It was very interesting to sit down and think about what we have seen happen to mixology in this first decade of this newest century and millennium. I was certainly not into the whole scene as much as I am before the "big change," but in talking to others and studying the trends over the years I have a good feel for what it was like and have seen some amazing transformations for myself in this decade alone.
I think the thing that has set this decade apart from the last few has been the interest in mixology over bartending. By that I mean that the bar has seen a craft-like atmosphere come back to it in a formidable and widespread way that it had not seen for many years - almost back to the first part of the last century. More and more bartenders are studying mixology, developing enlightening new cocktails, taking their time with the mixing process, and exploring new spirits and classic cocktails.
It has been a fun transformation to watch over the years and I do not see it stopping, or even slowing down. No, I think this interest in treating the drink like fine cuisine is just now reaching the summit and in looking back, each of my Top 10 Cocktail Trends of the Decade fall under this "Mixology is Back" theory.
I did have to limit myself to 10 choices and know there are some trends missing. What do you see have been the biggest bartending trends of 2000-2009?
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