by Laura Cuevas | Mar 23, 2025 | Cocktails, Recipe, Tiki
Here are some of the hottest cocktail trends of 2025.
Cocktail culture is always evolving, and 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for mixology. From sustainable ingredients to innovative garnishes, this year’s biggest trends bring a fresh perspective to classic drinks. And whether you’re a home bartender or a venue owner, adding the right custom cocktail accessories—like personalized stirrers—can also enhance both the presentation and the experience. Let’s explore the top cocktail trends of 2025 and how you can take them to the next level.
1. Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Cocktails
With sustainability taking center stage in food and beverage industries, cocktails are following suit. Bars are embracing zero-waste practices, local ingredients, and reusable accessories.
How to Elevate It: Use personalized cocktail stirrers to add a stylish touch to your drinks. These reusable stirrers reinforce your commitment to the environment while providing an Instagram-worthy garnish.
2. Botanical & Herbal Infusions
Floral and herbal notes are making waves in 2025, with ingredients like lavender, rosemary, basil, and chamomile elevating cocktail profiles. These infusions bring depth, complexity, and a fresh-from-the-garden feel.
How to Elevate It: Pair your herbal cocktails with a hibiscus stirrer engraved with a floral designs. Add your name or bar name to personalize. It’s a small detail that makes a big impact.
3. Low-ABV & Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
With more people embracing mindful drinking, low-ABV and spirit-free cocktails are becoming staples on menus. Expect creative combinations of fresh juices, house-made syrups, and complex bitters.
How to Elevate It: Offer guests a unique experience by branding your custom cocktail accessories with fun phrases like “Sober & Stylish” or “Mocktail Magic.” It’s a great way to make non-drinkers feel included in the cocktail experience. Browse our collections today or bring your own stirrer designs to life!
4. Vintage Revival: Mid Century Cocktails
Expect a resurgence of playful, nostalgic drinks like Manhattan’s to Mai Tai’s. These retro cocktails are getting a modern upgrade with higher-quality ingredients and refined presentations.
How to Elevate It: Bring back the fun with personalized stirrers featuring neon colors, Mid Mod-inspired designs, or even guest names for a throwback party theme.
5. Smoke & Fire Elements
From Smoked Old Fashioned’s to torched citrus garnishes, fire and smoke are adding theatrical flair to drinks. This trend enhances aroma and flavor while creating a visually striking experience.
How to Elevate It: A custom garnish pick can complement smoked cocktails beautifully. Choose designs that match the smoky aesthetic.
6. International & Cultural Inspirations
Cocktails inspired by global flavors are gaining popularity, incorporating ingredients like yuzu from Japan, tamarind from Mexico, and pandan from Southeast Asia.
How to Elevate It: Highlight these international influences with custom cocktail stirrers featuring culturally inspired motifs, symbols, or even translations of cheers in different languages.
7. Cocktail & Dessert Pairings
Why choose between a drink and dessert when you can have both? Cocktail-dessert hybrids, like Espresso Martini affogatos and boozy sorbets, are trending.
How to Elevate It: Serve these creations with custom stirrers or picks designed to match the theme of the dessert drink—think engraved spoons for affogatos or monogrammed swizzle sticks for boozy shakes.
Make Every Cocktail Stand Out with Personalized Stirrers!
Hottest cocktail trends deserve an equally stylish presentation. At Rivers and Caves, we create high-quality, personalized cocktail stirrers that enhance any drink experience. Whether for a bar, event, or home gathering, our custom cocktail accessories add the perfect finishing touch.
Explore our collections today and bring your cocktails into 2025 with style!
Shop custom stirrers at riversandcaves.com
Like this post? Read our about Spring Cocktails and Tiki Drinks That Deserve a Personalized Garnish Pick.
by Laura Cuevas | Mar 19, 2025 | Cocktails, Tiki
As the seasons shift and the first hints of warm weather arrive, it’s time to swap out those wintery drinks for something light, bright, and refreshing. Spring cocktails and tiki drinks celebrate fresh ingredients, floral notes, and vibrant colors—making them the perfect canvas for a custom cocktail pick. Whether you’re hosting a garden party, a bridal shower, or just unwinding on your patio, these spring cocktail recipes will shine even brighter with a personalized garnish pick from Rivers and Caves.
