# Burger-Infused Cocktails Sunny's Lounge Serves a Bourbon Drink Infused with Smashburgers By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2025-06-09 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-infused-cocktail References: [azcentral](https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/dining/2025/06/05/malevolent-james-sunnys-lounge/84001831007/) & [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DKm8lVrqTCt/?hl=en)  The Malevolent James is a rule-breaking, burger-infused cocktail served at Sunny's Lounge that's full of bold, savory and familiar flavors in a drinkable format. The base of this offbeat cocktail is prepared with Jim Bean bourbon and [Bad Jimmy's triple-stacked smashburgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soul-smash-burgers), which are blended, and then strained for a smooth, flavor-packed result. The rest of the cocktail is prepared with additions like Corazon Añejo, brioche, celery bitters, and a [dill pickle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dill-pickle-bloody-mary), which further enhance the depth and complexity, and it's all served with a side mini malt. [Savory cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/get-the-msg-cocktail) are on the rise as drinkers crave more complex, culinary-inspired flavors, fueling an explosion in cocktail culture that blurs the line between bar and kitchen. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 42% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Savory Cocktails:** Innovative mixologists are crafting savory cocktails that offer complex, culinary-inspired flavor profiles, shifting the traditional perception of cocktails. - **Hybrid Dining Experiences:** As lines blur between food and beverages, hybrid dining offers novel experiences, attracting adventurous consumers eager for unique gustatory experiences. - **Culinary Mixology:** The trend of culinary mixology integrates sophisticated cooking techniques into cocktail preparation, providing unique opportunities to elevate drinks to a gourmet level. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Beverage Industry:** The burgeoning interest in unconventional drinks like burger-infused cocktails presents the beverage industry with avenues to explore savory flavor profiling. - **Hospitality and Leisure:** Restaurants and bars tapping into the unique appeal of savory-infused beverages can redefine fine dining, merging drink expertise with gourmet innovation. - **Culinary Arts:** Incorporating culinary techniques into cocktail creation, the culinary arts industry is positioned to lead the way in developing these avant-garde flavor fusions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Savory Beef Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-savory-project.md) - [Sandwich-Inspired Savory Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ny-bodega-sour.md) - [Savory Culinary Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/two-schmucks.md) - [Slow-Sipping Canned Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-hour-bourbon-smash.md) - [Spicy BBQ Smash Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smashburger-jalapeo-bbq-bacon-stack-smash.md) - [Whisky-Infused Fast Food Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whisky-river-backyard-bbq.md) - [Fried Chicken Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/karaage-cocktail.md) - [Fast Casual Cocktail Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/refreshed-cocktail-menu.md) - [Meaty Fried Pickle Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-pickle-bacon-burger.md)