Tag: beverage trends

Beverage Trends to Watch: Innovative Drinks Customers Want Now

Innovative and functional 2019 beverages are in demand

The beverage industry has never been more vibrant, with innovation shaping everything from coffee and tea to functional waters and non-alcoholic cocktails. Today’s consumers want drinks that not only taste amazing but also align with their lifestyles, whether that means a quick grab-and-go cold brew, a health-boosting probiotic soda, or a visually stunning mocktail worth posting online. From adaptogenic tonics to globally inspired flavors, this year’s beverage scene is brimming with opportunities to surprise and delight your customers.

Exciting, New Drinks in Demand

Fresh, flavorful, and functional is the winning formula in today’s beverage market. Customers are drawn to options that deliver more than refreshment, with better-for-you sodas, sparkling botanical blends, and sophisticated zero-proof cocktails leading the pack. Global flavors are making their mark, from tropical fruits like yuzu and soursop to warming spices and floral infusions. Expect to see more crossover between food and drink trends—think desserts reimagined as lattes, spice-infused teas served chilled, or tropical syrups lending flair to craft sodas.
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Non-Alcoholic Drinks Revolution and Evolution

Discover the allure of non-alcoholic zero-proof spirits and how to add to your menu.

The soaring popularity of non-alcoholic drinks continues to revolutionize the brewery world as industry titans, esteemed bars, and well-respected bartenders board the booze-free train. Various formulations of the newcomers include terms such as mocktails, faux spirits, alt-gin, and zero-proof drinks and beverages. Yet while the cocktails might be ‘mock,’ they are bringing in real bucks – and big bucks to boot.

The non-alcoholic (NA) beer industry, in particular, has proliferated with sales expected to surpass $25 billion by 2024, according to research firm Global Market Insights. The year 2019 also witnessed the astronomical rise to success of the first non-alcoholic gin and whisky products from company Ritual Zero Proof. Its six-month startup inventory sold out in a mere six weeks, necessitating a 400% increase in production to meet demand. The company’s success has since garnered the attention of Diaego, the industry giant whose brands include Smirnoff, Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker, and Don Julio. It now has a small ownership stake and major cash investment in the company, enabling Ritual to expand significantly.

Sober Bars

And it’s not just non-alcoholic drinks which are experiencing an upheaval: sober bars, an oxymoron within itself, are popping up nationwide, along with the newly-coined term “sober curious population.” This refers to the growing population who are decreasing or altogether ceasing their alcohol intake and questioning everything about their relationship with alcohol and the societal pressures that have always caused them to consume alcohol.
The bottom line? If you own a bar, or if your restaurant or catering service provides alcohol, your business can no longer afford not to sell mock drinks and zero-proof beverages.

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The Rise of Probiotic Beverages

Discover gut-friendly probiotic drinks and start adding them to your menu.

If you work in the beverage business, it’s time to drink in the latest buzz word in the biz: Probiotics. Whether you are a caterer, restaurant owner, or operate another type of eatery, probiotic drinks are dominating the market. In this update for foodservice pros, we’ll delve into why the fermented products are being included on multiple “top beverage trends for 2019” lists, and why you should be adding them to your menu.

The Dish on Probiotic versus Prebiotic

If you recall, we previously visited the topic of probiotics in our blog “How to Cater for Clients Who Want Gut-Friendly Foods,” where we learned that the body is full of ‘good’ bacteria that serve as digestive aids, that help prevent disease, and that provide a plethora of other health benefits.

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What’s New In Coffee Flavors?

Learn about the best coffee flavors, blends and brews and how to incorporate them into your biz.

Looking for the best coffee flavors around? Since there are literally hundreds of varieties of coffee from around the world and new blends, new combinations, new flavors, and new twists to the traditional being concocted all the time, there is no definitive answer to which cup of java takes the top spot. However, if you work in the food-and-beverage business, one thing is for certain: No matter what type of eatery you work in be it restaurant, catering service, bar, bakery, pizza shop, food truck, or fast-food venue, a cup of coffee is always on the menu!

So, let’s pull back the lid on what’s been brewing in the world of coffee and get a taste for some of today’s most popular picks, including what the experts and java-lovers claim are the best coffee flavors to sample and savor.

All About Coffee

So how much do you really know about coffee? For example, are you and your staff up to speed on the four types of coffee beans and coffee bean roasts? Are you aware that today there are myriads of espresso variations in as many delectable flavors? Do you know how to prepare Turkish coffee and what makes this Middle Eastern beverage such a hit among black coffee lovers?

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New in Smoothies 2019 – Just in Time for Summer

New smoothie ingredients add flavor to foodservice menus this summer.

Smoothie season is here! With summer upon us, now is the perfect time to update your restaurant and foodservice menus and learn all there is to know about what’s new in the smoothie industry. And one thing we know for sure is that the smoothie market is flourishing. With food trend predictions forecasting sunny skies for the future of smoothie sales, what began as an obscure concept and simple fruit juice and ice drink in the 1930s, has become a booming business and a modern-day success story.

Smoothie Expansion

Offering lucrative growth opportunities for industry players, smoothies continue to gain traction and are riding the wave of popularity as:

  • a healthy snack option;
  • bona fide meal or breakfast replacement;
  • an energizing pick-me-upper;
  • a versatile, alluring, fun, and decadent dessert.

Moreover, 2019 smoothies are comprised of an expanding smorgasbord of ingredients. From pureed raw fruit (mango, strawberry, banana, blueberries – to name a few), mixed with crushed ice and sweeteners (honey, sugar, syrup, and stevia) to the addition of vegetables (carrots, spinach, seaweed, and even hot peppers); dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), and non-dairy alternatives (oat, pea, and coconut milks), the selections abound.

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