Which Cocktails Are Popular on Social Media Right Now?

Social media doesn’t just tell us what songs to stream or what sneakers to buy—it now dictates what we drink. Scroll through TikTok, Instagram Reels, or even Twitter (sorry, X), and your feed is bound to be flooded with colorful spritzes, frothy espresso martinis, or some bizarre new concoction that makes you wonder if bartenders are trolling us. In 2025, cocktails are no longer just beverages; they’re digital performances. A drink’s success is measured as much in likes and shares as it is in sales at the bar.

So, which cocktails are taking over our screens (and our taste buds) right now? From pickle-brined martinis to sparkling spritz variations, let’s dive into the drinks everyone’s posting, ordering, and remixing.

1. Honey Deuce – The Sporty Superstar

Every year during the U.S. Open, one drink takes center stage: the Honey Deuce. A simple mix of vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and honeydew melon balls, it’s become the unofficial mascot of tennis season. The melon balls, cut to resemble tennis balls, make it irresistibly photogenic—half drink, half prop for courtside selfies.

Created in 2006, this cocktail has grown into a phenomenon, selling over half a million glasses during the tournament. The celebrity effect pushes it further; stars like Taylor Swift have been spotted with it, guaranteeing the drink goes viral beyond the stadium.

Why it works on social media: It’s seasonal, thematic, easy to replicate at home, and looks like summer in a cup. Post it with a tennis emoji, and your engagement rate spikes.

2. The Spaghett – Recession Chic

In a year where wallets feel lighter, the Spaghett has emerged as a symbol of frugality-meets-fun. It’s literally just Miller High Life with a splash of Aperol and a squeeze of lemon, dubbed the “champagne of beers turned spritz.”

TikTok loves it because it’s low-budget and ironic, but it also tastes surprisingly refreshing—bitter citrus cutting through the malty beer. What began as a dive bar gag is now an economic mood ring: if the Spaghett is trending, it’s probably because people are skipping $18 cocktails for DIY hacks.

Why it works on social media: It’s quick, quirky, and very “dupe culture”—the beer world’s answer to the budget Negroni.

3. Pickle-Powered Drinks – Welcome to Picklemania

Pickle juice in cocktails isn’t new—picklebacks have been around forever—but 2025 has turned brine into an aesthetic. New York bars are selling upscale pickle martinis, spritzes, and even frozen “Pickle Painkillers.” They’re tangy, salty, and a little absurd—exactly the kind of oddball content that thrives on TikTok.

There’s also a health halo here. With gut health and fermented foods trending, pickle brine gets marketed as “probiotic chic.” Whether or not it’s actually good for you, it’s good for your engagement.

Why it works on social media: The green hue pops on camera, it leans into quirky foodie culture, and the shock factor makes it endlessly shareable.

4. Hugo Spritz and the Spritz Renaissance

Move over Aperol—there’s a new spritz in town. The Hugo Spritz, made with elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, soda water, and mint, has become a gentler, floral-forward alternative to its orange cousin. It’s light, aromatic, and perfect for golden-hour posts.

But the spritz trend doesn’t stop there. Social feeds are overflowing with riffs: coffee spritzes, dirty martini spritzes, pineapple-Lambrusco spritzes, and spiced pear spritzes. If it sparkles and looks good in a wine glass, it qualifies.

Why it works on social media: Spritzes are low-ABV, sessionable, and versatile—ideal for the health-conscious yet vibe-focused Gen Z crowd.

5. Espresso Martini – Still Buzzing

The Espresso Martini refuses to leave center stage. Equal parts caffeinated and glamorous, it’s the drink that bridges brunch and nightlife. On TikTok, you’ll find endless variations—vanilla-infused, caramel-salted, or even topped with edible glitter.

Pairing alcohol with coffee means it appeals to two massive communities at once: coffee obsessives and cocktail lovers. It’s the ultimate “let’s keep the night going” drink, and its creamy foam head makes it endlessly photogenic.

Why it works on social media: It’s familiar, indulgent, and endlessly customizable—ideal for both foodie reels and #SundayScaries memes.

6. Margarita – The Evergreen Favorite

Trends come and go, but the Margarita remains undefeated. Whether it’s frozen, spicy, mezcal-based, or rimmed with tajín, the Marg is still the life of every feed. Social media has amplified the “flavored Margarita” wave—mango, watermelon, passionfruit, even jalapeño-cucumber hybrids.

