Trends drive customer demands. And as a venue manager, it’s up to you to stay ahead of these trends to satisfy customer demands.
One such trend is fruity drinks. Fruity cocktails have been popular for a long time, but there’s more demand for a variety of flavors and drink options than ever before. Try to meet these customer needs to stay competitive as a venue and increase your revenue for long-term success.
Are you still trying to figure out where to start? Look no further. Here are must-have fruity drinks to offer at your bar and an in-depth analysis of why fruity cocktails are necessary for any event venue.
The Popularity of Fruity Drinks in Bars
Fruity cocktails have always been popular bar drinks. Why wouldn’t they be? They’re delicious and offer value for money when comparing alcohol content with items like beer. It’s also easy to turn these cocktails into mocktails, alcohol-free alternatives.
But the craze for new cocktails has only increased in recent years, with the demand for new fruity cocktail ideas skyrocketing among venues. Today, offering an extensive menu of fruity drinks to order at a bar is a must for any venue.
The popularity comes down to two key factors: freshness and diversity.
Fruity drinks are fresh. Their light, refreshing nature often makes them ideal for casual settings, social gatherings, or events like weddings and private parties. This freshness is also on a spectrum. From tart to sweet, attendees can choose a subtle or bold blend that matches their palate.
There are also unlimited drink options, allowing you to cater to a much more diverse cast of guests. Whether it's classic cocktails like Espresso Martinis or newer iterations like Aperol Spritz, these drinks appeal to a wide demographic.
The growing health-conscious crowd also favors cocktails with fresh fruit juices over heavily syrup-based drinks, aligning well with the demand for fresher, lighter cocktail options.
Importance of Offering a Variety of Different Tastes
While classic cocktails should be a mainstay at your venue bar, the increasing customer base for cocktails demands innovation. With more and more attendees drinking cocktails, venue bars need to offer a larger variety of cocktail options for guests to choose from.
By offering a diverse range, you ensure that everyone – whether they prefer something tangy, sweet, or subtly fruity – has an option they’ll enjoy. But a diverse menu doesn’t just satisfy more customers. It also encourages clients to order more drinks in an attempt to sample the available options. It’s a highly effective way of increasing your sales per customer.
By diversifying your fruity cocktail selection, you can cater to various preferences without overcomplicating operations. Combined with event management software like Perfect Venue, you can easily organize orders and keep your menu updated for different types of events.
Not only will this increase customer satisfaction, but it’s guaranteed to improve sales.
The Allure of Fruity Cocktails
The allure of fruity cocktails extends to both customers and venue managers.
Visual Appeal
Fruity cocktails are much more than delicious drinks. They’re also a feast for the eyes, with many iterations offering specific design appeal. For example, Tequila Sunrise mimics a sunrise with the drink ingredients and placement. Customers enjoy the visual of the Grenadine and orange juice mixing, which mimics a sunrise.
It’s also a great marketing strategy to increase online engagement and brand reach. In today’s social media-centric world, bars and venues offering Instagram-worthy and unique drinks are more likely to see increased foot traffic and engagement online.
Wide Demographic Appeal
With so many mixed drink options to choose from, fruity cocktails appear to a wide demographic. They’re a great option if your venue is trying to increase bar sales and revenue, or broaden your target market.
Fruity cocktails in particular offer diverse appeal. Not everyone enjoys the taste of strong alcohol, and traditional cocktails can often seem intimidating to the uninitiated. Fruity drinks, however, offer a more approachable choice for guests who prefer something sweeter, lighter, or more refreshing.
Highly Profitable
Another benefit of fruity cocktails is their potential for high profitability. These drinks typically rely on fruit juices, flavored syrups, and simple spirits, which are relatively inexpensive compared to other high-end cocktail ingredients.
You can craft visually stunning, delicious drinks without the need for premium liquors or elaborate preparations. This will keep your costs low while maintaining a high perceived value. You can also source seasonal ingredients like fruits locally, further lowering your expenses while selling fresh, high-quality cocktails.
Improved Customer Experience
A fruity cocktail is more than just a drink. They’re a whole experience, with visual appeal, and delicious, fresh flavors. It’s a moment of indulgence, which your attendees can freely enjoy.
This can transform a simple night out into a memorable occasion. Venues that focus on crafting unique, exciting cocktails can create a sense of exclusivity and novelty, turning casual visitors into loyal customers.
Essential Ingredients for Fruity Drinks
As the name suggests, fruity drinks rely on fruits. Specifically, fresh fruits and fruit juices. Syrups are another popular ingredient to up the sweetness factor. Today, many bars opt for agave or stevia sweeteners that are more health-conscious. It also allows more people, like people who have sugar intolerances, to enjoy the drinks.
As for fruits or fruit juices, popular options include, amongst others, lime and lemon juice, cranberry juice, strawberries, and mint leaves. Fresh grapefruit juice is also popular, but mostly among bargoers who appreciate more bitter fruity drinks.
