Monin 2025 Flavor Trends

Explore five trends that will influence café, bar, and restaurant menus in 2025 and beyond.

Innovation at Monin is fueled by a continuous commitment to exploring new flavors and as we celebrate our 10th year of flavor predictions, we reflect on the robust process that leads to and informs our trends decision. For a decade, a team of internal and consumer insights experts have worked together to identify and track emerging trends that influence flavor preferences. With the support of proprietary and secondary research analysis, this cross-functional team uses an “eye to the street” approach, garnering insights from several empirical sources, including global market excursions and the exchange of trend information with Monin beverage and culinary developers worldwide.

Read on for this year's trends and explore new cocktails, mocktails, and culinary creations.

The 'Reel' World

From Seed to Sip

Wild & Wired

The Hidden Gem

Treat Yourself
The 'Reel' World
From Seed to Sip
Wild & Wired
The Hidden Gem
Treat Yourself

The 'Reel' World

In a "phone eats first" world, visual appeal matters as much as taste to today’s consumers. In fact, 72% agree that food must look as good as it tastes (Menu Matters). With social media driving the latest viral flavor trends, algorithms have more power than ever to shape consumer choices. More than 50% have purchased a food, beverage, or ingredient just because they saw it on social media, and half of Gen Z say that algorithms know their tastes better than their own family (Vogue Business/Archrival).

Expect influencers and brands to “reel” in customers with crave-able content featuring showstopping cocktails, mocktails, and culinary dishes. Also trending this year are desserts and beverages featuring unique textures and sensory experiences, from crunchy pistachios and kunafa in the viral “Dubai chocolate bar” to smoked cocktails, creamy dirty sodas, and crackling lattes. Expect to see operators offer their own twist on popular viral trends to entice patrons to try a flavor experience they can't get at home.

 
 

From Seed to Sip

As consumers increasingly value locally sourced and sustainable options, they want to know more about the journey ingredients make from garden to glass. In fact, 57% of diners say they’re influenced by a restaurant's sustainability practices, and 80% expressed interest in limited-time offers featuring seasonal flavors (Datassential).

Expect to see ingredients like butterfly pea, lavender, and yuzu continue to gain traction on U.S. menus, with projected double-digit growth over the next four years (Datassential). Operators can experiment by pairing fresh herbs, florals, and exotic citrus with popular fruits like peach, coconut, and blueberry to create unique seasonal coffees, cocktails, iced teas, refreshers, and desserts.

By highlighting the origins and journey of unique ingredients, operators can craft compelling stories that turn every sip into a memorable experience. Emphasizing seasonality and traceability not only celebrates local and sustainable sourcing, but also creates a deeper connection with customers, building loyalty and trust through the flavors they love.

 
 

Wild & Wired

As consumers increasingly value locally sourced and sustainable options, they want to know more about the journey ingredients make from garden to glass. In fact, 57% of diners say they’re influenced by a restaurant's sustainability practices, and 80% expressed interest in limited-time offers featuring seasonal flavors (Datassential).

Expect to see ingredients like butterfly pea, lavender, and yuzu continue to gain traction on U.S. menus, with projected double-digit growth over the next four years (Datassential). Operators can experiment by pairing fresh herbs, florals, and exotic citrus with popular fruits like peach, coconut, and blueberry to create unique seasonal coffees, cocktails, iced teas, refreshers, and desserts.

By highlighting the origins and journey of unique ingredients, operators can craft compelling stories that turn every sip into a memorable experience. Emphasizing seasonality and traceability not only celebrates local and sustainable sourcing, but also creates a deeper connection with customers, building loyalty and trust through the flavors they love.

 
 

The Hidden Gem

Today's consumers want to savor life’s finer moments without breaking the bank. Little luxuries like decadent sauces, tasting flights, and add-ons like caviar bumps elevate every bite or sip to feel tailored and unique.

53% of consumers order the items that sound most delicious (Datassential), from indulgent treats like mini churros and cookie butter desserts to savory delights like tapas and elevated street food. Even coffee is now viewed as a reward-worthy indulgence, with seasonal coffee flights, creamy cold foams, and decadent flavors like dulce de leche and tiramisu infusing beverages with a touch of luxury. For patrons who need a pick-me-up, unique shareable treats and rich, yet accessible flavors will satisfy the growing demand for indulgence, one delightful bite at a time.

 
 

Treat Yourself

Today's consumers want to savor life’s finer moments without breaking the bank. Little luxuries like decadent sauces, tasting flights, and add-ons like caviar bumps elevate every bite or sip to feel tailored and unique.

53% of consumers order the items that sound most delicious (Datassential), from indulgent treats like mini churros and cookie butter desserts to savory delights like tapas and elevated street food. Even coffee is now viewed as a reward-worthy indulgence, with seasonal coffee flights, creamy cold foams, and decadent flavors like dulce de leche and tiramisu infusing beverages with a touch of luxury. For patrons who need a pick-me-up, unique shareable treats and rich, yet accessible flavors will satisfy the growing demand for indulgence, one delightful bite at a time.