The Gen Z Colada - Taking a Look at the Bartending of the Future!

Fellow bartenders, we’re doomed! The new generations are drinking less and less… or at least that’s what the big headlines want us to believe. But is it really true? Every few weeks there’s a new article, chart, or video saying Gen Z is killing alcohol.

Some studies even show record lows in how many young adults drink at all, and teenagers today drink far less than teenagers did 20 years ago. That’s clearly a good trend, but does it also mean the end of cocktail bars as we know them? Are we headed for a new dry era?

Well, the data isn’t as clear as those headlines suggest. Many “Gen Z spends less on alcohol” graphs include people who are underage, so of course their spending will be lower. And when you take a look at those of legal drinking age, their participation is actually close to Millennials and Gen X at the same age–in some markets it’s even increasing.

As highlighted by Drinks International, the proportion of Gen Z consumers of legal age who’ve had alcohol in the past six months has gone up in major markets like the US, UK, and Australia. So, to quote, “the idea that Gen Z legal drinking age drinkers are somehow fundamentally different from other age groups isn’t supported by the evidence”.

That said, overall alcohol consumption in the U.S. has dropped to historic lows, while the no- and low-alcohol category grows year after year, with Gen Z leading the way when it comes to this. Nearly half of 18–24 year-olds say they go for a non-alcoholic or low-proof drink when going out.

But this doesn’t mean the party’s over, it just means the rules are changing. And as we’ve seen with bars adapting to the Prohibition or the recent lockdowns, then this shift is another opportunity, not a threat. It’s now on us to create menus where a non-alcoholic cocktail feels just as special as one with spirits.

So instead of worrying, let’s adapt with low-ABV twists and crafted alcohol-free options that keep the flavor and fun alive–and today’s cocktail does exactly that. It’s a silky, sparkling Piña Colada variation where FIOL Prosecco provides the richness and body. I call it the Gen Z Colada, and I made it for my Mastering Bubbles masterclass. So let’s see how it comes together, it’s Cocktail Time!

Piña Colada Milk Punch

● 600mL · 20oz Pineapple Juice

● 140g Banana

● 100g Lime Juice

● 100g Demerara Sugar

● 1g Crushed Coffee Beans

● 0.5g Vanilla Bean

● 0.4g Crushed Nutmeg

● 2 drops 20% Saline Solution

● 150mL · 5oz Coconut Milk

● 70mL · 2.33oz Coconut Cream

We’ll add the ingredients except the coconut milk and coconut cream into a high-powered blender for the best results. You can skip the coffee beans but this is a nice nod to the Piña Colada from La Trova, but once everything is fully blended in, it’s time to prepare the second part.

So combine the coconut milk and coconut cream in a small pot, heat it up gently until and then pour the blended mixture over the mixture. After about 30 minutes pour it over a cloth filter. If the first liquid coming through is still pretty murky just refilter that part once the curds form an additional filter. 

But don’t worry if it’s not super clear either, because we’re not force-carbonating this milk punch base, and at the end of the day, not every cocktail needs to be super clear. You’ll still end up with a silky base that will keep in the fridge for about a week–but in that case, bottle it and add a label, of course.

With this you are ready to build a cocktail where the subtle notes of apple, pear and sweet peaches from FIOL will enhance the fruity character of pineapple and coconut in the base of our cocktail. The wine acidity will give it some extra freshness, all while being low in alcohol. 

Gen Z Colada

● 75mL · 2.5oz Piña Colada Milk Punch

● 90g FIOL Prosecco

● 2 drops 20% Saline Solution

● Pineapple Fronds Garnish

To make this cocktail you’ll need a chilled highball glass with a clear, tempered ice spear. We’ll add the prosecco first, using a scale so we can pour it directly into the glass, without losing any carbonation along the way. 

Now add in the saline solution, followed by the milk punch which will mix straight away with the prosecco. Just give the cocktail a quick mix with a barspoon to help it along, then garnish with some pineapple fronds and you’re ready to give the Gen Z Colada a try!

Light in ABV and simple to build, but full and complex in flavors. The milk punch base gives it a rum-like flavor, body and warmth, and FIOL’s crisp apple notes highlight the pineapple beautifully. I can see this milk punch base making some amazing mocktails too, especially when mixed with our Zero Rum. 

Either way, you know where these flavors came from, but the cocktail is still going down its own path. Just like these new generations are doing in relation to what, how and when they drink. Are we heading into a new Prohibition? I don’t think so. But guests are changing the way they drink, and if you are looking for more alcohol-free ideas to take advantage of this, check out this playlist. 

Until next time, cheers, Friends of Cocktails!