The Swicy Trend Blends Sweet and Spicy Flavors for a Fresh Set of Drink Options
Find out if that Hot Honey Espresso Martini is just a passing fad, or if it’s a sign of spicy things to come.
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A few years ago, it seemed like we couldn’t create enough sweet-and-salty recipes to satisfy the appetites of Better Homes & Gardens readers (or editors). Anything salted caramel or chocolate-sea salt seemed to earn rave reviews—and rank among the most popular recipes on our site. But in the past year, a new food trend has swooped into the spotlight: swicy.
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Pairing sweet and spicy elements in a dish is nothing new. Individuals from many corners of the world, including in India, Korea, Mexico, Thailand, and throughout the Caribbean, have been tapping into the power of this dynamic duo for centuries to lend balance and complexity to their kitchen creations. And, of course, we can't forget a very controversial swicy tag team that has been a hot topic for decades: pineapple on pizza.
The term swicy appears to have been coined on TikTok in 2023, and ever since, a tidal wave of complex and unique snacks and menu items have debuted.
According to Tara Lewis, the Washington, D.C.-based trend expert and vice president of community expansion for Yelp, searches for key ingredients such as “hot honey” (up 240%), “sriracha” (up 32%), “jalape?o” (up 32%), and “tajin” (up 26%) are all seeing year-over-year increases on Yelp.
One of the fastest-growing culinary categories of swicy items? Drinks. And we’re not just talking about spicy margaritas... although that sure does sound refreshing! Ahead, we’re diving into the swicy drink trend and asking experts to spill about if this will be a short-lived spike or a sip trend that sticks around.
Meet the Expert
George Lahlouh is the co-owner of Paper Plane, MINIBOSS, and Still OG Bar/Alter Ego in San Jose, California.
Tara Lewis is the Washington D.C.-based trend expert and vice president of community expansion for Yelp.
Sarah Marion, Ph.D., is the Seattle, Washington-based director of syndicated research for the market research company Murphy Research.
The Swicy Drink Trend, Explained
“Once upon a time, whenever a guest would be looking for something spicy the only options you'd hear a bartender throwing around is either a Bloody Mary or maybe a spicy margarita,” says George Lahlouh of Paper Plane, MINIBOSS, and Still OG Bar/Alter Ego in San Jose, California. “But in the last 10 years, options have become abundant. Craft bartenders have latched onto spiciness as a tool to add a new dimension to their cocktails.”
A flurry of 2024 swicy drink launches by major coffee shops and cola companies proves that this drink trend isn’t only shaking things up in the bar space. Coca-Cola Spiced, Jamba Juice’s Watermelon Tajín, and Starbucks Spicy Lemonade Refreshers are few of many new-for-’24 options, so it’s clear that the swicy drink trend is taking over the spirit-free and spirited beverage space.
Our trio of trend experts agree that this swicy drink trend doesn’t appear to be fleeting. Sarah Marion, Ph.D., of Murphy Research believes that this is partially due to the fact that “younger consumers—Millennials, but especially Gen Z, and now Gen A—are a much more diverse group not only in race and ethnicity, but in national origin too,” she says.
About 27% of Americans are now either first or second generation immigrants to the U.S., according to estimates from The Harvard Immigration Initiative. These individuals are bringing the sweet-and-spicy combos they know and love from home onto plates and into glasses—and then, into cookbooks and on social media. Case in point, golden milk (we love Kosa Ayurveda's recipe with turmeric, ginger, ashwagandha, black pepper, and cardamom), which dates back thousands of years in India. Now, you can find golden milk lattes, shaken drinks, or milkshakes on the menu at several national brands.
Marion also points to shifting wellness perspectives as a possible factor. More consumers, especially younger ones, say they “live to eat” and like to experiment, and feel less guilt around indulgence in moderation than their parents may have.
“Mindful eating has been trending up, and consumers today are a bit less concerned about actively avoiding sugar, especially compared to pre-pandemic,” Marion adds.
Swicy Drink Ingredients
Another reason swicy drinks might be here to stay (besides the ample history of the sweet-spicy pairing, the growing diversity of recipes that take centerstage, and our feelings about sweeteners) is that the spice level is easy to dial up or back.
“I personally love a heartburn-inducing Bloody Mary on Saturday mornings,” Lahlouh says, but you can also dip your toe into the swicy drink trend with something on the milder side.
For example, try replacing the simple syrup in your next Espresso Martini with the same amount of hot honey. Pop a few jalape?o slices into your glass of rosé wine. Or rim the glass of your lemonade or limeade with chamoy and Tajín.
To help inspire what might just be your new favorite swicy sip, we’ve listed some possible ingredients that fit each category below.
Sweet
Tamarind
Pineapple
Strawberry
Yuzu
Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime
Spicy
Peppers
Chiles
Black pepper
Dried spices
Hot honey
Tajín
Related: The 11 Best Hot Peppers to Add to Your Garden, Ranked by Spiciness
The Future of Swicy Drinks
Rather than sticking with the same ol’ juice, soda, or sparkling water, a growing number of Americans are embracing the sweet-and-spicy trend they have already accepted on their plates and bowls and into their glasses.
“People love to throw things at their palate that challenge and satisfy them in different ways and spiciness in cocktails and other drinks absolutely does just that,” Lahlouh says.
As we head deeper into summer, a growing number of menus and store shelves “will continue to add these bold, refreshing flavors that diners crave during the warm weather season,” Lewis predicts. “Whether it’s a spicy mango sorbet to celebrate mango season or a jalape?o-infused lemonade, the swicy trend is here to stay. I’m hopeful that it’ll become as prevalent as other beloved flavor combinations like sweet and salty.”
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