A Pro Guide to Cocktail Photography
Where Art Meets Mixology & Brand Storytelling
The perfect cocktail is more than just a beverage — it’s a wonderful sensory experience that can start with a gorgeous photo. Telling the right story and setting a perfect mood, cocktail photography can inspire guests, reflect a distinct vibe, and give anyone a taste of what an establishment or brand has to offer.
Capturing that essence with artistry and inspired style requires an experienced cocktail photographer who can dial in every detail to snap the perfect pictures.
Enter Alias.
As experts in cocktail photography, we bring luxury, creativity, and precision to every shot, showcasing the magic and allure of various beverages in a way no one else can. Here’s how we do that, with a closer look at:
1. Why Cocktail Photography Is an Art Form
2. Cocktail Photography: 10 Must-Have Shots
3. Who Needs Cocktail Photography?
4. A Cocktail Photography Gallery
5. How to Stir It Up with Extraordinary Cocktail Photography
For more insights from our experienced photographers and digital marketing team, we invite you to explore our Luxury Brand Photography Guide, our Look at the Art of Restaurant Photography, our Guide to Videography for Luxury Brands, and our Guide to Hotel Social Media Marketing.
Simply contact Alias for more answers or a quote for cocktail photography and/or videography services.
Why Cocktail Photography Is an Art Form
Cocktail photography in its most basic form shares visuals of alcoholic beverages (and mocktails). More than just pretty pictures, however, cocktail photography can be elevated to the next level, becoming a unique art form, through thoughtful composition, angles, lighting, and even post-processing.
With that, skilled cocktail photographers can capture exciting elements, like (and not limited to):
- Sparkling ice cubes
- Condensation on glasses
- The exquisite interplay of light through glasses and colored liquid
- The effervescence of Champagnes and fizzy beverages
- The vibrant colors of perfectly mixed ingredients
- The interesting textures of fresh garnishes
These and other artful details in cocktail photos and videos can draw in the eye, invite a lingering glimpse, and start to whet the appetite for a delicious first sip. That can be a powerful way to connect with audiences in and outside of your establishment (as well as those who know and don’t know your brand) while making a lasting impression that keeps them wanting more.
Cocktail Photography: 10 Must-Have Shots
The best cocktail photography isn’t done with a cellphone or on the fly. It takes technical finesse and a keen artistic vision, with a plan for:
The must-have shots
The lenses, angles, and lighting required to capture each shot flawlessly.
While the perfect cocktail photography shot list tends to be brand-specific, here are 10 options that most high-end establishments usually include at photo session time.
1. Signature Cocktail “Hero” Shots
Signature cocktails are the crown jewels of a cocktail menu. Hero shots put full focus on a single drink, emphasizing the standout features of a signature cocktail.
Adding drama while highlighting magnificent details, signature cocktail hero shots can showcase bright colors, intricate garnishes, and beautiful glassware for utterly enticing results.
Lens: A 50mm lens can create an intriguing depth of field, putting the cocktail in sharp focus while softly blurring the background.
Best Angles: Shots that are at eye level or slightly below eye level can imply grandeur, create that “wow” factor, and establish an undeniably impressive presence.
Ideal Lighting: Use a softbox for even lighting. Experiment with backlighting to highlight the drink’s translucency, distinct textures, and nuances of glassware and garnishes.
2. Action Shots
Action shots can capture pouring, shaking, stirring, and bartender-guest interactions involving cocktails. Featuring dynamic moments frozen in time, action cocktail shots can bring the mixology process to life, electrifying the story of a beverage, the experience of enjoying it, and the establishment or brand associated with it.
Lens: A zoom lens (24 to 70mm) can allow for quick adjustments, capturing movements instantaneously. In a matter of seconds, that could potentially yield several incredible action shots.
Best Angles: Side angles and over-the-shoulder close-ups can immerse viewers in the moment, making them feel as though they’re seeing the action in real time.
Ideal Lighting: Use natural or soft studio lighting to capture a split-second action with optimal clarity.
3. Garnish Close-Ups
Cocktail garnish close-ups can put delicate citrus twists, fresh herb sprigs, and dustings of sugar or salt centerstage.
Infusing rich textures into beverage photos, garnish close-ups can speak to the artistry of different cocktails while highlighting sophistication, luxury, and elegance.
All of that can go a long way to defining experiences and brands, crystallizing them as upscale, aspirational, or even accessible but first class.
Lens: A macro lens can capture intricate details with precision.
Best Angles: Overhead and tilted angles can focus on garnishes without overwhelming the frame.
Ideal Lighting: Use diffused natural light or a ring light to bring out subtle textures without casting harsh shadows.
4. Group Shots of Multiple Cocktails
A selection of cocktails can emphasize variety, showing a little something for everyone while suggesting a festive vibe where group orders are welcome.
Often featured on menus and promotional materials, group cocktail shots can spotlight the breadth of a beverage menu and, simultaneously, tell the story of happy hours, VIP tables, special events, and so much more.
Lens: A wide-angle lens (35mm) can capture entire scenes without distortion.
Best Angle: A three-quarter angle can add depth and allow each drink to stand out on its own.
Ideal Lighting: Soft, even lighting can establish consistency across the group. Slight backlighting can create a cohesive glow and chic, warm ambiance.
5. Overhead Flat Lays
Overhead flat lays of cocktails and bar scenes offer a bird’s-eye view, showing off carefully arranged beverages in their surroundings, alongside barware, cocktail shakers, fancy decor, and more.
As another way to tell an exciting story, overhead flat lays can be as visually pleasing as they are informative, organized, and impactful.
Lens: A standard 50mm lens can work well for these shots, offering reliable clarity and realistic proportions.
