Liquor Trends that will Dominate Summer 2025
In this Article
As the warm season approaches, drink menus and shelf placements are getting a refresh. Consumers across the U.S. are seeking exciting flavors, premium experiences, and lower-proof options that fit their lifestyle. This report outlines the top liquor trends for Summer 2025, offering insight for bar managers, mixologists, and liquor store buyers alike.
Every liquor on this list is driving consumer interest and retail sales through a mix of trend alignment, flavor innovation, and cocktail versatility. Seasonal demand is being shaped by a few key forces: wellness-conscious drinkers, global flavor exploration, and convenience-led purchases. Spirits featured here are not only being poured in top bars—they’re being picked up from retail shelves at a quickening pace.
ALSO READ: 10 Changes in the Spirits industry
For liquor store owners, stocking these spirits in the right formats and price tiers may help increase summer revenue. For hospitality buyers and bar managers, these spirits can add excitement to menus with both classic and experimental cocktails. Each section includes volume trends, pricing insights, and two top-performing cocktails with step-by-step mixology instructions.
Use this as a practical reference to plan your summer orders, update your cocktail lists, or educate your staff on what’s driving consumer decisions.
1. Tequila & Agave Spirits
Why It’s Trending: Tequila and mezcal continue to lead agave growth, driven by demand for earthy, complex flavors. Leading the top liquor trends of 2025.
Volume & Price: Tequila rose 5.1% in 2024; premium bottles ($40–$60); ultra-premium ($90+) moving fastest.
Top Cocktails:
Margarita
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz lime juice
- ¾ oz Cointreau
- ½ oz agave syrup
- Shake with ice; strain into salted-rim glass; garnish with lime wheel.
Naked & Famous
- ¾ oz mezcal
- ¾ oz Aperol
- ¾ oz yellow Chartreuse
- ¾ oz lime juice
- Shake with ice; strain into a chilled coupe.
2. Bourbon & Amaro
Why It’s Trending: Classic whiskey cocktails with bitter notes have resurged, appealing to a more mature palate.
Volume & Price: Bourbon volume rose 4.3% in 2024; craft bourbons ($30–$50); Amaro Nonino retails around $38.
Top Cocktails:
Paper Plane
- ¾ oz bourbon
- ¾ oz Amaro Nonino
- ¾ oz Aperol
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- Shake vigorously; strain into coupe; garnish with lemon twist.
Boulevardier
- 1 oz bourbon
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Stir with ice; strain into rocks glass; garnish with orange peel.
3. Vodka-Based RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
Why It’s Trending: Convenience and quality have converged in vodka RTDs. Brands like High Noon dominate summer shelves.
Volume & Price: RTDs grew 20% in 2024; 4-packs retail around $10–$13; individual cans ~$2.50–$3.25.
Top Cocktails (RTD-Inspired):
Vodka Iced Tea
- Use 1 can vodka-based iced tea
- Serve over ice in a tall glass
- Garnish with lemon slice
Lemonade Vodka Spritz
- 1 can vodka lemonade
- Splash of soda water
- Garnish with fresh mint and lemon
4. Gin & Spritz Variants
Why It’s Trending: Botanical gins and bubbly spritzes appeal to wellness-focused drinkers and brunch culture.
Volume & Price: Up 3% in sales; premium gins ($30–$45); elderflower liqueur (~$25).
Top Cocktails:
Hugo Spritz
- 1.5 oz elderflower liqueur
- 3 oz Prosecco
- Top with soda water
- Build in a wine glass with ice; garnish with mint and lime
Spa Spritz
- 1 oz botanical gin
- 0.5 oz St-Germain
- 2 oz soda water
- Cucumber slices and mint garnish
5. Mezcal
Why It’s Trending: Mezcal rides the tequila trend but adds smoky depth and exclusivity. The entire category has been hot and leads the top liquor trends for summer 2025.
Volume & Price: Mezcal imports rose 48%; retail from $45–$70 for artisanal bottlings.
Top Cocktails:
Prickly Pear Mezcal Margarita
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1 oz prickly pear syrup
- 1 oz lime juice
- ½ oz triple sec
- Shake with ice; strain into rocks glass with salt rim
Smoky Paloma
- 2 oz mezcal
- ½ oz lime juice
- Top with grapefruit soda
- Build in a tall glass; garnish with grapefruit slice
6. Vodka Fusion (Flavored or Vanilla Vodka)
Why It’s Trending: Fusion cocktails—like spicy and dessert flavors—are delighting summer party guests and brunch crowds. This is one of the hottest liquor trends for summer 2025.
Volume & Price: Flavored vodka grew 7%; bottles range $18–$30; vanilla variants particularly strong.
Top Cocktails:
Creamsicle Cocktail
- 2 oz vanilla vodka
- 1 oz orange liqueur
- 1 oz orange juice
- 0.5 oz cream
- Shake and strain into martini glass
Spicy Fifty
- 2 oz vanilla vodka
- 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 1 thin chili slice
- Shake; strain into coupe; garnish with red chili
7. Cachaça
Why It’s part of the Top Liquor Trends for Summer 2025: Brazil’s national spirit is gaining fans through the globally trending Caipirinha.
Volume & Price: Imports up 9%; bottles range $20–$35.
Top Cocktails:
Caipirinha
- 2 oz cachaça
- ½ lime (quartered)
- 2 tsp sugar
- Muddle lime and sugar; add cachaça and ice; stir
Passion Fruit Caipirinha
- 2 oz cachaça
- 1 oz passion fruit puree
- ½ lime and 1 tsp sugar
- Muddle, shake with ice, strain over crushed ice
8. Low & Non-Alcoholic Spirits
Why It’s in the Top Liquor Trends for Summer 2025: Wellness and moderation are pushing growth in no-proof and low-ABV options.
Volume & Price: Category up 31%; non-alc spirits $25–$35; RTDs $2–$4 each.
Top Cocktails:
Zero-Proof Spritz
- 2 oz non-alcoholic aperitif
- 2 oz soda water
- Orange slice garnish
Seedlip & Tonic
- 2 oz Seedlip Spice
- 4 oz tonic
- Build over ice; garnish with grapefruit twist
9. Amaro
Why It’s Trending: The Paper Plane cocktail has revived interest in Italian bitters, especially Nonino.
Volume & Price: Amaro sales up 12%; bottles priced from $25–$50.
(See Bourbon section for cocktail recipes.)
10. Fruit Cup Liqueurs (e.g., Pimm’s)
Why It’s in the Top Liquor Trends for Summer 2025: Refreshing and easy to batch; ideal for garden parties and patio service.
Volume & Price: Sales rising seasonally; bottles ~$20–$25.
Top Cocktails:
Pimm’s Cup
- 2 oz Pimm’s No. 1
- Top with lemonade
- Add cucumber, mint, orange, and strawberry slices
Pimm’s Mojito
- 2 oz Pimm’s
- Mint, lime, sugar muddled
- Add soda water and ice
Final Thoughts for Buyers and Bartenders or Top Liquor Trends for Summer 2025
This list of Top Trending Liquors for Summer 2025 offers actionable insights for anyone managing shelves or menus. Flavors that are light, bold, or nostalgic are resonating with a wide variety of customers. Spirits that support both premium sipping and easy batching are especially valuable. By following these trends, liquor store owners and bar professionals can enhance both customer satisfaction and profitability this summer.
