I did not consider reviewing other alcoholic beverages when I did my first Canadian Wine Trends analysis for 2021 consumption but am rectifying it by having an article for 2024. In particular, I am covering craft beer, craft cider, and cocktails. In my articles covering wines, the greatest volumes of queries have come from British Columbians, often followed by Quebec. How will these non-wine alcoholic beverages trend by province?
Alcoholic Beverage Graphs for 2024
Craft Beer
Craft beer interest in Canada shows a general steady interest, with a peak a little higher in the summer months and lower during the winter. The most queries abut craft beer appear to be for BC and Alberta along with a strong interest from PEI. Our largest province, Ontario, shows about half the interest as in BC or PEI. I’ve seen and heard on television news about Premier Doug Ford promising easier access to beer, so would have thought that the interest level would be higher. Maybe Ontarians know which beer they like and are not interested in trying other beers?
Craft Cider
I was surprised by how little interest there is in ciders as there are many cideries in BC. I assumed that cider interest would go across Canada. We grow apples in every province. Besides BC the other province showing interest in cider is Ontario. I expected some interest to be shown in Quebec as cider is popular in France. I read that France produces the most cider worldwide, with its origins dating back to the sixth century. To me, the three main peaks in the graph do not indicate any specific ongoing interest in cider. Maybe there is a great opportunity for cider to be produced and sold locally within each province, or to bring in cider from France? Is there a need for cideries to better promote their ciders? What do you think?
Cocktails
Cocktails show a general interest year-round with a spike during the Christmas holidays. British Columbia again shows up with the highest level of interest (queries) about cocktails. I noticed that Yukon and the Northwest Territories show up as lovers of cocktails as well. The Territories have not shown up in wine, beer, or cider. Cocktail culture rules up north?
According to Bartender Spirits Awards and Absolut both from the USA in 2024, several cocktails stood out as favourites. Here are some of the most popular ones (I assume Canada would have similar tastes):
1. Martini: This classic cocktail, made with gin and vermouth, continued to be a favourite for its simplicity and sophistication.
2. Espresso Martini: A blend of caffeine and alcohol, this cocktail remained popular for its unique combination of vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur.
3. Margarita: With the rise of tequila and mezcal, the Margarita, made with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, was a top choice.
4. Negroni: This aperitif, combining gin, vermouth, and Campari, saw a surge in popularity.
5. Old Fashioned: A whiskey lover’s go-to, made with muddled sugar, bitters, and whiskey or brandy.
6. Cosmopolitan: Known for its vibrant appearance and presence in pop culture, this vodka-based cocktail with Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime juice was still a hit.
7. Skinny Bitch: A simple cocktail made with vodka, soda water, and fresh lime juice, perfect for a night out.
8. Lemon Drop Shot: A lively, sweet, and zesty shot made with lemon-flavoured vodka.
9. Bloody Mary: A brunch staple with its tangy tomato base and zesty, spicy kick.
10. White Russian: A decadent dessert cocktail with vodka, Kahlúa, and cream.
I wonder if there are certain cocktails that are more often ordered in certain provinces or Territories and what is the breakdown by age group? This goes beyond what Google Trends can come up with, but would be interesting to find out.
I hope you enjoyed reading about craft beer, cider, and cocktail interest in Canada for 2024. If you have any insights into any of these beverages, leave a comment below. Cheers.
