If 2023 was the year of the Martini, 2024 has seen a shift towards lighter and more vibrant drinks. Cocktails that are high in tartness, filled with a refreshing zing, have captured the spotlight. A dominant ingredient in this year's favorite drinks, particularly among the Food & Wine audience, has been none other than the humble lemon.

Lemons have long been the cocktail sphere's go-to for infusing acidity, brightness, and a hint of bitterness. From classic sour mixes to Martini twists, the distinct flavor of lemon makes it a popular choice to anchor a drink, often highlighting the citrus notes over the alcohol itself. Think of a non-alcoholic Ginger Lemon Tonic with intriguing hints of ginger syrup or a Japanese Lemon Sour inspired by spritzes served in Japan’s izakayas, blending shochu and honey for a unique cocktail experience. 

The year's top drink recipes also incorporate diverse trends, such as no- and low-alcohol offerings like the Dirty Martini Spritz, along with flavorful variations of classic cocktails, such as a festive Cranberry-Rosemary Margarita. Here are eight standout cocktail trends from 2024 that we predict will rule the drinks scene in the coming year.

Our list kicks off with Lemon Sours, a standard offering on izakaya menus throughout Japan. The version whipped up by bartender Takuma Wantanabe brilliantly combines shochu, fresh lemon juice, club soda, and a hint of honey syrup, balanced with a smidgen of salt.

Next up we have a pink-tinted, winter-ready Margarita, which completely dismisses the notion that Margaritas are a summer-only affair. This cocktail blends cranberry juice with a rosemary-infused simple syrup, and tequila, producing a tart and slightly sweet drink with a nice woody undertone perfect for a winter soirée.

For those looking for a non-alcoholic option, the Ginger Lemon Tonic is a tantalizing choice. With just three ingredients-ginger syrup, lemon juice, and tonic water-it offers a burst of tart, spicy and slightly sweet flavors. Add a dash of gin or vodka for an alcohol-infused variant. 

The Blackberry Red Wine Spritz, concocted by the bar owners of Lo and Behold, located in California's wine region, Healdsburg, demonstrates the versatility of red wine as a cocktail component. This drink matches spicy notes of black cherry, blackberry, and Côtes du Rhône wine with a syrup made from fresh blackberries and shiso leaves, emphasizing dark fruit flavors and a delicate hint of herbaceousness.

Leaning into brunch vibes is the Holiday 75, an invention by bartender and cocktail content creator Kaitlyn Stewart. It merges the ingredient profiles of three brunch favorites- an Aperol Spritz, a Mimosa, and a French 75- to create a citrusy-fresh and lightly spritzed drink.

A nod to emerging Nordic gins, this twist on a classic Gibson incorporates herbal and floral Nordic gin with another Nordic spirit, aquavit, which adds hints of caraway, yielding a uniquely savory Gibson that is sure to delight any gin aficionado.

In Sicily, a crisp Italian spritz is a popular choice on warm days. Combining effervescent water with lemon juice and Sicilian sea salt, it delivers a tart and slightly salty drink bursting with lemon brightness.

And finally, for those looking for a lighter version of the classic Martini, enter the Dirty Martini Spritz, a cocktail that marries the decadence of a Dirty Martini with the lightness of a spritz.