Sustainability in Mixology: The Rise of Eco-Friendly Cocktails
In recent years, sustainability has taken center stage in various industries, and the world of mixology is no exception. The trend of eco-friendly cocktails is gaining popularity as bartenders, bar owners, and consumers seek to reduce their environmental impact while enjoying creative and flavorful drinks. Here’s a closer look at how sustainability is transforming the cocktail world, with innovative approaches and practices that emphasize environmental responsibility.
Why Sustainability Matters in Mixology
Bars and cocktail lounges are known for their vibrant atmospheres, but they also produce a significant amount of waste, from single-use plastics to food scraps. With increased awareness around climate change and resource conservation, many in the industry are adopting sustainable practices to reduce waste, lower their carbon footprint, and appeal to eco-conscious patrons.
Key Sustainable Practices in Cocktail Creation
Locally Sourced Ingredients Sourcing ingredients locally helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation. By using fruits, herbs, and other ingredients from local farms or markets, bartenders create fresh, seasonal cocktails while supporting regional agriculture. This also means menus are often rotated with seasonal produce, encouraging variety and creativity in drink offerings.
Repurposing Ingredients An essential part of sustainable cocktail-making is reducing food waste. Bartenders are now finding creative ways to repurpose ingredients that might otherwise be discarded. For instance:
Citrus Peels: Instead of throwing away lemon or lime peels, they can be dried and used as garnishes or infused to add flavor.
Leftover Pulp: Juice pulp can be incorporated into syrups or used in garnishes, reducing waste and adding texture and flavor to cocktails.
Spent Coffee Grounds: Bars have found ways to infuse cocktails with coffee flavors by repurposing used coffee grounds.
Zero-Waste Garnishes and Glassware From edible garnishes to reusable or biodegradable straws, bars are increasingly focused on eliminating single-use items. Many bars now serve drinks in reusable glassware and avoid plastic straws, opting instead for metal, paper, or bamboo alternatives. Zero-waste garnishes, such as dehydrated citrus wheels or edible flowers, provide an aesthetic touch without the waste.
Sustainable Spirits Distilleries around the world are adopting sustainable practices to produce eco-friendly spirits. This includes using renewable energy sources, reducing water usage, and sourcing organic ingredients. For example, some vodka and gin brands use carbon-neutral production methods, while others commit to planting trees or protecting wildlife to offset their environmental impact. By choosing spirits from sustainable distilleries, bartenders help make a difference with each cocktail served.
Efficient Energy and Water Use Bar operations can be resource-intensive, especially with ice production and refrigeration. Some bars are now experimenting with ice alternatives, like reusable ice molds, or using insulated coolers to reduce energy consumption. Additionally, water waste is minimized by collecting melting ice for dishwashing or other uses, demonstrating a commitment to resource conservation.
The Benefits of Sustainable Mixology
Eco-friendly practices in cocktail-making go beyond environmental impact—they also create unique experiences for patrons. Sustainable cocktails offer a conversation starter and an opportunity for guests to learn about ingredient sourcing, zero-waste techniques, and the story behind each drink. This conscious approach builds brand loyalty, attracts eco-conscious clientele, and allows bars to contribute positively to their communities.
Crafting a Sustainable Cocktail Program
For bars looking to embrace sustainability, starting with small, consistent changes is often the most effective approach. Engaging the entire team, from bartenders to management, ensures that sustainable practices become an integral part of daily operations. Educating patrons about these efforts through menus, signage, or social media also helps build awareness and appreciation for the bar’s eco-friendly initiatives.
Real-Life Bars Leading the Way in Sustainable Mixology
Here are some of the top bars globally championing sustainability:
Zest – Hong Kong
Sustainable Practices: Zest incorporates a zero-waste philosophy, focusing on locally sourced ingredients and innovative techniques to minimize waste. Their bartenders are dedicated to using whole ingredients, often repurposing peels, stems, and leftover juice into garnishes, syrups, or cocktail bases.
Signature Cocktail: The Zesty Mule features homemade ginger beer and local herbs, creating a refreshing, waste-free twist on the classic mule.
Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2024
Address: Zest by Konishi, 18 On Lan St, Central, Hong Kong
Native – Singapore
Sustainable Practices: Native focuses on using local and regional ingredients to minimize its carbon footprint. They forage herbs, use local produce, and even make their own versions of popular ingredients like gin, showcasing their commitment to sustainability. Native also embraces zero-waste practices by reusing or repurposing materials in their drink presentations.
Example Cocktails: Their menu includes cocktails like Antz, a drink made with foraged ingredients, kombucha, and topped with a garnish of Thai ants for a unique twist on sustainability.
Address: 52A Amoy St, Singapore 069878
Scout – London, UK
Sustainable Practices: Known for its dedication to minimizing waste, Scout focuses on British ingredients, frequently changing its menu based on what is locally and seasonally available. They repurpose everything from citrus peels to herb stems and use sustainable methods for preserving ingredients.
Example Cocktails: Their cocktails feature locally sourced or foraged ingredients like seaweed and fennel. Scout also makes its own infusions, ferments, and syrups to keep waste down.
Address: 10 Chalcot Square, London NW1 8YB, United Kingdom
The Broken Shaker – Miami, USA
Sustainable Practices: The Broken Shaker has adopted a farm-to-glass philosophy, using herbs from its own garden and sourcing ingredients locally to cut down on food miles. Their Miami location has been especially proactive in reducing single-use plastic and promoting recycled or compostable materials.
Example Cocktails: Known for their inventive, garden-inspired drinks, the bar uses tropical, fresh ingredients in cocktails like the Bitter Queen, which uses homegrown herbs and sustainably sourced produce.
Address: 2727 Indian Creek Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
The Clumsies – Athens, Greece
Sustainable Practices: The Clumsies uses organic, local, and seasonal ingredients for their cocktails. They incorporate techniques to eliminate waste, such as using leftover ingredients to make syrups, garnishes, or bases for new drinks.
Example Cocktails: Their cocktails include ingredients like Greek herbs and honey sourced from local suppliers, adding a distinct local flavor to the drinks.
Address: Praxitelous 30, Athens 10561, Greece
Dandelyan (Now Lyaness) – London, UK
Sustainable Practices: Founded by Ryan Chetiyawardana, Dandelyan was an early leader in sustainable cocktails. Now rebranded as Lyaness, the bar continues to embrace sustainability, eliminating traditional wasteful processes. They focus on ingredient reuse and have shifted to a menu of “ingredients” instead of traditional cocktails, further supporting their zero-waste approach.
Example Cocktails: Innovative drinks like the Infinity Banana, which repurposes banana peels to reduce waste, have become signatures of Lyaness’s approach to sustainability.
Address: 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD, United Kingdom
Final Sip
Sustainability in mixology represents more than a trend—it’s a movement toward conscious consumption and environmental responsibility. By integrating sustainable practices into cocktail programs, bars not only reduce waste but also create flavorful, innovative drinks that reflect a commitment to the planet. The future of cocktails lies in sustainability, and each eco-friendly drink served brings us one step closer to a greener world.
Cheers to cocktails that are as kind to the planet as they are delightful to sip! 🥂
