bars
Bars across the world are as diverse as their patrons; Dive bars, Speakeasies, Cocktail lounges, and bars that capitalize on short-lived trends too ridiculous to name.
Instagram-Worthy Cocktails: Tips for Styling and Shooting Your Drinks
In today’s social media era, a well-styled cocktail isn’t just for drinking — it’s for sharing. Instagram has become a hub for cocktail enthusiasts, home bartenders, and professionals alike to showcase their creativity. But crafting a photogenic cocktail takes more than just mixing ingredients. With the right lighting, composition, and garnish, your drink can steal the spotlight and rack up the likes.
By Ava Mitchellabout a year ago in Proof
How Sustainability Is Influencing Cocktail Menus
The global focus on sustainability is reshaping industries everywhere — and the world of mixology is no exception. Today’s bartenders and bar owners are rethinking their approach, not just to the drinks they serve, but to how they source, mix, and dispose of ingredients. What was once a niche concern is now a growing movement: sustainable cocktails are becoming a hallmark of responsible and innovative hospitality.
By Aisha Patelabout a year ago in Proof
Minimalist Mixology: Simple Drinks, Big Flavor
In an age where excess often takes center stage, a quiet revolution is happening behind the bar — and it's all about doing more with less. Minimalist mixology is taking hold among both home bartenders and professionals, championing simplicity, balance, and bold flavor. This approach strips cocktails down to their essence, focusing on high-quality ingredients, thoughtful ratios, and clean presentation.
By Ethan Chenabout a year ago in Proof
Retro-Inspired Cocktails Making a Modern Comeback
Trends may come and go, but some flavors are simply timeless. In today’s cocktail renaissance, retro-inspired drinks are finding their way back onto modern menus — often with a creative twist. From mid-century staples to speakeasy favorites, the cocktails your grandparents sipped are now the darlings of a new generation of drinkers.
By Sofia Mertinezzabout a year ago in Proof
Mine's a pint: The Pele
Some days you could just murder a pint. And some days, you can storm a medieval fortification to get one. The Pele at Corbridge, once a mini-castle for the local vicar, is now one of Britain’s most unique micropubs. First built in 1315, the tower has centuries of history on tap; you can find stonework here dating back to Roman times, when the settlement of Corstopitum grew up near a bridge over the Tyne. It’s not hard to see how those pieces of history gave the village its name.
By Andy Pottsabout a year ago in Proof
How Gen Z Is Changing the Way We Drink Cocktails
Cocktail culture has always evolved with each generation, but few have disrupted it as rapidly and profoundly as Gen Z. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, this generation brings new values, habits, and expectations to the bar — quite literally. Their approach to drinking is reshaping everything from ingredients to aesthetics, driving bartenders and brands to rethink how cocktails are created and consumed.
By Ava Mitchellabout a year ago in Proof
Mocktails Are Evolving: Sophisticated Non-Alcoholic Options
In recent years, the mocktail scene has undergone a remarkable transformation. No longer seen as simple fruit juice mixes or mere substitutes for alcoholic drinks, mocktails have evolved into sophisticated beverages with their own distinct identity. Bartenders and home mixologists alike are crafting complex, flavorful non-alcoholic drinks that appeal to everyone — whether they choose to abstain from alcohol for health, lifestyle, or personal preference.
By Aisha Patelabout a year ago in Proof
The Rise of Botanical Cocktails in 2025
In 2025, the cocktail world is witnessing a fresh and fragrant trend — the rise of botanical cocktails. These drinks highlight the use of herbs, flowers, and other natural plant-based ingredients to create vibrant flavors and aromas that elevate the drinking experience. From the bustling cocktail bars of New York to small craft distilleries in Europe, bartenders and enthusiasts alike are embracing botanicals as a way to bring complexity, freshness, and visual appeal to their creations.
By Ethan Chenabout a year ago in Proof
Why Aperitivo Culture Is Taking Over Cocktail Hour
It’s 6 p.m. in Milan. The sun is low, the streets are buzzing, and tables across the city fill with friends sipping vibrant, bittersweet cocktails paired with small bites. This is the aperitivo hour — a tradition that has moved beyond Italy’s borders and is now taking over cocktail culture around the world.
By Sofia Mertinezzabout a year ago in Proof
Eastern European Spirits in Modern Mixology
For years, Eastern European spirits were often overshadowed by Western staples like whiskey, rum, and gin. But today, the tide is turning. Bartenders and mixologists around the world are rediscovering the depth, complexity, and cultural heritage of traditional Eastern European liquors — and they’re using them to craft bold, exciting cocktails.
By Ava Mitchellabout a year ago in Proof
Travel the World Through Your Glass: A Cocktail Journey
Cocktails are more than just mixed drinks — they’re gateways to different cultures, histories, and traditions. Each sip can transport you across continents, revealing stories and flavors unique to their place of origin. Traveling the world through your glass is a fun and immersive way to explore global cocktail culture without leaving your home.
By Aisha Patelabout a year ago in Proof
Discovering African-Inspired Flavors in Cocktails
Africa's culinary traditions are vast, vibrant, and deeply rooted in local landscapes — and they're finally making their mark in the world of mixology. From the spice markets of North Africa to the fruit-laden tropics of the West and the botanical wonders of the South, African ingredients are inspiring a new generation of cocktails that celebrate regional heritage with bold, unforgettable flavor.
By Sofia Mertinezzabout a year ago in Proof