Best Angle: Direct overhead angles provide a clean, organized look, letting the eye dance across the thoughtfully placed subjects in these photos..
Ideal Lighting: Natural light or a softbox above the setup can evenly light the scene while minimizing obstructive shadows.
6. Lifestyle Shots
Capture the joy of guests savoring cocktails to evoke emotion and connection. Lifestyle shots can focus on an individual with a bartender, a small group of guests, and even larger groups at standard (and special) events.
Lens: A portrait lens (85mm) can highlight cocktails and people holding them while softly blurring the background.
Best Angles: Eye-level angles and slight tilts can infuse a candid, approachable feel that still comes across as professional and sophisticated.
Ideal Lighting: Warm, ambient lighting can be inviting, authentic, and luxurious.
7. Mood-Lit Evening Bar Setups
Show off the drama, atmosphere, and splendor of a scene by photographing cocktails in a dimly lit bar environment.
Providing a fascinating allure that can be packed with opulence, evening bar setups can speak to the promise and excitement of a night on the town, adding a dazzling touch while suggesting VIP experiences just around the corner.
Lens: A prime lens (35mm or 50mm) can capture sharp details even in low light.
Best Angles: Use lower angles that focus on drinks or barscapes while incorporating background actions, decor, and ambiance.
Ideal Lighting: Soft, diffused lighting combined with practical bar lights can put viewers in the scene, establishing authenticity with a touch of charm and romanticism.
8. Ingredient Prep Shots
Putting viewers behind the scenes, ingredient prep shots can pull back the curtains on how complex cocktails are made while showing off fresh ingredients.
Commonly paired with action shots, ingredient prep photos can share a bit of the magic behind popular cocktails, with pictures of slicing, muddling, squeezing, twisting, and more.
Lens: A macro or standard lens can showcase the delectable details of fresh ingredients.
Best Angles: Close-ups and overhead angles tend to be best for highlighting one component, as well as several ingredients in a single shot.
Ideal Lighting: Bright, natural light can ideally feature the prime aspects of various ingredients, like vibrant herbs, juicy citrus, and brilliant drizzles.
9. Glittering Reflections
Use reflective surfaces — like bar surfaces, mirrors, cocktail shakers, and even glassware — to create artistic, layered compositions that add intrigue and depth to cocktail photos.
Glittering reflections can infuse a bit of mystery and thrill into cocktail photography, especially when the reflections play off the lighting in exactly the right way.
Lens: A wide-angle lens can capture drinks and their reflections seamlessly.
Best Angles: A low angle or side angle can naturally incorporate interesting reflections.
Ideal Lighting: Experiment with directional lighting to enhance reflections without creating glare.
10. Artistic Abstract Shots
Beyond realism, abstract shots can center on the ineffable — or the je ne sais quoi — of it all. That can mean playing with lenses, lighting, and angles to capture bubbles, splashes, fire, dry ice smoke effects, and more.
Showing viewers something they may never have seen before, abstract cocktail photos can point to innovation, all-new thrills, and must-have experiences that are’t available anywhere else.
Lens: A macro lens for close-ups or a telephoto lens for splash dynamics can be good starting points for abstract cocktail photography.
Best Angles: Try several angles to see what captures the moment best, based on the effect you’re trying to achieve. While side angles can be good for bubbles, splashes, and fire, low angles may dramatize smoke — and overhead angles may create a novel mystic for larger scenes.
Ideal Lighting: Use dramatic, high-contrast lighting to emphasize movement and texture.
Who Needs Cocktail Photography?
From swanky cocktail bars and chic restaurants to boutique hotels and world-renowned luxury resorts, professional cocktail photography can be essential for several establishments, brands, purposes, and platforms.
Specifically, those who can sharpen their competitive edge with professional cocktail photography include (and are not necessarily limited to):
Bars & Restaurants: Menus and websites can be exponentially more attractive to patrons with cocktail photos that look as good as the beverages taste.
Hotels & Resorts: Showing off signature drinks in an oasis-like setting, like a pool or a chic VIP lounge, can invite guests to experience a venue and all of its lovely offerings in person.
Event Planners: Cocktails at special events and key gatherings can speak to how thoughtful beverage menus can add a special touch to any event.
Beverage Brands: Mixer, mocktail, and alcohol brands can all leverage crisp, artful imagery to launch products, run important campaigns, and define the essence of their brand.
Marketing Agencies: Stellar cocktail visuals can get likes, comments, and shares, elevating brands’ digital presence and exposure while possibly creating enthusiastic fans and loyal followers online.
A Cocktail Photography Gallery
Picture this: glistening glasses, vibrant hues, and a sense of indulgence that leaps off the screen and instantly sparks interest.
At Alias, our cocktail photographers have extensive experience capturing gallery-worthy moments and one-of-a-kind beverage photos that truly highlight the essence of brands. From planning shot lists to photo sessions and final edits, our team can ensure that every image reflects the artistry of the perfect pour, the right vibe, and a truly compelling story.
Check out our gallery below to get a feel for what our cocktail photographers can do.
How to Stir It Up with Extraordinary Cocktail Photography
At Alias, our cocktail photographers have deep experience and unparalleled skills, working with brands nationwide to tell the perfect story through brilliant photos, videos, and more.
With vast expertise in all aspects of cocktail photography, our creative team is exceptionally effective at devising shot lists, planning cocktail photo sessions, post-processing, and what’s next, offering 360° solutions for growth-focused brands.
To find out more or get a quote for our cocktail photography services, contact Alias.
We also encourage you to check out our creative resources below for a taste of what we’ve done for past and current clients — and of what we may be able to do for you.
