in

7 Unusual Cocktail Ingredients Elevating Mixology

7. Ants: The Wild Edge of Creativity

Used in fine dining, real ants contribute a natural citrusy tang from formic acid. Whether as a garnish or infusion, they bring wild acidity and a sense of adventure to forward-thinking cocktails.

Ant on a lime-rimmed cocktail glass symbolizing an unusual cocktail ingredient adding citrus acidity.

The Future of Flavor

These unusual cocktail ingredients represent more than novelty — they symbolize curiosity, craft, and courage behind the bar. As mixology continues to evolve, innovation will keep challenging the boundaries of taste, texture, and imagination.

World’s 50 Best Bars 2025: Bar Leone Tops the List

World’s 50 Best Bars 2025: Bar Leone Tops the List