High Spirits: 20 Inspirational Cocktail Photos

Cocktails, as defined in 1806, are spirited beverages that are mixed with sugar, water and bitters. Martini is the first cocktail that was invented in 1862 but cocktails were popularized in 1920, when intoxicating drinks were banned by the National Prohibition Act. Despite this said Act, a huge American population continued to manufacture, sell and drink liquors by disguising the spirited drinks as colorful beverages. As intriguing as its history, appearance and taste, cocktails are also exciting subjects to photograph because of their vibrant hues and creative appearances.

(“Cocktails”) Chelsea Schroeder

One of the challenges of cocktail photography (and food photography in general) is achieving proper lighting to bring out the colorful shades of drinks. Food and travel photographer Sara Remington said in an interview (with cocktails expert Doug Winship) that it is best to use natural light when taking pictures of cocktails.

(“Photography Cocktails”) Anatoly

However, there are also photographers who shoot cocktails on a studio setting, particularly those that are used for commercial and artistic purposes. Backlight is vital in this setup to enhance the shape of the glasses and to avoid flat-looking images. Here are a few more creative cocktail photos for your inspiration:

(“Test Shoots”) Courtney Dawley

(“Cocktails”) Chris Vincent

(“5 O’clock Feta”) Angie Lazaro

(“Carte Noire Cocktails”) Dmitry Zholobov

(“Cocktails Plaza Athénée”) Remi SevenOne Three

(“Baileys Cocktails) Alexander Zuev

(“Sexylikehell Cocktails”) Studio 905

(“Drink Photography”) Erin Nelson

(“Cocktails”) Chelsea Schroeder

(“Cocktails”) Chris Vincent

(“Drink”) Marcelo Fuentes

(“Tropical Gin Fizz Cocktail”) Michael Korcuska

(“Julep”) Robert S. Donovan

(“Try, Honor Oak Park, London”) Ewan Munro

(“Cocktails”) Kirti Podar

(“Pretty Margarita”) Bonita Suraputra

(“Strawberry Margarita”) Rian0306

(“Pear Daiquiri and Friends”) Thor