Why Restaurants Are Finally Offering Vegan Cocktail Menus

Arushi Gupta

18 Jul 2025 — 4 min read

For years, vegans have asked a simple question at restaurants:
“Is this cocktail vegan?”

And for years, they’ve been met with blank stares, awkward pauses, or the dreaded, “Umm... I think so?” But now, something is shifting — and it’s about time.

Across the globe, forward-thinking bars and restaurants are beginning to roll out dedicated vegan cocktail menus. And these aren’t just watered-down juice mixes. We’re talking craft, flavor-forward, creatively built drinks made with plants — and nothing else.

So what changed? Why now? And why does it matter?

Let’s shake things up and pour out the truth.

The Hidden Animal Ingredients in Classic Cocktails

If you’re new to vegan cocktails, here’s the kicker: most people don’t realize what’s not vegan in their glass.

Many traditional cocktails contain hidden animal products, such as:

Egg whites for foamy textures in drinks like whiskey sours
Honey as a sweetener in cocktails like the Gold Rush
Cream or milk in drinks like White Russians and Grasshoppers
Gelatin or isinglass used to clarify some spirits and mixers
Cochineal (aka carmine), a red dye from crushed beetles, sometimes found in bitters

Until recently, these ingredients were overlooked — not just by consumers, but even by bartenders. Vegan drinkers often had to cross-reference apps like Barnivore or interrogate their server before sipping.

Why Restaurants Are Changing Course

So why are restaurants finally catching up and crafting fully vegan-friendly cocktail menus?

Here are the major reasons behind this overdue shift:

1. Demand Is Rising

More people are choosing plant-based lifestyles — not just for food, but across every consumer choice. Restaurants are realizing that offering vegan-friendly cocktails isn’t a fringe trend — it’s smart business.

2. Transparency Culture

Consumers now care more than ever about what’s in their food and drink. Vegan cocktails align with this growing desire for ingredient transparency and ethical sourcing.

3. Creativity Wins

Chefs and bartenders are excited by the challenge. Aquafaba instead of egg whites? Maple syrup instead of honey? Oat cream for liqueurs? It’s not a downgrade — it’s innovation.

4. Brand Identity & Inclusivity

Restaurants want to be seen as inclusive, ethical, modern, and socially conscious. Offering a vegan cocktail menu sends a clear message: Everyone belongs here.

So what makes a cocktail menu vegan?

Here’s what to expect:

No dairy, honey, eggs, or animal-derived additives
Alternative sweeteners like agave, maple, or date syrup
Use of aquafaba for creamy or foamy textures
Housemade bitters and infusions free of cochineal or gelatin
Spirits verified as vegan-friendly (not all are!)

And don’t worry — taste isn’t sacrificed. In fact, many vegan cocktails are richer in flavor thanks to thoughtful layering of herbs, fresh citrus, syrups, and infusions.

3 Trendsetting Spots That Got It Right

These bars and restaurants are leading the way with creative, inclusive drink menus:

🍸 Double Zero – NYC, USA

A vegan pizza spot turned cocktail powerhouse. Their use of aquafaba in gin fizzes is flawless.

🍹 The Green Room – Melbourne, AUS

Known for its 100% plant-based drink list, this bar offers smoky mezcal cocktails with mushroom bitters.

🍷 Tula Vida – London, UK

A fully vegan restaurant with craft cocktails like the “Coconut White Russian” — creamy, sweet, and dairy-free.

👉 Helpful Tip: When dining out, don’t be afraid to ask your server, “Do you have any vegan cocktails?” You might be surprised by what’s available — even if it’s not on the printed menu.

Hosting at Home? Make It Vegan & Fancy

Restaurants are getting on board, but you can start the trend in your own kitchen.

Try these easy swaps:

Egg whites → aquafaba (chickpea brine)
Cream → coconut cream or oat milk
Honey → agave or maple syrup
Bitters → check the brand on Barnivore.com

Simple recipe to try:
Maple Bourbon Sour

2 oz bourbon (vegan brand)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz maple syrup
1 tbsp aquafaba
Shake well without ice, then again with ice. Strain. Garnish with lemon peel.

Why It Matters — Beyond the Drink

This shift isn’t just about what’s in your glass.

It’s about respecting values. It’s about restaurants saying, “We see you. You matter.” And it’s about making ethical, intentional living feel joyful — not restrictive.

A vegan cocktail menu tells guests that they can celebrate, relax, and indulge without compromising their ethics.

And that matters.

Because when plant-based choices are normalized in social settings, it removes friction, reduces stigma, and helps everyone feel more comfortable choosing what aligns with their values.

Final Sip: Cheers to the Future

The next time you see “Vegan Cocktails” on a menu, raise your glass.

It means someone behind that bar thought about you. About sustainability. About compassion. About creativity without compromise.

And maybe, just maybe, it’s a sign that the world is slowly moving toward a more inclusive, conscious, and flavorful future — one cocktail at a time.