Remember when everyone thought that Segways were going to be super popular? That funny little vehicle that Job from Arrested Development always rode around on? Remember the Atkins diet? You know, the one where couldn’t eat carbs – or was it that you could only eat carbs; frankly, I can’t remember. Good god, do you remember Crocs? It is a basic rule of life on earth that trends come and go; a trend, by definition, is fleeting and momentary. One instant everyone is wearing goofy rubber footwear with holes in them; the next there are piles of rubber clogs in the landfills (side note: Crocs are actually recyclable). Such is the way of the world; such is the law of trends.
Some phenomena begin as what appear to be trends, but once they’ve proven themselves by embedding themselves in culture for a prolonged period of time they escape the fate of Segways and Crocs; business owners who are reliant on the success of a trend turned mainstay can begin to breathe easy (of course, being a business owner is never very easy).
An example of a trend turned mainstay is the craft cocktail craze that sprang up about a decade ago with the rise of bespoke – some might use the word hipster – culture. The general idea, which can be explored over at Bartendo.ca in greater detail, is that bartenders can be more than just bartenders, they can incorporate artistry into their craft and create a truly unique experience that will make a lasting impression on customers.
In most urban cultures nowadays, there is an emphasis on where ingredients have been sourced from – people want to know exactly what they’re putting into their bodies and where it came from. This is completely in line with the philosophy of the enlightened mixologist, who can tell you where their herbs and garnishes came from, often making their own infusions from scratch, and always sourcing top quality liquor from the best distilleries in the world.
Not does this make for a memorable and delicious experience, it can also lead to interesting conversations about culture, geography, and the interplay of unlikely flavours that create a completely unique experience. Everyone understands what egg whites are, but how the hell did egg whites first make their way into popular cocktails? These are the type of questions you may end up asking your local mixologist as they swirl a sprinkling of absinthe in your glass to lend your drink a subtle bite.
Another reason that craft cocktails have become so popular is that we live in an era when people are increasingly concerned with physical health and avoiding food and drink that will be detrimental to their health. Slamming a bunch of Budweiser and knocking back cheap whiskey is not only a recipe for a bad hangover, over time it can take a serious toll. Drinking two or three cocktails made from carefully sourced ingredients is inarguably a healthier way to get a buzz on.
As people become less focused on getting blotto and become more interested in exploring cocktail culture, party culture is changing. In every major Canadian city, you can easily find a mobile bar service to collaborate with you on an event and take your bar service to the next level.