Mixed drinks have become an important part of the hospitality sector. They offer a combination of freshness and different flavors, which can be used to complement various dishes. Cocktails are the most popular mixed drinks in bars and restaurants. However, customers might want to enjoy a refreshing non-alcoholic mixed drink. That’s what sprang an entire subcategory of mixed drinks – mocktails. These beverages possess the characteristics of cocktails. They blend different flavors and ingredients to achieve a combination of freshness, elegant appearance, and taste complexity. In this post, we’ll share more about the role of mocktails in hospitality businesses and give you a few ideas for non-alcoholic mixed drinks to add to your beverage menu. If you operate a hospitality business, our posts on calculating the profit margin on cocktails and how to manage bar inventory can also help you.
Key takeaway: Mocktails are mixed drinks that are similar to cocktails but contain no alcohol. They are often found on cocktail menus of establishments. Mocktails have become very popular among customers, and a growing number of hospitality businesses offer such mixed drinks.
What Is a Mocktail
Mocktails are non-alcoholic mixed drinks that have similar flavors and appearance to cocktails. The word combines “mock” and “cocktail”. There are other words that are used to describe these non-alcoholic drinks. Virgin cocktails and zero-proof mixed drinks are other terms used to describe mocktails.
Non-alcoholic mixed drinks have become very popular in recent years. They are an excellent choice for designated drivers or health-conscious consumers. Furthermore, people who wish to avoid alcohol for cultural or personal reasons can still experience the freshness of mixed drinks thanks to mocktails. Like with cocktails, the main ingredients used to mix mocktails are juices, syrups, sparkling water (or another type of soft drink), non-alcoholic bitters, and herbs.
Popularity of Mocktails
There are multiple reasons why non-alcoholic mixed drinks have become very popular in recent years. Here are a few.
- Mocktails follow the health and wellness trend that can be seen in other categories of the food and beverage industry.
- Mocktails are just as enjoyable as cocktails without alcohol’s intoxicating side effects.
- Mixed drinks increase bar profitability as they often have the highest profit markup compared to other items in the beverage menu.
- Mocktails can be a popular beverage choice for various occasions – picnics, parties, casual dinners, and more.
- Manufacturers have introduced ready-to-drink mocktails that are sold in retail stores. This has also helped the popularity of zero-proof mixed drinks.
Mocktail Ideas for Mixed Drinks Menu
If you operate a restaurant business and wish to create a cocktail menu, adding mocktails is a must. These non-alcoholic mixed drinks are the go-to choice for drivers or people who wish to enjoy a cocktail without being intoxicated. Alternatively, some businesses in the restaurant industry also allow clients to customize regular cocktails and order non-alcoholic versions of them. Here are a few mocktail ideas to add to your menu.
- Virgin Mojito (Nojito) is a citrusy and refreshing beverage for any time of the day. It’s commonly associated with a relaxed setting and summer months. There are other versions with cucumber, raspberries, or other seasonal products.
- Shirley Temple combines the crisp flavor of ginger ale, the acidity of lemon soda, and the sweetness of grenadine and maraschino cherries.
- Citrus Spritz is a non-alcoholic alternative to the classic Aperol Spritz.
- Virgin Mary is among the most popular savory mocktails. Its boldness makes it a great pairing for many dishes. Read more about cocktail and food pairing.
- Virgin Margarita is another classic cocktail that has a popular mocktail version. In this variety, tequila and triple sec are replaced with agave nectar.
- Espresso Tonic is a bittersweet and caffeine-rich mocktail that combines cold-brew espresso and tonic water.
- Tropical Fizz combines mango puree, pineapple juice, lime, and ginger beer to give an exotic taste and bubbly texture.
- Cucumber-mint mocktail. During hot summer days, a non-alcoholic mixed drink that combines cucumber, mint, lime, syrup, and soda can be an excellent refreshment.
