Here's Why Flight Cocktails Might Just Take Off At Your Next Brunch
Imagine walking into your favourite cocktail bar for brunch, eyeing the menu with its classic mojitos, negronis, espresso martini cocktails, and more—and wishing you didn’t have to choose just one. What if, instead of committing to a single drink, you could try a bit of everything? Enter the flight cocktail: a mini but mighty trend that’s quietly brewing behind some of India’s most experimental bars—and one that could very well redefine your next cocktail experience.
Recently, at Cobbler & Crew in Pune, I encountered this trend in action. Known for their meticulously crafted cocktails and seasonal ingredients, the team there has started serving miniature or mini cocktails in tasting flights—an idea so clever, it’s surprising more places haven’t jumped on board. Think tasting menus, but for drinks. And just like that, the brunch scene has changed, and this is a wave millennials and GenZs alike can get on board with.
What Exactly Are Flight Cocktails?
Inspired by the wine and beer world—where flights or samplers are commonly used to help patrons try a variety of labels—flight cocktails are small, curated servings of multiple drinks, typically ranging from 30ml to 60ml each. Instead of ordering one full cocktail, guests receive a tray or paddle of three to five mini cocktails, allowing them to sample different spirits, flavour profiles, or seasonal specials in one sitting. At Cobbler & Crew, however, you won’t necessarily get a tray of mini cocktails. Instead, mixologists Aashie Bhatnagar and Mayur Marne will come and take you through the mini cocktail menu, explain what’s what, and help you make the best selection according to your palate.
This isn’t just about quantity; it’s about variety, education, and experience. Much like tapas plates for food lovers, flight cocktails let drinkers explore without the commitment of a full pour. Want to try both a whisky-based and gin-based option, but still leave room for dessert or another dish? A cocktail flight is your best way of getting to taste the flavours of each variety without drinking too much too.
A Fresh And Responsible Take On Brunch Drinking
The rise of the brunch cocktail culture in India has brought along a host of easy-drinking classics like mimosas, bellinis, Bloody Marys, and spritzes. But as menus get more experimental and Indian diners grow curious about international cocktail trends, there’s space for more creative ways of serving drinks.
Flight cocktails are perfectly suited for brunch—lighter on the alcohol levels, playful in presentation, and easy to pair with food. At Cobbler & Crew, the cocktail flight I sampled included a mini tropical sour, a clarified gimlet, and a house-special rum punch—each about 45ml in size, and each paired to enhance the savoury and sweet bites we had ordered.
The best part? You don’t have to worry about overdoing it. The flights are measured carefully to give you just enough of a taste to enjoy your meal and company, without overwhelming your palate or your senses.
Also Read: Matching Indian Brunch Dishes With Complementary Cocktails; Tips Inside
Why It Works (Especially In India)
In a market like India, where cocktail drinking is still growing in popularity, flight cocktails serve a unique purpose: they democratise the cocktail menu. Many diners hesitate to order craft cocktails because they’re unsure if they’ll like them, or because the pricing of each individual drink makes experimenting feel heavier on the pocket.
But when you offer smaller portions at a bundled or reduced price, the barriers come down. Suddenly, you can try a tequila cocktail even if you’re not a fan, or discover that you do like mezcal when it’s paired with grapefruit and chilli. It becomes a tasting journey—and one that fits perfectly into India’s social, food-focused culture.
For bartenders and mixologists, flight cocktails are also an exciting creative playground. They allow professionals to show off multiple styles in one menu, or highlight seasonal or local ingredients through a themed set—not to mention the fact that it allows progressive Indian cuisine chefs to curate well-crafted, holistic menus where courses or food ingredients can be matched with sample-sized cocktails that pair well.
Beyond Taste, It’s All About The Visuals
Let’s not forget the visual appeal of a good flight cocktail. Served on wooden paddles, glass trays or custom ceramic plates along with bite-sized food samples, these mini drinks are social media gold. With their tiny garnishes, pastel hues and smoky toppers, flight cocktails appeal to a generation that values both aesthetics and adventure. It’s easy to imagine this trend catching on at more brunch-focused venues, boutique bars, and even weddings or private events.
Of course, like any new trend, flight cocktails come with their own challenges. From a business perspective, it involves more prep, smaller margins per drink, and the need for dedicated staff who can manage complexity without losing pace during service. But the opportunity to create memorable guest experiences far outweighs these obstacles. Flight cocktails can help increase overall ticket size, encourage repeat visits, and spark conversations around the bar program. They also open up a whole new market for cocktail tasting events, masterclasses, and seasonal menus.
The Future Of Flight Cocktails In India
Given how experimental Indian diners are becoming—especially in metros and tier-1 cities—it’s only a matter of time before flight cocktails take off beyond Pune. Look out for cocktail bars in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Goa embracing the trend during brunch service or as part of tasting menus. There’s also room for non-alcoholic or zero-proof cocktail flights, making this trend inclusive for teetotallers or those who want a lighter experience. As zero-proof spirits and botanical extracts gain popularity, mini mocktail flights could easily become a hit at festive brunches, corporate events or wedding venues.
In a world where diners crave new experiences and stories to share, flight cocktails offer the perfect mix of discovery, delight and design. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just someone who wants to try something new without going all in, these mini masterpieces are a delicious way to drink smart. So the next time you’re at brunch and can’t decide what to order—just say, “I’ll take the flight.”
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
