1. Low-ABV
2. Turmeric and coconut
3. Back-to-basics
Credit: Beth McKibben
Credit: Beth McKibben
4. Brandy and Madeira
5. Martinis and frozen booze
With the renewed interest in craft gins and vermouths, the classic martini has seen an uptick in bar sales. Bartenders are breathing new life into the cocktail using floral-forward or funky vermouths from craft producers like Petal & Thorn, Uncouth and Atsby paired with gins from distillers like St. George, Sipsmith and Atlanta's Old Fourth Distillery. This isn't your granddad's dry martini. For summer, we predict F rosé will continue its dominance along with a few other frozen concoctions like the Frogroni (frozen Negroni,) Cuban-inspired frozen daiquiris and Champagne slushies.
Credit: Beth McKibben
Credit: Beth McKibben
A cocktail expert predicts
We asked former Holeman & Finch bar manager, now account manager for Diageo Reserve Spirits Kaleb Cribb t o weigh in on what he predicts will be trending in booze in 2017.
"For years, people have often classified drinks as "girly" or "manly", but with a much-welcomed emphasis on hospitality, I believe you will see less gender stereotypes attached to cocktails. Cocktails as a culture should be inclusive and inviting, not segmented and with rules. "
In other words, drink what you like and let others worry about their cocktail hang-ups.
As for spirits, Cribb wants you to give blended Scotch a chance. He predicts Irish whiskey is due for a comeback. And, Cognac, "...as soon as American whiskey drinkers realize that Cognac isn't too dissimilar, the boom happens."
Wine experts weigh in
Clarke Anderson, sommelier and assistant general manager of no. 246 in Decatur agreed with our prediction on fortified wines , "Wine in cocktails will continue to be a trend. Madeira and sherry make great savory additions to boozy whiskey drinks. I'd like to see more people enjoying vermouth as an aperitif this Summer."
Anderson expects sparkling petillant naturel (pet-nat) wines along with rosé to be big on Atlanta's patios beginning this Spring. And, he predicts canned wine and cocktails to be your go-to poolside imbibes.
Eric Crane, sommelier, and director of education for Empire Distributors agreed with Anderson, saying rosé is here to stay having become a year-round staple on wine menus.
As for Madeira, Mr. Crane gave us one more reason for Georgians to drink this fortified wine, “When the Declaration of Independence was signed, it was toasted with Madeira taken to the signing by Button Gwinnett. These wines are fantastic and are a great way to end a meal.”
Crane predicted the future of wine saying, “I think we are due for a “retro movement” in wine. I see more and more people rediscovering Chardonnay and Merlot. I also feel Australian wine will be back in a lot of people’s glasses. The wines being produced there in the $15 to $35 range are some of the best things going right now.”
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