Give Your Summer Menu a Boost with 5 Inspiring Mocktails

Non-alcoholic beverages shouldn’t be an afterthought – these menu items are in demand and easy enough to whip up. But often drink options are overlooked.

It’s surprising that mocktails and other non-alcoholic drink offerings aren’t more prominent on menus, especially when nearly 6 in 10 adult guests “prefer non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks over traditional cocktails.”

Mocktails started popping up on menus around 1865. Known as “Temperance” drinks, they were mixed for those abstaining from alcohol. The term “mocktail” – a cocktail containing no alcohol but all its other signature ingredients – was coined right before prohibition, when alcohol-free drinks became popular.

Although it’s been a while since alcohol was banned, mocktails are still around. In fact, most can be easily made with ingredients that are already laying around, and guests would spend more on these types of beverages if restaurants would give them the chance.

The National Restaurant Association found that 4 in 10 adult guests would order mocktails if they had the opportunity. Because of an increasing demand for these types of drinks, 36% of restaurant operators plan on adding non-alcohol cocktails to their menu in 2024.

Their recent State of the Restaurant Industry report also confirms that 9 in 10 adults love dining out because of the tastes and flavor combinations “they can’t easily experience at home.”

This is where restaurants can step in and create drinks that give guests additional reasons to return.

With a growing trend in non-alcoholic drinks, it’s evident adults are seeking out ways to enjoy themselves without alcohol. Statista Market Insights reveals that the revenue generated from non-alcoholic beverage orders at restaurants and bars rose by more than $18 billion last year. This year, revenue is projected to increase by another $15 billion.

The numbers prove there’s a market for cheaper-to-produce beverages, so why not add zest to your upselling without the added cost of alcohol?

Summer is a great time to make non-alcoholic beverages the star of the show! Get started with these inspiring beverage ideas from Food & Wine Magazine and other industry insiders that utilize ingredients from your bar and kitchen to add sizzle to any menu.

• Frozen Shirley Temple – The Shirley Temple exists sans alcohol as is. But adding a frozen element elevates this classic in both taste and presentation. Sweet and sour elements are intensified when using high-quality maraschino cherries, real grenadine (made from pomegranate juice) and lemon-lime soda. Freeze the liquid in a sheet pan, blend, and voila! It’s a frozen summer crush that surpasses any flavored ice guests find anywhere else.
• Pineapple and Tamarind Cooler – A beautiful blend of tropical fruit, this drink makes guests forget alcohol ever existed in the first place. Chef Gregory Gourdet crafted this beverage with a dash of habanero powder to balance out the sweetness.Tamarind pulp is heated up with water to reduce and create a flavorful water. Combine with maple syrup, blended pineapple, and a salty habanero rim to serve guests a truly unique gem.
• Coffee Espresso Cooler – There are so many ways to serve up America’s favorite beverage. So why do after-dinner offerings feel blah when there are so many ways to deliver a caffeine kick? Consider adding exotic ingredients to concentrated dark roast brew to create a sophisticated beverage. Orange, cardamom, and even floral accents can convince guests to order extra before they pay the bill.
• Strawberry-Chile Balsamic Shrub – Quintessential summer flavors come together in this vibrant cocktail. If you’re not familiar with “shrubs” in the context of food ingredients, they are described by Food & Wine as “vinegar-based syrups infused with fruits, herbs, and sometimes even vegetables” and are sweetened with sugar. Mixologist Jillian Vose created the Strawberry-Chile version using a shrub infused with dried chiles de árbol. Top with strawberries and seltzer over ice.
• Saffron Cordial – There’s not a drop of alcohol in this sunny-looking drink, yet it’s fit for the finest of bars around the world. The ingredients consist of sugar, saffron, ground ginger, lemon, and honey. All come together to form a beverage that guests will happily pay top dollar for. Boil lemon, ginger, and water together while grinding the sugar and saffron separately. Let the liquid stand, stir in honey, and guests can easily sip themselves into summer paradise.