As Australians increasingly seek to curb their consumption and ensure value in their nights out a new trend has emerged in mixology: mini cocktails.

Jackalberry venue manager Juliana Nikolovski said the bar had seen an explosion of interest in its mini cocktail menu, following the immersive bar opening at Hyatt Regency Sydney.

“The majority of the time, cocktails are two standard drinks or more, so our mini options allow customers to enjoy a delicious cocktail, but also drink in moderation,” Nikolovski said.

“Furthermore, with the rising cost of living, it’s perfect for those who want to unwind without breaking the bank. The mini cocktails we’ve introduced as part of Jackalberry’s Happy Hour are priced at just $9 each from 4pm to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

As to what is driving demand, Nikolovski said customers are increasingly making health-conscious choices, so the mini cocktails are a great way for them to swing past the bar with friends or co-workers, enjoy a few drinks and try new cocktails, without over-indulging at the same time.

Jackalberry’s cocktail menu reads like an adventurer’s journey from the vibrant streets of London to the sun-kissed beaches of Mexico, to the vibrant cityscape of Osaka and every destination in between. Its mini cocktail menu features versions of beloved cocktails, including the Mini-Margarita, Mini-Peruvian Sour, and Mini-Negroni.

“At Jackalberry, we find between the hours of 4pm to 5:30pm is when the mini cocktails are most popular, with office workers and in-house guests stopping by the bar to enjoy a drink or two, to either wind down or kick start their night.” Nikolovski said.

“For any other venues looking to jump on to the trend, we’d suggest ensuring mini cocktails are available from 4pm to 7pm to capitalise on the after work and early dinner crowd.”

Mini cocktail trend gathers pace around the globe

The cost-of-living crisis means consumers will continue to have less money in their pockets in 2024.

CGA by NIQ’s On-Premise Measurement Impact Report found spirits sales fell by 3.3% in the year to 9 September 2023 – but ultra-premium spirits grew by 3.5%.

As the Spirits Business notes: “People are drinking less but better – and one way that bars could cut prices while maintaining quality is to serve smaller cocktails.”

Among those embracing the mini cocktails trend is London bar Tayēr + Elementary, in Old Street, Shoreditch, which has been serving its One-Sip Martini for years, priced at just £4, while For The Record in San Francisco serves Cheekies – mini cocktails that are small enough to just fill your cheek, priced at US$9.

“Elsewhere you can find a ‘Snaquiri’ (that’s a snack-sized Daiquiri), and we expect to see plenty more in 2024,” The Spirits Business noted.

“A Cosmopolitiny, a Minimosa, a Micro Mule, a Short Island Iced Tea… the options (and the puns) are endless.”

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