Mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages are growing in
popularity throughout the years amongst Millennials and Gen-Zers. “59% of
millennials cite avoiding loss of control as the primary motivation for
limiting alcohol consumption on a night-out.”1
According to research studies conducted by FiorMarkets,
non-alcoholic drinks are expected to grow eight percent per year across the
globe through 2028.2
Moreover, the trend of non-alcoholic beverages are expected to continuously
grow, especially in countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan, and
Brazil.3 In addition, around 33% of Americans do not drink alcohol.4
This means “one out of every three guests at your home, your restaurant or your
bar may be searching for a “zero proof” option.”5 However, this does not mean that your menu must have boring
drinks and random juice items. Mocktails are a good and creative way to still
add to the vibe of your restaurant or bar by mimicking the classic cocktails
already on your menu, or you can add a different creative twist. Furthermore, “as many people have chosen to abstain from
alcohol for one reason or another, restaurants and bars have quickly realized that
expertly-crafted mocktails are a perfect way to keep from excluding these
people in a group full of drinkers.”6
The
advantages of adding mocktails to your menu
There are advantages to adding non-alcoholic beverages to
your restaurant or bar’s menu. As said before, there is a growing number of
people who are becoming more health-conscious, so providing alcohol-free
beverages increases the likelihood of those consumers visiting again because
offering these different beverage choices creates a more inclusive environment
in your restaurant or bar.
Expanding your mocktail menu also increases revenue in your
restaurant or bar. Mocktails can carry a higher price tag than the regular
sodas or juices offered in most restaurants due to them being considered
“specialty drinks.”7 Mocktails limit waste in restaurants as well because you can
use the ingredients you already have on hand such as mint, club soda, ginger
beer, simple syrups, etc. Furthermore, mocktails can still pair well with your menu
items if done correctly. You can simply stick to the classics, just avoid the
alcohol, and substitute it with options such as ginger beer, club soda, or
sparkling water. Being creative can change the game for mocktails
and can allow you to become well-known for that specific drink in your
restaurant alone.
Popular ingredients
and equipment to use
Ingredients
The benefits of mocktails are that you do not need to buy
any unnecessary ingredients or tools. Many of these items are things that you
may already have in your bar or restaurant due to the simplicity of them.
Simple syrups are the basic formula for most cocktails and
mocktails. Over 50% of mocktail recipes will use simple syrups or fruit syrups
in their recipes.8
To save money on getting this ingredient, you can make your own.
Mixers are also popular for non-alcoholic beverages. Club
soda, tonic water, ginger ale, and ginger beer are great alternatives when
opting out alcohol from the classic drinks like margaritas and martinis.
Any fruit juice is handy to have when making these mocktail
drinks. Most mocktails are just a spin on classic cocktails, so ingredients
will be available when creating recipes in your restaurant or bar.
Bar Tools
The supplies you will need are simple, and if you already
have alcoholic beverages or a bar in your restaurant, then you do not need to
worry about getting much else. It is advisable that you separate the things you use for
your alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks, and if you wish to have
separate equipment.
Water sparklers can be useful if you do not want to spend a
lot on buying sparkling water for your non-alcoholic beverages. The machines
are costly, but they can save your restaurant money on supplies in the future.
Like with any mixed drink, it is essential to have cocktail
shakers on hand. Cocktail shakers make it easier for bartenders to mix and
combine ingredients together rather than worrying about stirring it.
Conclusion
Overall, mocktails can help boost your restaurant or bar’s
revenue, increase consumer traffic, gain recognition in the community you are
in, and create a more inclusive environment for your customers. Having options
available is crucial to meeting the demands of today’s consumers.