As for mixers and alcohol, popular options include options like club soda, iced tea, white rum, triple sec, and vodka. The list goes on and on.
Whatever you serve, make sure your fruits are always fresh and that the juices are 100% fruit juice. By upping the quality of your ingredients, you up the taste factor and the value of the drinks.
15 Fruity Drinks to Offer at Your Bar
1. Strawberry Daiquiri
A frozen favorite using sweet strawberries, Strawberry Daquirries are a delicious combination of rum, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. Garnished with a strawberry slice, this cocktail is both refreshing and visually appealing. It’s the perfect cocktail for cooling off after a hot day and appeals to a large demographic of drinkers.
2. Piña Colada
Rich, creamy, and tropical, this drink mixes rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. Serve with a pineapple slice and a cherry for that vacation-vibe aesthetic. Another classic, the Piña Colada has a lot of fans because of its refreshing visuals and flavors.
3. Mango Margarita
A twist on the classic margarita, this fruity version uses fresh mango puree, tequila, and lime juice. The tangy mango pairs beautifully with a salted rim. Its vibrant color and tropical flavors make it a crowd-pleaser, offering a sweet escape with every sip.
4. Blueberry Mojito
A unique take on the traditional mojito, this version features blueberries muddled with mint, lime, and rum. The addition of blueberries adds a burst of sweetness and color to the original Mojito formula, leaving you with a refreshing and eye-catching drink.
5. Passion Fruit Martini
Tangy passion fruit meets the sophistication of vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup. Served with a fresh passion fruit garnish, this drink stands out on any cocktail list. Its exotic flavor profile brings a taste of the tropics, making it a great choice for more romantic events.
6. Watermelon Fizz
This light cocktail uses fresh watermelon juice, vodka, and soda water for a refreshing and bubbly drink perfect for summer. Garnish with a mint leaf to elevate its look. Its crisp, hydrating qualities make it the ultimate thirst-quencher during warm weather, appealing to health-conscious customers.
7. Peach Bellini
A bubbly cocktail made with peach puree and prosecco, perfect for brunch or special occasions. Light and sweet, it’s a great alternative to the traditional mimosa. The Bellini’s elegance and fruity flavor make it a top choice for celebrations and festive gatherings.
8. Raspberry Lemonade Punch
Combining vodka, fresh raspberries, and lemonade, this punch is perfect for large gatherings and events. It’s light, fruity, and easy to prepare in bulk. Its bright, berry-forward taste makes it ideal for summertime parties or more relaxed events.
9. Cucumber Melon Cooler
A refreshing, low-calorie option mixing cucumber, honeydew melon, vodka, and a splash of soda water. It’s ideal for customers looking for something fresh and light. This is the perfect slow-sipping drink. It’s also a great option for health-conscious consumers who love a unique flavor profile.
10. Pineapple Mojito
A tropical twist on the classic mojito, this drink adds pineapple juice to the mix of rum, mint, and lime. It’s a great balance of sweet and refreshing. Again, it’s a great spin on the classic mojito, offering a delicious array of flavors with every sip.
11. Tropical Sangria
A fruity spin on traditional sangria, featuring a mix of white wine, mango, pineapple, and orange slices. It’s a perfect drink for warm-weather events or outdoor seating areas. It’s a vibrant drink, both visually and on the palate, making it ideal for social events.
12. Dragon Fruit Margarita
A visually stunning cocktail made with dragon fruit puree, tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. Its vibrant pink color is a guaranteed attention-grabber. The exotic taste and striking appearance make this margarita a conversation starter and an Instagram-worthy drink.
13. Coconut Mango Rum Punch
A rich, tropical drink mixing coconut rum, mango juice, and a touch of pineapple. Garnished with a mango slice, this drink is smooth and indulgent. The creamy coconut perfectly complements the sweet mango, creating an irresistible flavor everyone will enjoy.
14. Kiwi Collins
A refreshing blend of gin, kiwi, lime juice, and soda water. Its tart yet sweet profile makes it a refreshing option for customers seeking something unique. This cocktail’s green hue and distinct kiwi flavor make it an eye-catching, trendy choice. Bargoers are sure to snap a pic or two to share on social media.
15. Berry Moscow Mule
A twist on the classic Moscow Mule, this version adds muddled berries to the usual vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice combination. Add a sprig of mint to spruce up the visuals of the cocktail. The berries bring a natural sweetness and vibrant color, making it a fruity, refreshing take on a beloved classic.
Conclusion
Fruity drinks are extremely popular bar drinks, especially at events. As a venue manager, fruity drinks are an excellent opportunity to attract a broad range of customers while keeping your bar menu fresh and engaging.
It benefits both the customer and your business, with high profit margins, visual appeal for social presence, and overall improved customer satisfaction.
Organize your seasonal and themed events with Perfect Venue event management software and partner your clients with a cocktail menu that matches. Get in touch and start your 14-day free trial today!
