The Hottest Cocktails of 2024: What You Need to Sip on This Year

As we sip our way through 2024, the cocktail scene is buzzing with innovation, creativity, and a strong commitment to sustainability. This year’s hottest cocktails are more than just drinks—they’re experiences that blend tradition with cutting-edge mixology, offering a delightful journey for the senses.

From winter warmers in Sydney to eco-conscious concoctions in Cambodia, these cocktails are redefining what it means to enjoy a drink. Here’s a roundup of the most exciting cocktails to try in 2024.

Winter Wonders at Sydney’s Shell House

Sydney’s Shell House has upped the ante this winter with a collection of 12 new cocktails crafted by beverage and bar director Josh Reynolds. Spanning across the multilevel Shell House precinct, these drinks capture the essence of the season with rich, aromatic flavors.

• Apricity Spritz ($24): This floral spritz, served at the Sky Bar, captures the wonderful winter aroma of fresh bergamot and red apple. The addition of Belsazar Riesling Vermouth and guava makes it an incredibly lively and refreshing choice for those cool evenings.
• Honeydew Highball($24): Also at the Sky Bar, this cocktail is a simple yet effective combination of Tanqueray gin, honeydew, tarragon, fresh lime, and soda. The stickiness of the melon marries beautifully with the zippy freshness of lime, creating a drink that’s both refreshing and flavorful.
• Feijoa Falls ($24): Available at the Clocktower Bar and Dining Room, this cocktail is a complex blend of Tanqueray Gin, feijoa, quince, guava, vermouth, and salted plum. Its tropical vibrancy and aromatic profile make it a drink that invites you to savor each sip.
• Rhubarb & Vanilla Crumble Punch ($22): A powerhouse of flavour, this punch combines Ketel One Vodka, Avallen Calvados, rhubarb, organic vanilla, and crystal clear custard. It’s a textured, velvety cocktail that reimagines the classic rhubarb and apple crumble, perfect for warming up on a chilly night.
• Hazelwood ($30): For those who love rich, decadent flavors, the Hazelwood is a must-try. This sleek cocktail features Bulliet Bourbon, Johnnie Walker Black Label, hazelnut, wattleseed, buttered pine mushroom, and Amontillado Sherry. The nuttiness and the luxurious blend of flavors make it utterly moreish.

Eco-Conscious Cocktails at Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

At Shinta Mani Wild, a luxury tented camp in Cambodia, the cocktail menu is as unique as the property itself. Reflecting the resort’s Plant Forward mission, these drinks are crafted with foraged botanical herbs and traditional medicines, embodying the resort’s commitment to sustainability and nature preservation.

• Flower: This elegant and beautiful cocktail, served in a margarita glass, is made with Butterfly Pea Gin, peach liqueur, Butterfly Pea syrup, lime juice, and egg white. Garnished with a Butterfly Pea flower, it’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.
• Leaf: Refreshing, citrusy, and thirst-quenching, the Leaf combines Seeker dry gin, pineapple juice, lime juice, Thai green syrup, and holy basil. It’s shaken to perfection and served in a rock glass with a garnish of lemon zest and basil.
• Seed: For those who prefer a smoother, warmer drink, the Seed offers a blend of Ketele vodka, Seeker Cointreau, pastis, sweet vermouth, and star anise. The result is a drink that’s both comforting and sophisticated.
• Root: This creamy, bold cocktail is perfect as a digestive. It features Nepolean VSOP, pineapple rum, sweet vermouth, and a slice of G&G spice, all smoked with ginger and galangal for a rich, layered flavor.
• Stem: The Stem is a spicy, elegant, and smoky drink, crafted with cinnamon gin, Suze, and Martini Bianco. The cinnamon stick garnish adds an extra touch of warmth, making it a delightful choice for cooler evenings.

Global Inspirations

Cocktail culture is thriving around the world, with bars and mixologists drawing inspiration from local flavors and traditions to create drinks that are truly unique.

• Puttanesca Martinez at Arlechin, Melbourne ($24): Inspired by the Italian pasta sauce, this savory twist on the classic Martinez is a testament to the creativity of Melbourne’s cocktail scene.
• Bloody Mary at Hanoi Hannah Vol II ($24): A fun take on the classic Bloody Mary, this version is garnished with a spring roll and features Archie Rose True Cut Vodka, tomato juice, sriracha, yuzu soy, and lemon. It’s the perfect cure for a hangover.
• Oyster Martini at Pipis Kiosk ($26): This seaside martini, made with Never Never Oyster Shell Gin, Constance Fino, olive brine, and orange bitters, is a briny, sophisticated drink that’s perfect for a coastal setting.
• Yuzu Margarita at Ototo, Melbourne ($23): A refreshing citrus twist on the traditional margarita, this drink pairs beautifully with sashimi, balancing the dish’s flavors with yuzushu, Prosecco, and orange bitters.
• Parmigiano Martini at Studio Amaro ($23): This rich, dirty martini uses fat-washed gin infused with cheese rind and Carpano Vermouth, bringing bold, briny notes to the forefront.
• Tzatzikitini at The Douglas Club ($24): A playful take on the Greek dip, this cocktail blends Dutch Rules Gin, dry vermouth, cucumber, dill, Greek yoghurt, lemon, and black pepper, making it a refreshing aperitif.

Award-Winning and Exotic Cocktails

Some of 2024’s best cocktails have already made a name for themselves by winning awards or capturing the essence of their cultural origins.

• Père Julio at L’Chaim, WA: Recently crowned WA’s Best Cocktail, the Père Julio is a sophisticated blend of Don Julio Anejo, mezcal, pear, lemon, and red wine. It’s a drink that honors French roots while celebrating the fresh produce of Western Australia.
• Tom Yum Cocktail at Banyan Tree Krabi, Thailand: Inspired by the famous Thai soup, this cocktail features vodka, lime juice, and lemongrass, garnished with red chili and galangal. It’s a spicy, sour delight that perfectly captures the bold flavors of Thailand.
• Conscious Cocktails at W Brisbane’s Living Room Bar: In collaboration with award-winning bartender Matt Whiley, W Brisbane has introduced a menu of eco-conscious cocktails that repurpose discarded ingredients like potato skins and pineapple rind. The RE Lamington Negroni and Space Plant 60 are standout examples of how sustainable practices can create delicious and innovative drinks.

Final thoughts…

The cocktail scene in 2024 is all about pushing boundaries—whether through sustainable practices, the use of exotic ingredients, or creative reinterpretations of classic flavours.

As you explore these drinks, you’ll not only enjoy incredible flavours but also experience the stories and philosophies that inspired them. So, raise a glass to the year’s hottest cocktails and get ready to discover something new and exciting in every sip.