in the last few years, wine drinkers have become far more knowledgeable about their pours. With wineries across Australia being a destination holiday for many, wine drinkers are constantly learning about different regions and varietals. They’re asking more questions about wine and getting much more comfortable with knowing exactly what they want in their glass. With this growth in awareness comes a shift in price points too. Nowadays, wine drinkers that know what they want aren’t afraid to spend a little more and opt for sips like a Trebbiano white wine instead of a classic pinot grigio, or a Nebbiolo red instead of any shiraz. 

Quantity over quality

Speaking of drinkers learning what they like and dislike, consumers are most certainly opting for quality over quantity in 2022 and beyond. While the pandemic had devastating effects in many respects, it did cause an interesting stir in the world of consumer trends. Months in lockdown and having online drinks resulted in drinkers learning cocktail skills, educating themselves on quality ingredients and understanding the (delicious) impact they can have on their chosen tipple. Lockdown also changed consumer attitudes – there’s still a huge shared sense of making the most of freedom, with ‘treat yourself’ continuing to be a collective state of mind.  

Drinking drinks that are made unsustainably

While customers are living life to the fullest when it comes to ordering quality drinks, they’re also acutely aware of climate change and the effect consumerism has on it. While we’ve witnessed the removal of plastic straws from bar counters, the expectation for brands to ‘do better’ now goes beyond your simple ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. A focus is currently being placed on initiatives like the reduction of single-use plastic in drinks packaging, reducing the use of chemicals in winemaking, and locally sourcing ingredients. 

Amping up the ABV content

The trend of everyone doing shots and drinking heavily on a Saturday night isn’t as strong as it used to be. Behold – the emergence of non-alcoholic drinks that actually taste good! The non-alc options on the market in the last few years are pretty impressive. Customers that used to be faced with choosing a high-sugar soft drink or basic sparkling water on a night out can now select non-alc beer, wine and spirits, with top brands all adding delicious booze-free alternatives to their repertoire. 

Social media and apps like ‘rethink’ are also contributing to the ‘normalisation’ of living an alcohol-free life. Consumers are becoming more health-conscious and the stigma around being alcohol-free seems to be waning. Gradually, we’re seeing that people can now comfortably say ‘no’ to alcohol without getting a barrage of questions from their peers. 

The decreased interest in lager

When it comes to beer trends over the last five years, craft has most certainly been king. Breweries are popping up faster than you can sink a cold one, with ales and stouts now available in a myriad of flavours. One type of beer that got left behind in this craze, however, was lager. Because of its simplistic, prescriptive recipe, it used to be a dirty word in the world of craft brewing, but now that’s changed. We’re seeing some leading craft breweries adopt the Bavarian way of thinking, and put their stamp on a craft lager. This is a really interesting shift and one to watch for 2022! 

Having a speedy supply chain

One that’s probably the most talked about in 2022 – is supply chain issues. The COVID hangover is being felt across the globe and stock issues coupled with a rise in fuel prices means we’re paying more for less right now (don’t get us started on the shortage of our beloved agave). This has a knock-on effect across pretty much everything, but in bars and restaurants, it may mean that a customer’s favourite ingredient is out of stock and they’ll have to opt for an alternative drink. 

Lockdowns and border restrictions also resulted in a loss of skilled workers, in particular in the hospitality industry. Bars still need chefs to provide quality food and particularly skilled bartenders who can make signature drinks. Navigating all of these challenges is going to be tricky for every proprietor over the next twelve months and figuring out how to ‘ride the wave’ is key. Alcohol wholesalers in Sydney and Melbourne can be a good support to lean on, not only for stock but also for industry expertise and product knowledge too. 

Are you ready to get abreast of these new and emerging trends? Explore the huge drinks range at your go-to alcohol wholesalers in Sydney by visiting paramountliquor.com.au