Why it works on social media: It’s iconic, endlessly adaptable, and guaranteed to rack up likes, whether you’re poolside or in a neon-lit bar.

Also Read: Trendy Cocktail Ingredients: What’s Hot in 2025

7. Drinks Made for the Camera – Layered, Color-Changing, and Floral

Cocktails don’t just need to taste good anymore; they need to perform for the camera. Think butterfly pea flower tea that changes from blue to purple when citrus hits it, rainbow-layered shots, or gin fizzes topped with edible flowers.

These cocktails are theater in a glass. They’re shared not because of their flavor profile but because they make for hypnotic reels. The artistry is the hook; the taste is a bonus.

Why it works on social media: TikTok thrives on transformation, and a cocktail that changes color or sparkles under UV light is pure algorithm bait.

8. Agave Spirits & Spicy-Savory Profiles

Tequila has had its moment, and now its cousins are stepping in: mezcal, raicilla, and sotol. These smoky, earthy agave spirits have become the choice for adventurous palates. Pair them with charred pineapple, tamarind, or chili oil, and you’ve got the perfect viral recipe.

Meanwhile, savory cocktails are also trending. Expect to see miso martinis, mushroom Manhattans, and even anchovy-infused Negronis. They’re bold, they’re divisive, and they thrive on comment-section arguments.

Why it works on social media: Bold flavors spark strong reactions, and nothing drives engagement like a “you either love it or hate it” drink.

9. Low-ABV and Zero-Proof – Sober-Curious Chic

Wellness culture isn’t slowing down, and neither is the rise of low-ABV and zero-proof cocktails. Drinks made with non-alcoholic bitters, kombucha, or botanical infusions are showing up everywhere, often styled to look indistinguishable from their boozy counterparts.

Mocktail hashtags like #SoberTok and #MindfulDrinking are booming, showing that you don’t need alcohol for a social buzz.

Why it works on social media: It taps into lifestyle shifts while still offering the aesthetic—glassware, garnishes, and mood—that people crave.

10. Hyper-Local and Sustainable Mixology

Another social-driven movement is eco-friendly cocktails. From house-made syrups crafted from food scraps to garnishes grown in rooftop gardens, sustainability is now part of the drink’s story.

Local pride also plays a role. Bars are showcasing “farm-to-glass” cocktails featuring regional botanicals—think a lavender gin fizz in Provence or a kokum spritz in Goa.

Why it works on social media: Storytelling. A drink with an eco-angle or local origin makes for a stronger caption and deeper connection.

11. Viral Oddities – From Gatorwine to Cortisol Cocktails

And then there are the oddballs—the drinks that go viral precisely because they’re absurd. Case in point: Gatorwine, a mash-up of Gatorade and red wine that TikTok memed into popularity. Or the Cortisol Cocktail, a supposedly stress-reducing mocktail made with powdered supplements and juice.

These aren’t about taste; they’re about spectacle and curiosity. You might not make them twice, but you’ll definitely post them once.

Why it works on social media: Shock value, relatability, and meme potential.

How to Style Your Cocktails for Social Media

You don’t need a professional setup to make your cocktails go viral. A few tricks can elevate your drink shots instantly:

• Lighting is everything: Natural light near a window beats filters every time.
  
  
• Glassware matters: Clear, tall glasses make layers and colors shine.
  
  
• Garnishes are accessories: Citrus wheels, fresh herbs, or edible flowers turn a plain drink into a showstopper.
  
  
• Angles count: Overhead for symmetry, 45-degree for depth, slow-mo pour for drama.
  
  
• Hashtags seal the deal: #Drinkstagram, #CocktailHour, #SipSipHooray, or even trend-specific tags like #HoneyDeuce.
  

Final Sip

In 2025, cocktails aren’t just mixed—they’re curated for the algorithm. From the sporty charm of the Honey Deuce to the chaos of Gatorwine, the drinks trending online reflect bigger cultural shifts: frugality, wellness, sustainability, and the ever-present need for a good photo.

Whether you’re a bartender chasing virality or a home mixologist looking to impress your followers, the message is clear: if your cocktail looks good on camera, it’s halfway to fame.

So, what will you post next—a floral Hugo Spritz, a neon-green pickle martini, or maybe just a cheeky Spaghett? The feed is waiting.

Also Read: VSOP Brandy: Meaning, History, and Why It Matters