A Bacardi report highlighted an increasing shift in preference among Indian consumers towards cocktails, with the rise of technology reshaping the way consumers explore cocktails. Nine in ten (92 per cent) Indians showed interest in AI-driven recommendations for tailored drink options.

According to the sixth annual Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, over half of the respondents, at 54 per cent, said they were eager to celebrate with family and friends over cocktails. The rise of cocktails is also evident in the preference for them over beer, with 32 per cent of respondents drinking more cocktails. The report also highlighted a notable shift in preferences, with over half of Indian consumers, (55) favouring cocktails over champagne (41 per cent) to celebrate special occasions.

However, three-quarters expressed concerns about AI lacking the “emotional and artistic flair” human bartenders bring to their craft. 44 per cent of Indian respondents still rely on bartender recommendations to discover new cocktails.

Commenting on India’s top five cocktails for 2025, Jonas Ax, Advocacy Lead, Bacardi India, said: “Indian consumers are embracing bold, vibrant flavours like never before, with fruity (66 per cent), sweet (53 per cent), and spicy (50 per cent) cocktails leading the way for the next 12 months. It’s the perfect time to recommend cocktails like the PATRÓN Picante, especially as tequila continues to steal the spotlight. Even timeless classics are seeing a revival, with vodka soda rising to the top and vodka lemonade making a strong climb from last year.”

Top bar calls

The top five bar calls in India for 2025 are vodka soda, whiskey and coke, vodka lemonade, rum and coke, and mojitos, the report noted. It also observed the blurring line between food and drink as mixologists experiment with kitchen staples like milk, oil, and brine to create a new wave of gastro-inspired drinking experiences.

Nearly three-quarters (70 per cent) of bartenders draw inspiration from the culinary arts when creating cocktails, according to the Bacardi Global Brand Ambassador Survey. This trend aligns with consumer interest in savoury and herbaceous flavours, which grew by 20 per cent and 15 per cent respectively in 2024. Women are also leading a shift towards more natural options, with four in 10 drinking cocktails made with natural ingredients in India.

The report also established that nine in ten Indian consumers are willing to pay a premium for traditionally aged spirits. Additionally, 77 per cent of respondents choose additive-free spirits, reflecting a growing preference for purity in their drink choices.

Premiumisation

“Ushering in the new year with a new era in India’s promising cocktail culture, the report spotlights significant shifts amongst Indian consumers, where trends like premiumisation and AI-based personalisation are reshaping modern celebrations. We are proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, with insights that inspire creativity, enhance experiences, and empower India’s vibrant community of bar owners and bartenders in crafting moments that matter for our consumers,” says Vinay Golikeri, Managing Director, Bacardi India & Southeast Asia.