# Bug Dessert Cocktail Nights This Valentine's Day Event in Japan Featured Insect Snacks and Drinks By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2017-02-27 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cocktail-night References: [japantoday](https://www.japantoday.com/category/food/view/japanese-celebrate-valentines-day-with-insect-sweets) To celebrate Valentine's Day at Duranbar in Tokyo, Japan university student Yuta Shinohara organized a cocktail night centered on a menu that incorporated bugs into the recipes. The unusual [Valentine's Day event](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valentines-delights-box) consisted of a menu that included a cranberry and water bug cocktail as well as a caramelized worms with almonds and cashews snack. Some of the other desserts that were present were topped with whipped cream that was created from the fluids of giant Thai water bugs that is renowned for having a sweet taste. The [Valentine's Day cocktail night](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tipsy-cupid) offered visitors an unexpected experience for the love-centric holiday that also helped to draw attention to the great ways that insects can be incorporated into recipes for a sustainable protein alternative. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Insect-based Cuisine:** The trend for cooking with insects as a sustainable protein alternative is on the rise, providing opportunities for developing new insect-based food products and alternative protein sources for the food industry. - **Alternative Mixology:** Mixologists are exploring new ingredients and flavors, including insects, to create unique and innovative cocktails for enhanced customer experiences, opening up opportunities for the beverage industry to introduce new products and flavors into the market. - **Sustainable Food Practices:** There is a growing trend towards sustainable food practices, encouraging the food industry to explore alternative protein sources and innovative ways to incorporate them into food products in response to consumer demand for sustainable food options. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Food:** The food industry can benefit from the trend towards insect-based cuisine and sustainable food practices by developing new insect-based food products and exploring alternative protein sources. - **Beverage:** The beverage industry can benefit from the alternative mixology trend by creating unique and innovative cocktails using new ingredients like insects to enhance customer experiences and introduce new products and flavors into the market. - **Event Planning:** Event planners and organizers can capitalize on the trend for insect-based cuisine and alternative mixology by incorporating these unique and innovative food and drink options into their menus, providing their customers with an unexpected and memorable experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Edible Insect Lollipops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pest-infested-pops.md) - [Colorful Romantic Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chotto-matte-valentines-day.md) - [Romantic Jellyfish Feasts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jellyfish-feast.md) - [Spiteful Scorpion Valentine's Gifts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scorpion-valentines-gifts.md) - [Dumpling-Inspired Valentine’s Day Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/romantic-experience.md) - [Romantic Japanese Snack Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valentines-daythemed1.md) - [Valentine’s Day Dinner Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-shack.md) - [Anti-Valentine's Dinner Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sour-hearts-social-club.md) - [Insect-Based Inflight Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zipair.md)