Are Canapé Cocktails The New Shots?

The hottest way to serve a drink this Christmas? In a teeny tiny version, apparently. According to a recent survey from Paragon Brands, almost half of Brits are sold on the mini alcoholic drinks trend – which is proving particularly popular among Gen Zs. Baby Guinness has been all the rage for a while, but now bartenders and regular drinkers are experimenting with miniature takes on cocktails – a chic addition to any festive party. Keen to whizz up some of your own? Here Bacardi shares four canapé cocktails to serve this December.

Canapé Cocktails Are 2024’s Hottest Drinks Trend

If you like the idea of a shot, but the thought of sambuca or tequila makes you gag, baby cocktails could be a gamechanger. And if Paragon’s research is anything to go by, the aesthetics are admittedly a big part of the draw, particularly among millennials, with 28 percent of those surveyed aged 35 to 44 saying they’d buy a miniature cocktail for the Instagram potential alone. 

‘The beauty of canapé cocktails lies in their ability to seamlessly blend attention to detail, elegance and festivity,’ says Karine Cullimore, London Trade Specialist at Bacardi. ‘The small size and intricate presentation of mini cocktails show the thought and effort you’ve put into your hosting. Elegant glasses, creative garnishes, and precise portions all add to the sophistication. As a result, each cocktail tells a story and enhances the overall experience, leaving your guests with the feeling that they’re part of something truly special.’

4 Baby Cocktail Recipes

Each recipe should be split across four smaller glasses.  

Espresso Min-Tini

Ingredients:

• 50ml Grey Goose Vodka  
• 30ml single origin espresso  
• 20ml premium coffee liqueur  
• Pinch of salt (to taste)  
• 3 coffee beans (or to taste) 

Method:

1. Add Grey Goose Vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and salt to a shaker.  
2. Shake briskly and strain into a martini cocktail glass.  
3. Garnish with coffee beans. 

Manhattini

Ingredients:

• 60ml Angel’s Envy Port Finished Bourbon   
• 30ml Americano Style Blanc Vermouth   

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass.
2. Stir over ice to chill and dilute.  
3. Strain into a Nick & Nora or small coupe glass.   
4. Garnish with a lemon peel.   
5. Optional guided finishes: lemon peel, then citrus salt atomized, then 4-5 drops of extra virgin olive oil.

Pico Calada

Ingredients:

• 50ml Bacardi Carta Blanca rum  
• 35ml fresh coconut water  
• 25ml fresh pineapple juice  
• 3-4 chunks of fresh pineapple (adjust based on taste)  
• 2 tsp caster sugar (adjust to taste)  
• Pineapple wedge as garnish 

Method:

1. Add pineapple chunks and sugar to a shaker and gently crush.  
2. Pour in the Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum, pineapple juice and coconut water. Stir with a bar spoon.  
3. Shake vigorously.  
4. Serve with crushed ice and pineapples wedge garnish. 

Bramblino

Ingredients:

• 50ml Bombay Sapphire Gin  
• 25ml fresh lemon juice  
• 13ml sugar syrup  
• 1 lemon wedge  
• Blackberries to garnish 

Method:

1. Build ingredients into a rocks glass.
2. Stir to mix then fill the glass with cubed ice and stir again to slightly dilute the drink.   
3. Garnish with a fresh lemon wedge and blackberry.

Cocktails created by Bacardi