Mangrove predicts a rum revival for Christmas
Spirits distributor Mangrove Global has released its predictions for the 2025 festive season, with one defining theme: ‘flavour with purpose’.
“The mood has shifted,” said business development manager Xander Driver. “It’s less about novelty and more about flavour, comfort and a bit of theatre. People want drinks that feel familiar, but that are well made.”
Mangrove doesn’t see rum’s role as a ‘winter staple’ slowing, with the firm predicting continued success for spiced and aged expressions. In particular, it noted a ‘clear preference for balance over sweetness’.
From Mangrove’s portfolio, Driver pointed to Chairman’s Reserve Spiced as “the benchmark for proper Christmas rum: nutmeg, cinnamon, burnt orange and all those natural Saint Lucian spices that instantly say winter and Christmas.”
Both hot and cold rum serves are predicted to be popular, including Lucian Coffee, Chairman’s Mulled Wine, and Espresso Rumtinis.
Mangrove also noted a growing appreciation for rum’s regional identity, with bartenders differentiating between Caribbean and Latin styles.
It also predicted whisky’s ‘strong’ year will continue into Christmas. “It’s exciting to see how far world whisky has come,” said Driver. “The variety, the accessibility, and the stories behind these spirits have really opened things up for drinkers and bartenders alike.”
Driver recommends Red Bank as “the perfect whisky for the table”.
The firm highlighted Irish whiskey has ‘one of the most buoyant corners of the category’. “Irish culture is really having its time,” noted Driver. “You can feel it across music, food and drinks, and that’s feeding through to what people are ordering.”
Mangrove has observed enthusiasm for Irish styles such as Glendalough Double Barrel, with its ‘vanilla, honey and toasted grain’ profile.
Driver also points to “a wave of smart bar innovation” around hot serves, batch Irish Coffees, bain-marie preps, and whisky-based toddies designed for speed without compromise on quality.
From liqueurs to agave
Cream liqueurs will remain a Christmas staple, according to Driver. “At this time of year, people want something familiar and rewarding,” he said. “And bars need serves that are simple to execute but still feel special.”
He suggests ‘richer, textural’ expressions like Norfolk Nog from The English and Limoncello Di Capri Cream.
Mangrove’s final trend prediction is the continued strength of both coffee and Tequila. Bartenders are exploring different spirit bases for the Espresso Martini, while space is being made on festive menus for Spiced Margaritas, Paloma twists and reposado Old Fashioneds.
“Tequila isn’t a seasonal spirit anymore,” added Driver. “It’s found its place on every backbar, and bartenders are treating it with the same respect as whisky or rum.
Bars are thinking smarter this year, not trying to reinvent everything, just making better drinks with what they’ve got. Simple serves, good flavour and a bit of warmth – that’s what people want.”
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