Champagne Towers, Rare Wines, and Custom Cocktails: NYC’s Hottest Drink Trends for Luxury Events
How the city’s most exclusive gatherings are raising the bar—literally
In New York City, luxury is never static—it evolves. And nowhere is that more apparent than in the way events serve their most celebrated guest: the drink. From gleaming champagne towers and private wine libraries to bespoke cocktail bars that feel like theatrical installations, today's high-society events are turning every pour into a moment.
Whether you're curating a wedding, gala, or corporate experience for the city’s elite, the beverage program is no longer a sidebar—it’s the showstopper.
Here’s what’s trending now among NYC’s most discerning hosts.
Champagne Towers: The Icon Returns
Once considered vintage glam, the champagne tower has made a powerful comeback—but with modern polish. Today's towers are taller, sleeker, and often customized with engraved glassware, monogrammed backdrops, or moody spotlighting for cinematic pours.
No longer just a toast—they're a focal point. A signal that the evening has truly begun.
Morgan partners with leading beverage designers to ensure each tower fits seamlessly into the aesthetic narrative, offering:
Hand-curated champagne selections (from Dom Pérignon to Grower Champagne)
Coupe glasses engraved with event initials or logos
Choreographed pours to timed music or ambient reveals
A well-executed champagne tower is more than a feature—it’s an experience.
Rare Wines: The Status Sip
For connoisseurs and collectors, luxury events are the perfect place to showcase rare vintages and exclusive labels. Whether served at dinner or as a curated tasting experience, fine wines signal sophistication at a quiet yet powerful volume.
Venues like the Baccarat Hotel Bar offer access to private cellars and globally renowned wine programs served in crystal stemware, enhancing every aspect of the tasting ritual.
Morgan often collaborates with sommeliers to:
Curate vertical tastings from the same estate
Pair rare vintages with chef-designed tasting menus
Offer collector wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Napa, and Tuscany
Guests don’t just sip—they talk about what they’re sipping. That’s the goal.
Custom Cocktails: Bespoke Beverages Meet Brand Identity
The rise of luxury mixology has ushered in a new standard of bar service. Today’s high-end events feature custom cocktails that reflect not only the host’s personality but also the event’s theme, color story, and mood.
Expect:
Signature drinks with heirloom spirits and house-made infusions
Ice cubes with edible flowers or stamped logos
Unexpected garnishes (think saffron, dried citrus wheels, or smoked herbs)
Cocktail programming at venues like Allure NYC showcases what’s possible when flavor, storytelling, and design converge. And Morgan’s team ensures every menu feels intentional and tailored.
For ultra-custom clients, even the glassware is personalized.
Miniature Martinis: Elegance in Moderation
Tiny martinis are having a moment—especially among Gen Z billionaires and fashion-forward hosts who value elegance without overindulgence.
These scaled-down versions of classic cocktails are:
Sophisticated
Playful
Ideal for pacing throughout the evening
Smaller pours also allow for curated martini flights or side-by-side variations (think gin vs. vodka, dry vs. dirty). Guests feel indulgent—never overwhelmed.
As Business Insider noted, “the tiny martini is the new status symbol.”
Immersive Beverage Experiences: The Bar as a Destination
Today’s luxury events are integrating drinks into the overall entertainment arc. This means designing bars as immersive experiences:
Interactive Cocktail Stations
Guests choose ingredients, garnishes, or custom labels for their drink.Thematic Bar Designs
Speakeasies hidden behind velvet curtains. Jungle bars complete with mist and botanicals. Parisian absinthe lounges with live violinists.Multi-sensory Mixology
From fog-filled glasses to scent-paired cocktails, drinks become an immersive act of theater.
Beverage is no longer a supporting detail—it’s a signature.
Raise the Bar with Morgan Nevans
In Morgan’s world, every drink tells a story. From vintage crystal coupes to curated caviar pairings, she curates beverage experiences that delight, surprise, and spark conversation.
Want your event to be remembered for its taste—literally? Contact Morgan Nevans to design a beverage program that reflects your taste, your story, and your legacy.