At-home cocktail making on the rise

At-home cocktail making is on the rise with nearly half of the Brits experimenting with drinks during the lockdown, finds a new survey conducted ahead of World Cocktail Day on 13 May.

As many as 43 percent of respondents of the survey, commissioned by Bacardi, said they have attempted to perfect cocktails at home since lockdown began, with 7.30pm emerging as the time people are most likely to raise a glass with loved ones.

Almost a third (31%) of participants said they have enjoyed virtual drinks parties with friends and one in five (21%) have even dressed up for the occasion.

And the trend might be here to stay, with over a quarter of those surveyed (27%) claiming they will continue hosting virtual cocktail hours with friends and family beyond lockdown.

“It’s great to see Brits embracing the ‘cocktail hour’ once more, getting dressed up and enjoying their favourite serves over apps such as Zoom, as the virtual cocktail hour becomes our new normal,” commented Joe McCanta, global head of education and mixology at Bacardi.

According to the survey, the Mojito (made with rum, sugar and zesty lime) is the most popular make-at-home cocktail. The classic Pina Colada, made with coconut cream, rum and pineapple came second, with the Californian-born Margarita coming in third place.

Vodka is the spirit of choice for 35 percent of those surveyed when making cocktails at home, closely followed by gin (33%) and rum (23%).

Another interesting insight from the report is the rising preference for low/no alcohol. Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents have shared a virtual toast over a non-alcoholic or low alcohol cocktail according to the report, with Virgin Pina Coladas, Virgin Mojitos and Virgin Marys topping the poll of favourite non-alcoholic cocktails.

Millennials prove the most mindful drinkers as data shows 41 percenrt of 25 – 34 year-olds surveyed have raised a low or non-alcoholic cocktail during virtual drinks.

Bacardi will hold a virtual mixology masterclass live on Instagram on 13 may to celebrate World Cocktail Day. Hosted in collaboration with cocktail bar Grind, the free class will provide tips and tricks for perfecting a range of the nation’s favourite lockdown cocktails, using GREY GOOSE vodka, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin, MARTINI vermouth and BACARDI Rum.

Top 20 Lockdown Cocktails