As restaurant beverage programs continue to evolve, the right drinkware plays a crucial role in enhancing presentation, improving guest experience, and even influencing the overall perception of taste. In 2025, we’re seeing a shift toward refined, experience-driven drinking, where the glass is just as important as the beverage itself. Here’s a look at the top drinkware trends shaping restaurant bars and dining tables this year—and how the right glassware can elevate each trend.
Elevated Cocktails Deserve Elevated Glassware
Cocktail culture has never been more refined. Guests are seeking expertly crafted drinks with complex flavors, premium spirits, and stunning presentations. High-end coupe glasses, intricately designed highballs, and unique cut-crystal rocks glasses help showcase these elevated cocktails, providing both visual appeal and an enhanced drinking experience. A carefully chosen glass can amplify aromas, ensure the right temperature retention, and add a touch of sophistication to any cocktail.
Here are our top choices: Zephyr Coupe, Sequence Coupe, Precision Collins, Broadway Rocks.
The Rise of Mocktails & Low-ABV Options
With the demand for mindful drinking increasing, restaurants are focusing more on mocktails, low-alcohol cocktails, and even low-alcohol wines. The right glassware ensures these beverages receive the same level of attention as traditional cocktails. Elegant stemware for low-alcohol wines, colored or textured glassware for sophisticated mocktails, and sleek Collins glasses for refreshing spritzers all contribute to making these options feel just as special and intentional as their full-strength counterparts.
According to IWSR, “The no/low alcohol category is forecast to grow at a volume of a compound annual growth rate of +6% between 2023 and 2027.” As the sober curious movement continues, variety and premium options in alcohol free are more important than ever.
Here are our top glassware choices: Distinction 16 Oz. Wine, Rock Line, Essentials Collins.
Floral Cocktails Bloom in the Right Glass
Floral flavors—think lavender, hibiscus, elderflower, and rose—are taking center stage in cocktail programs. Consumers are looking towards more aromatic drinks and floral notes in their cocktails.
These delicate, fragrant beverages require glassware that complements their essence. A tulip-shaped glass can concentrate floral aromas, enhancing the sensory experience. Wide-rimmed glasses, such as coupes, allow garnishes like edible flowers to rest beautifully on top, making the visual presentation just as delightful as the taste. Some beverage inspirations include Lavender Palomas and Hugo Spritz.
Here are some glassware suggestions: Cabernet 16 Oz. Wine, Broadway Vintage Cocktail, Sublym Coupe.
Hyper-Local and Sustainable Ingredients
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a movement shaping beverage menus worldwide. Bartenders are incorporating house-made syrups, foraged ingredients, and locally sourced spirits into their drinks. Crafting menus that reflect regional flavors and reduce environmental impact supports local producers and offers patrons a unique and authentic tasting experience.
To align with this trend, restaurants are also choosing glassware options that support a sustainable mindset—whether through durable glass that reduces breakage waste or versatile multipurpose glasses that minimize the need for excessive inventory. Glassware suggestions are Stack Up for durability, and Sequence as a multi-purpose glassware solution.
Wine by the Glass: A Premium Experience
As diners become more selective with their wine choices, restaurants are expanding their by-the-glass offerings, allowing guests to explore high-quality wines without committing to a full bottle. The growing demand for flexibility and personalization is driving this trend and gives restaurants the opportunity to showcase a variety of wines.
The right wine glass is essential for this experience. Tulip-shaped glasses enhance aromatic whites, large-bowled Bordeaux glasses highlight bold reds, and modern, thin-lipped stemware ensures each sip is enjoyed at its best. Investing in high-quality, varietal-specific glassware helps restaurants elevate their wine-by-the-glass programs, making every pour feel premium. Choose a glass that best fits your style and service goals here.
The Power of the Right Glass
The trends of 2025 all point to one undeniable fact: glassware is an essential part of the drinking experience. Whether it’s an elevated cocktail, a carefully crafted mocktail, a floral-infused spritz, a locally inspired beverage, or a premium glass of wine, the right glass enhances both the look and the flavor of what’s inside. Restaurants that prioritize high-quality, trend-aligned drinkware will not only impress their guests but also create memorable beverage experiences that keep them coming back for more.
As you refine your beverage program for 2025, consider how the right drinkware can set your restaurant apart.
To enhance your programs, reach out to your local Arc Cardinal tabletop consultant today.