After tackling upcoming drinks trends in the previous episode, David Kermode switches his focus to the bar trends of 2025. He is joined by Emma Hutchison, who brings her expertise in design and drinks to help forecast the future.
The pair talk about the changes we’ve already seen in bars in recent decades, musing on the revival of cocktail culture in the ’90s before moving on to how bars have developed in the last few years and the role social media plays. Hutchison also shares her insights as the co-owner of Nine Lives bar in London.
Kermode and Hutchison’s predictions for 2025 include the rise of pickle-based drinks, a greater focus on Asian wines and spirits, and the combination of luxury drinks with street food. While Hutchison agrees with Kermode that the gin boom is over, she does predict that drinkers will continue to return to classic gin-based cocktails like the Martini in even greater numbers.
One of the final talking points is on the topic of no and low, with Kermode and Hutchison discussing the trend of ‘zebra striping’ amongst drinkers looking to reduce their alcohol intake on nights out.
Discover more episodes of The Drinking Hour with David Kermode here.