As you can see, the most popular mocktails are non-alcoholic versions of classic cocktails. Combining classical flavor combinations with craft mixed drinks can help restaurant managers promote their cocktail menu. Make sure to also use QR codes for restaurant menus to make the menu design process easy and adaptable.
Other Non-Alcoholic Mixed Drinks
Although mocktails have become very popular in recent years, there are other non-alcoholic mixed drinks that businesses in the hospitality niche market can offer. Fresh juice blends are a great example. Combining blended vegetables like beet, cucumber, and carrots with fresh fruits like apple, pineapple, or orange can result in a refreshing and healthy beverage.
Smoothies and milkshakes are also non-alcoholic mixed drinks that don’t fall under the mocktail category. In addition to fruits and vegetables, smoothie recipes also include yogurt, protein powder, nut butter, or other ingredients. They are a popular product in health bars or cafe menus. On the other hand, milkshakes are a dessert-style mixed drink that is associated with family-oriented menus. Business owners who wish to make their establishments more family-friendly can add milkshakes to their menus. Read other ideas about restaurant customer acquisition.
Lemonades are also classic non-alcoholic mixed drinks. They combine juice (traditionally from citrus fruits), water, and a sweetener. In recent years, craft and unorthodox lemonades like lavender lemonade or jalapeno limeade have become trendy. Iced teas and coffee-based mixed drinks are also popular choices for many customers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mocktails
Want to know more about mocktails or other aspects of the hospitality sector? Below, you’ll find the answers to common questions regarding non-alcoholic mixed drinks. Make sure to also read our posts on topics like restaurant marketing, how to open a bar, and restaurant technology trends.
What Are Examples of Healthy Mocktails?
Healthy mocktails are mixed drinks that use little to no added sweeteners and combine healthy ingredients to achieve freshness. These beverages are usually low in calories and can be a great option for people with dietary restrictions. Here are a few examples.
- Cucumber-Mint Sparkler contains cucumber slices, mint, lime juice, and soda water.
- Beet & Berry mocktails can come in multiple flavors. They combine beet juice, berry puree, lemon juice, and soda.
- Matcha Mojito is rich in antioxidants and good for the metabolism. It can also be a natural source of energy due to its caffeine content.
- A Chia Berry Lemonade can be a great source of fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, and freshness.
What Are the Trends in Mocktails?
Health consciousness is among the main trends in mixed drinks. A growing number of customers look for low-calorie and healthy items when going through a cocktail menu. Craft cocktails and non-alcoholic mocktails are also an important trend in this sector. As customers often wish to try new flavors and ingredient combinations, coming up with new mixed drinks can be used as marketing for bars or other hospitality businesses. A lot of people order mixed drinks for the experience. Instagram-worthy drinks with unique glassware, flames, smoke, or bubbles can further help with marketing and customer retention.
What Is the Role of Mocktails in Hospitality?
Non-alcoholic drinks have always been an integral part of the beverage menu. In recent years, a growing number of customers prefer mixed drinks over wine, spirits, beer, or soft drinks. Mocktails are an excellent option for these clients. Furthermore, since mixed drinks have a higher markup compared to other beverages, businesses in the hospitality industry can improve their profitability by offering more cocktails and mocktails. The trendiness of non-alcoholic mixed drinks makes them must-have items on the menus of bars, restaurants, and other establishments.
BlueCart: Software for Bar Inventory Management and Vendor Management
Hospitality establishments that offer mocktails and cocktails can benefit greatly from our platform’s features. Thanks to its tools, businesses can calculate the profitability of different menu items and see ways to improve efficiency. In addition to its functionalities as a food and beverage inventory software, BlueCart can also help restaurants and other establishments find suppliers and manage vendors. Sign up for BlueCart today and see how our platform can help your hospitality business. If you operate a distribution business and wish to increase your wholesale sales while automating various processes, schedule a demo and see why BlueCart is the SaaS solution your business needs.