Bermuda’s Bacardi Ltd is predicting a sea change in global drinking culture next year and, according to its new 2026 Cocktail Trends Report, the future looks bright, early and a little bit theatrical.

The spirits giant, which partners each year with trend forecasters at The Future Laboratory, said people were shifting away from late-night excess and leaning into “meaningful moments” built around flavour, story and connection.

“Gen Z isn’t drinking less, they’re simply drinking earlier, lighter and with more intention,” said Sean Kerry, Bacardi’s vice-president for global on-trade.

“We’re seeing a move toward more meaningful drinking moments, whether that means in-person get-togethers with friends, discovering flavours rooted in local culture or embracing new forms of creative expression through cocktails.”

If 2025 was about quiet luxury, 2026 is shaping up to be its maximalist cousin, with metallic garnishes, fire presentations and high-drama glassware back in force.

Below are the five trends Bacardi said would define next year’s cocktail scene:

1, The rise of the “daycap”

Happy hour is moving up the clock. Instead of cocktails at 10pm, people are gravitating to late-afternoon “daycaps” to unwind after work. Bacardi points to a cultural reset around routines, with consumers, especially younger ones, opting for earlier evenings, smaller serves and spritz-style drinks.

2, Unplugging to reconnect

With 84 per cent of consumers saying technology has made socialising feel less personal, bars are creating screen-free, analogue experiences, with Martini flights, communal serves and conversation-driven rituals. The goal is more presence, less performance.

3, Mixology meets micro-farming

Terroir, but for cocktails. Bacardi said bars were acting as “laboratories of local flavour”, spotlighting micro-farms, island botanicals and region-specific ingredients. Three-quarters of global consumers now check ingredient origin labels.

For Bermuda, where rum, citrus, honey and local herbs already feature heavily in bartending culture, the company said the trend could bring even more attention to island-grown flavours.

4, Cocktails as lifestyle brands

Drinks are becoming immersive worlds, complete with playlists, pop-ups, curated scents and strong visual identities.

“Consumers are moving from curating experiences to cultivating connections,” said Martin Raymond of The Future Laboratory. “In 2026, value will be defined not by scarcity or status, but by depth.”

5, Maximalism returns

Edible pearls, smoke, gold and stacked garnishes are just some of the big, bold theatrical presentations that will return in 2026, especially in destinations known for nightlife and spectacle. Bacardi said 76 per cent of survey respondents now sought “heightened, memorable experiences” when they went out.

And the top cocktails for 2026?

The classics still reign. Margaritas top the list, followed by mojitos, piña coladas and crowd-pleasers such as rum and coke. The dry Martini rounds out the top ten.