Every year, the list of the most popular bartenders around the world is revealed. Behind the seemingly stable top ten, there are actually some unexpected rises and falls, as well as changes in the direction of the industry.
The list pattern is stable but changing
This year's survey of the world's top bars shows that the ranking of the most popular classic bartending shows an overall stable trend, with most seats in the top ten seeing less obvious changes. This phenomenon is enough to reflect that classics cocktails have passed the test of time and have reliable advantages in terms of taste and formula. They have a solid fan base in various parts of the world to support their existence. However, the changes in individual positions indicate that a new development trend is secretly planning to challenge the dominance of some well-known classic styles.
For example, there is a bartender that has been firmly occupying the ninth place. This year it fell to the sixteenth place, and its original position was replaced by a new up-and-coming one. Although such a change is not particularly drastic, it can completely show that the consumption choices in bars will not always remain the same and will not change. Customers' tastes flow in subtle, imperceptible ways within the classic framework, and this also affects the bar's stocking and recommendation strategies.
Old firmly holds the title of champion
The old model has once again won the championship in a row. This time it has become the best-selling classic bartender in bars around the world for the second consecutive year. The data shows that among nearly half or 46% of the bars surveyed, its sales volume ranks among the top two. Such a dominant performance proves that its balance of taste and wide acceptance are almost unmatched by others.
Compared with others, the former strong rival Old shows a certain gap, ranking first in sales volume in only 15% of the bars. Old's consistent leadership is not an accident. Its recipe is simple but classic. The basis of whiskey is combined with the taste brought by sugar and bitters. It is able to maintain stable product quality in bars in various regions. This is the key to its success.
The rise of new classics is strong
One of the biggest highlights this year is that "Penicillin" broke into the top ten for the first time, ranking tenth. This "contemporary classic" born in the early 21st century combines ginger juice, honey and whiskey, which means that newer cocktail creations are moving from niche preferences to popular bars. Its inclusion is a clear signal.
"Coffee Martini" also represents a new trend, and its performance is even more outstanding, jumping from seventh place last year to fourth place. This cocktail is particularly popular in Europe, especially in the UK, and is even drunk during afternoon tea. It ranks among the top three in sales in 16% of bars, showing the strong market appeal of the combination of coffee flavor and spirits.
Classic martini unexpectedly in decline
What is somewhat surprising is that the "Martini", which is a symbol of bartending culture, fell from the third position last year to sixth place. Although its sales volume is still among the top five in 25% of bars, its ranking has dropped significantly. This may be related to the trend of contemporary drinkers pursuing richer and easier-to-drink flavors.
There are various changes in the way Martini is made, starting from the 3:1 ratio of gin to vermouth, to various variations. Moreover, its strong personality and high alcohol content may make some new enthusiasts hesitate to face it because of fear. The changes it has made in rankings may just reflect the re-examination of the classic definition in the specific context of contemporary bars.
Undercurrents surging in the middle echelon
Somewhere in the middle of the list, some of the bartending ranking changes are quite interesting. For example, “Sour” rose from tenth to seventh place, ranking in the top ten sales in 41% of bars. This kind of cocktail with a sweet and sour taste may not be the first choice of many people, but its refreshing characteristics remind people from time to time that the market foundation is extremely solid.
There is also a classic bartending called "Negroni", whose ranking dropped from sixth place last year to ninth place. It is in 28% of bars, and its sales volume is in the top ten. Some people began to wonder, has the popularity of this "red charm" composed of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth decreased to a certain extent? However, its solid fan base cannot be underestimated.
The dark horse in the second half attracts attention
In the range from 11th to 20th place, the biggest dark horse is "Last Word", which soared 26 places from the 43rd place last year to the 17th place. The soaring popularity of this bittersweet concoction, which consists of gin, Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice, has directly led to a shortage of its key ingredient, Chartreuse.
This phenomenal rise shows that senior drink enthusiasts and bartenders’ admiration for cocktails with complex flavors has begun to have an impact on the broader market. The story behind it also serves as a reminder to us that the popularity of a bartender can not only drive the development of its own related aspects, but can even have an impact on the entire raw material supply chain, thus having a far-reaching impact.
After looking at this year's list, which cocktail do you love the most or are you most eager to try? Which bartenders do you think are underrated, or which changes in rankings surprised you the most? You are welcome to express your opinions in the comment area, but don’t forget to like this article and repost it.
