In the rush to deal with a rapidly evolving marketplace and growing competition, it’s easy to lose sight of beverages. But building a strong, profitable beverage program will pay off, not just in added sales, but also in improved customer satisfaction.
Pay attention to trending specialties and emerging new categories, as well as time-tested favorites. Just like with food, consumers have their favorite go-to beverages but they also like to try new things. With dining patterns changing significantly in the wake of COVID-19, foodservice operators will need to double down on offering unique beverage options, both on-premise and via takeout and delivery.
One new area that’s emerged since the pandemic is beverage kits and bundles. According to Technomic, just as meal kits and family-size bundled meals are proliferating in the at-home occasion market, beverages increasingly are being bundled and packaged as kits, too. Options include smoothie kits, and family meal packs that include a choice of beverage such as strawberry lemonade or sweet tea.
Plant-Based Beverages—Alt-milks like almond, cashew, rice, soy, oat, and hemp milk, as well as products like coconut water, are growing in popularity among vegetarians and dairy-avoiders, as well as trend-conscious Millennials and Zoomers. Making sure plant-based milks and coffee lighteners are available is an especially easy yet effective way to leverage consumer interest.
While craveability is a key attribute for beverages, other important drivers help build appeal for the category too, from health and wellness to quality and unique flavor infusions. Meanwhile, flavors and ingredients are getting downright exciting. In addition to more expected tropical and global influences, some of the hottest food ingredients over the past few years—think ginger, cilantro, shishito peppers, yuzu kosho, gochujang, seaweed, cayenne, and harissa—are finding momentum in adult and specialty nonalcoholic beverages.
Continue reading on the next page for articles, videos, and recipes to help you up your beverage game.
Recipes: Hot Beverage
Chai Coffee Espresso Tiramisu Caramel Chocolate Cappuccino Oatmilk Honey Flat White Decadent Oat Milk Hot Chocolate Chocolate Orange Hot Cocoa Gingerbread Hot Chocolate with Nestlé Rich Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix S'mores Milkshake with Nestlé Rich Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
Recipes: Cold Beverage
Strawberries ‘n Crème Frappe Instant Iced Coffee Irish Crème Green Tea Bubble Tea Hibiscus Passion Tea Sangria Passion Fruit Iced Tea Peach Tea Smoothie Watermelon Mint Lemonade Cocktail Berry Lemonade Breeze
Infographic: Hot Cocoa
Infographic: Botanical Beverages
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Articles
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Build a Better Beverage Program
Going Global? Don’t Forget the Beverages
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