Each year, the Drinks International Brands Report delivers one of the most closely watched snapshots of what the world’s best bars are actually pouring, recommending and celebrating behind the bar. Built on data from elite venues across Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australasia, the 2026 report once again confirms a powerful truth: the brands that succeed long-term are those that work seamlessly in classic cocktails, deliver consistency at scale, and genuinely earn bartender trust.
For Australian bartenders, the results are particularly telling. Across liqueurs, whisk(e)y, brandy, cognac, vermouth, mezcal and gin, many of the most awarded and bestselling brands globally sit under our Spirits Platform portfolio, giving local venues direct access to the same bottles shaping the world’s best cocktail menus.
Cointreau: The Backbone of the Margarita and Beyond
At the top sits Cointreau, which takes legacy gold on consistency alone. Across all 17 editions of the Drinks International Brands Report, Cointreau has never dropped out of the top four bestselling liqueurs worldwide — an unmatched record — despite only topping the annual list twice. It’s that long-term reliability, rather than short bursts of dominance, that cements its position as the most enduring liqueur in cocktail culture.
Cointreau #3 Best selling liqueur and #3 Top Trending liqueur. Few brands are as universally embedded in cocktail culture as Cointreau. From Margaritas to Sidecars, White Ladies and Cosmopolitans, its balance of bright orange peel, dryness and precision sweetness makes it a bartender’s essential rather than a modifier. As agave-based cocktails continue to dominate menus globally, Cointreau’s role as the trusted citrus component remains unmatched, giving Australian bars reliability in high-volume service without compromising flavour integrity.
Chartreuse: Complexity That Can’t Be Replicated
Chartreuse #4 Best Selling and #2 Top Trending Liqueur. Chartreuse remains one of the most distinctive and revered liqueurs in the world’s best bars. Whether green or yellow, its intensity and depth continue to anchor modern classics like The Last Word while adding intrigue to Negroni twists and low-ABV serves. In an era where authenticity and provenance matter more than ever, Chartreuse’s monastic origins and unchanging recipe offer bartenders something truly irreplaceable. Chartreuse claims third place in the all-time league, its scarcity only adding to its cult status behind the bar.
Disaronno: A Modern Classic That Still Delivers
Disaronno continues to hold its place as one of the world’s most relevant liqueurs behind the bar, ranking #5 Bestselling Liqueur globally and #7 Top Trending Liqueur.
Its unmistakable almond character and balance of sweetness and texture keep it firmly embedded in modern cocktail culture — from the enduring popularity of the Amaretto Sour to contemporary twists on sours, spritzes and dessert-style serves. For Australian bartenders, Disaronno offers the rare combination of strong guest recognition, menu versatility and proven global performance, making it a liqueur that earns its back-bar space rather than just occupying it.
Michter’s: Still Leading the Whiskey Conversation
Michter’s #1 Best Selling and Top Trending American Whiskey. Michter’s dominance in the American whiskey category continues into 2026, topping both bestselling and bartender-driven rankings globally. Its clean, expressive profile makes it a natural fit for Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Boulevardiers, while still holding its own as a premium sipping whiskey. For Australian venues, Michter’s represents the sweet spot between craft credibility and consistent supply — a balance that increasingly defines successful back bars.
The Macallan & Highland Park: Scotch With Purpose
The Macallan #2 Best Selling and #1 Top Trending Scotch Whisky. Scotch whisky remains central to global cocktail culture, and two names continue to stand out. The Macallan leads the premium conversation, not just as a single-malt icon, but as a bartender-respected whisky that leaves a lasting impression when used sparingly in cocktails or offered neat. Highland Park, meanwhile, brings balance — subtle peat, heathered honey and structure — making it ideal for Penicillin riffs and whisky-forward serves. Together, they cover both ends of modern Scotch demand.
Los Siete Misterios: Mezcal’s Benchmark Moment
Los Siete Misterios – #1 Bestselling Mezcal and #1 Top Trending Mezcal. One of the standout stories of the 2026 report is Los Siete Misterios, now the world’s preferred mezcal for the Mezcal Margarita. Its rise reflects a broader evolution in how mezcal is being used: not just sipped, but integrated thoughtfully into classics. For Australian bars, it offers authenticity, depth and a clear point of difference, while still working in high-demand serves.
Rémy Martin: Redefining Cognac’s Role
Rémy Martin #1 Best Selling & #2 Top Trending Cognac. Rémy Martin’s rise to the top of the cognac rankings marks a meaningful shift. No longer confined to snifters, it has re-established cognac as a core cocktail spirit, particularly in Sidecars and refined long drinks. Its success underscores what happens when a heritage house invests deeply in bartender engagement and on-premise relevance.
METAXA: Bridging Tradition and Modernity
METAXA #3 Bestselling Brandy and #2 Top Trending Brandy. METAXA occupies a unique space, sitting comfortably between brandy and aromatic spirits. Its adaptability has made it a favourite in both classic and contemporary cocktails, particularly where warmth, spice and softness are required. Its growing global recognition reflects a renewed appetite for spirits with heritage that still feel relevant behind a modern bar.
St-Rémy & Vecchia Romagna: Brandy’s Quiet Revival
St-Rémy #5 Best Selling Brandy. Brandy’s resurgence in elite bars is no accident. St-Rémy continues to prove its versatility, working effortlessly in Sidecar variations, long drinks and contemporary aperitif serves. Vecchia Romagna #6 Best Selling brandy. Vecchia Romagna adds Italian depth and character, lending itself to both classic and experimental builds. For Australian bartenders, these brands offer accessible entry points into a category that’s regaining relevance without intimidating guests.
Cinzano: Vermouth That Earns Its Place
Cinzano #6 Top Trending Vermouth. Vermouth is no longer an afterthought, and Cinzano’s global presence reflects that shift. From Negronis and Americanos to Spritzes and Martini variations, Cinzano provides balance, bitterness and structure without overpowering the base spirit. Its consistency makes it a dependable house vermouth — an increasingly important decision as guests become more vermouth-aware.
The Botanist: A Gin Bartenders Trust
The Botanist #7 Best Selling Gin. Gin remains fiercely competitive, and The Botanist continues to stand out for its balance and versatility. Distilled with a broad range of Islay botanicals, it performs equally well in Martinis, Negronis and modern gin serves. Its bartender-led positioning and flavour clarity explain its continued presence among the world’s most respected back bars.
Why This Matters for Australian Bartenders
What the 2026 Drinks International Brands Report makes clear is that today’s most successful bars aren’t chasing novelty — they’re curating dependable, high-performing brands that work across multiple drinks, occasions and service styles.
The strength of the Spirits Platform portfolio lies in exactly that philosophy. From foundational cocktail components to category-leading whiskies, liqueurs and aperitifs, these premium and highly esteemed brands allow Australian bartenders to build menus that are globally relevant, operationally efficient and trusted by guests.
Stocking our brands isn’t about following trends — it’s about aligning with what the world’s best bars already know works, so you attract more customers to your venues!
Talk to your local Spirits Platform Representative today to help you build an award-winning back bar and menu for your patrons!