Our Favorite Spring Cocktails and Tiki Drinks
Lavender Bee’s Knees
Floral, citrusy, and perfectly balanced, the Lavender Bee’s Knees is an elegant twist on a classic gin cocktail.
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water)
1/4 oz lavender syrup
Ice
Lemon wheel and lavender sprig for garnish
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of lavender, secured with a custom cocktail pick featuring your monogram or a fun springtime phrase.
Strawberry Basil Smash
The sweet juiciness of strawberries pairs beautifully with aromatic basil for a fresh, garden-inspired cocktail.
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka or gin
3 fresh strawberries, hulled
3 basil leaves
3/4 oz simple syrup
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
Club soda
Ice
Strawberry slice and basil leaf for garnish
Instructions:
Muddle strawberries and basil in a shaker. Add spirits, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice, then shake well. Strain over fresh ice into a glass and top with club soda. Garnish with a strawberry slice and basil leaf, speared onto a custom cocktail pick with your event’s logo or a spring-themed design.
Elderflower Spritz
Light, floral, and effervescent, the Elderflower Spritz is the ultimate warm-weather refresher.
Ingredients:
2 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
3 oz Prosecco
1 oz soda water
Ice
Edible flower or lemon twist for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a wine glass with ice. Pour in elderflower liqueur, followed by Prosecco and soda water. Gently stir and garnish with an edible flower or a lemon twist on a personalized cocktail pick, perfect for a bridal shower or afternoon brunch.
Cucumber Mint Mojito
Cool, crisp, and incredibly refreshing, this mojito variation is a springtime essential.
Ingredients:
2 oz white rum
5 fresh mint leaves
3 cucumber slices
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Club soda
Ice
Cucumber ribbon and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions:
Muddle mint and cucumber in a glass with lime juice and simple syrup. Add rum and ice, then top with club soda. Stir gently and garnish with a cucumber ribbon and mint sprig, secured with a sleek, personalized garnish pick for an upscale touch.
Honeydew Gin Fizz
A smooth, slightly sweet cocktail with a creamy foam top, perfect for spring celebrations.
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
1 oz honeydew juice (blend and strain fresh honeydew melon)
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
1 egg white (optional, for froth)
Ice
Honeydew ball and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients without ice first to create foam, then add ice and shake again. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a honeydew ball and mint sprig on a custom cocktail pick, adding a polished, professional touch to your drink presentation.
The Scorpion Bowl
Light, floral, and a little too easy to sip! Fresh-squeezed orange juice adds a bright, juicy flavor, but bottled works just fine too.
Ingredients:
2 cups crushed ice
3 ounces orgeat syrup (Liber & Co. – our favorite)
8 ounces orange juice
4 ounces lime juice
8 ounces dark rum
2 ounces brandy
Instructions:
Add ice to a scorpion or punch bowl or another shallow vessel that holds at least 40 ounces of liquid. Set aside. In a large bowl or blender, combine orgeat, juices, rum, and brandy. Mix (or pulse several times) to incorporate. Pour mixture into the scorpion bowl and serve with straws.
Elevate Your Spring Cocktails with Custom Garnish Picks
Personalized cocktail picks do more than just hold garnishes—they elevate your presentation, reinforce your brand, and create memorable moments for your guests. At Rivers and Caves, we craft high-quality custom garnish picks perfect for weddings, corporate events, and home entertaining. Add your initials, event logo, or a seasonal design to make your drinks truly stand out.
Browse our collections today or bring your spring cocktails to life with a personalized touch!
Like this post? Check out our Refreshing Summer Tiki Drinks.
Enjoy!
For more visit our Shop at Rivers & Caves.
by George Cuevas | Jun 14, 2024 | Cocktails, Tiki
Summer invites you to enjoy refreshing Tiki drinks, renowned for their vibrant flavors and tropical ingredients. Whether you’re hosting a backyard luau or simply relaxing on the patio, these Tiki cocktails will transport you to an island paradise.
Tiki cocktails have a special way of bringing people together. All of a sudden everyone feels at ease and on vacation. Embrace the flavors of the tropics with these refreshing Tiki drinks this summer. With a mix of classic and flavorful cocktails, you can create an unforgettable island experience for your guests. Cheers to summer and the delightful world of Tiki cocktails!
Read more or for more custom barware to complement your Tiki drinks, visit Rivers & Caves
