Skinny jeans might still be out, but these drinks trends are in.

The year 2025 was all Jet2holidays, Stanley waterbottles, AI, Martinis, Labubus, plaid and the colour red. And while we don’t know too much about what 2026 holds, other than Cloud White being the colour of the year (we’re begging you, no more Labubus), we can hazard a few guesses about what’s going to be all the rage in the drinks world. We’ve looked into our crystal ball and all but predicted the future – these are the drinks we reckon* we’ll be seeing a lot more of in 2026.

*Please don’t come for us if they don’t come true.

1. Tequila

It feels like tequila is everyone’s favourite spirit right now – cocktails like Margs, Palomas, Batangas, Ranch Water, the classic tequila and soda, or, for the purists, tequila on the rocks. So, is it possible for everyone’s fave spirit to keep getting bigger? We think yes. We’re predicting more experimenting, which means a little less blanco and a little more reposado and añejo. Reposado translates to ‘rested’, which is ideal because reposado tequila can be aged for 60 days to a year. Keen to try a reposado? Start with examples from Altos, 1800 and Don Julio. Añejo (which translates to ‘old’) must be aged for at least one year in oak barrels that are no larger than 600 litres (fun fact: if aged for more than three years it becomes ‘extra añejo’). We love añejo from Patrón, Solento and Espolon.

Member Offer

$98 per bottle Non-Member: $127.99 each

2. Amari

We know – we can’t seem to stop banging on about how much we love amari (the plural of amaro). It’s just that we know how good it is (and how great of a gift it is) and, soon, everyone else will know it, too. Amaro is an Italian bittersweet, herbal liqueur made from all types of herbs, spices, flowers, veggies, roots and barks. There’s a very wide world of amari and each one is usually very different from the other. There’s Manfredi’s Lemon and the epic Bergamot, while Bad Spirit’s 1904 Amaro is all mint, orange, fennel and cinnamon. And you can’t go wrong with any one of the Faccia Brutto amari, but we are obsessed with their Amaro Gorino. The Sicilian-style amaro, made in the US, is a blend of gentian (a small purple flower), both sweet and bitter orange, rhubarb root and fennel seeds.

$73.99 each

The Faccia Brutto Amaro Gorino is made in the US

3. Flavoured products

Siri, play ‘What’s your flavour’ by Craig David. You guys, flavour is in. We’re talking vanilla vodka (we love Mishka), you’ll see more yuzu, like Suntory’s Haku Yuzu Vodka, fun takes on classics like Baileys Cinnamon Scroll and we just know we haven’t seen the last of the hard lemon craze. It’s not just spirits and premix that get to have all the fun, though – we’re predicting flavoured beer is going to keep coming, especially ginger beer, and let’s not forget the citrus and fresh fruit flavours – Radler Peach or Citrus, anyone?

$69.99 Each

4. Lighter reds

Red wine never goes out of fashion, but this year we’re almost certain that lighter reds will still be on heavy rotation. Pinot noir will be up there (we wouldn’t expect anything less); for an expression from Central Otago, try Amisfield, or if you’re a die-hard Aussie pinot fan then we think you’ll love the Josef Chromy or the Red Hill Estate. Now, we love a red wine you can also chill. Enter gamay and cinsault. Both are thin-skinned, red grapes that produce delicate light reds. Keen to try a gamay? There’s serious bang-for-buck in the Fringe Societe and Lingo gamay wines. And if you love a sweet, fruity red, then try a dolcetto blend – we love the dolcetto and syrah from Brown Brothers.

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$30 per bottle Non-Member: $37.99 each

The Poco Vino Rosé comes in a 187mL bottle

5. Portability and moderation

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again, convenience is king, so bagnums (AKA bagged wines, and, no, we’re not talking about goon sacks) are going to be back in a big way. Who doesn’t love rocking up to the park with enough wine for everyone (1.5L to be exact)? And best of all, unlike an open bottle of wine that goes bad, there’s no waste because a bagnum lasts for around four weeks. You know what else is hot? Moderation and minimal waste – expect to see more mindful pours like Poco Vino. The ‘little wine’ is 187mL of vino, which means no excess being poured down the sink, and you can totally drink what you like – you can have chardonnay and your mate can have rosé. Half bottles are also expected to mark their mark – you can now get a 375mL of the Cat Amongst the Pigeons Riesling and the Sit Stay Society Toby's Shiraz Tempranillo.

Member Offer

$12 for 2 bottlesNon-Member: $6.70 each

6. Japanese lager

Light as a feather and easy drinking, the fan base for Japanese lager just keeps growing – and it’s closing in on Mexican lagers (which we love and adore). Japanese lager is made by adding rice to a base of barley malt, which brings that signature dry finish to the beer. We love examples like Asahi Super Dry, Sapporo Premium Lager and the entire Monsuta range, as well as local takes such as the 4 Pines Japanese Lager and Bricklane Zero Carb version.

$59.95 case (24)