TRENDS Bar

Ashley Mayfield Business Development Manager

An area of your operation to pay particular attention to in 2023 is your bar. The bar is oftentimes an overlooked part of an operation. It’s a gimmie that costumers will order the “normal” offerings but how do you best increase revenue in this area?

The bar trends for 2023 are interesting to me. Consumers are asking for healthier options and demanding local flavors. Mocktails and zero-proof drinks are on the rise and premium mixers are at the top of the ask list for customers. Consumers are also asking for comeback classics.

Customers want products that taste good, quench their thirst, support their health goals, fit their lifestyles, provide meaningful experiences, and align with their values. Reports show that sales of non-alcoholic beverages increased 33% for a total of $331 million in 2021. If you have not considered offering a healthier alternative to alcohol, consider adding kombucha or plant based waters to your menu offering.

PFS Atlanta Recommended Items:

PFS ITEM #775863 12 12 OZ KOE KOMBvBEV KOMBUCHA BLUBRY GINGER

PFS ITEM #784587 12 12 OZ

PFS ITEM #786104 12 12 OZ

PFS ITEM #786261 12 12 OZ

KOMBUCHAvWATER SELTZER GRAPEFRUIT

KOMBUCHAvWATER SELTZER GINGER

KOMBUCHAvWATER SELTZER CUCUMBER

If you are not offering a mocktail menu, I would ask that you consider offering a few of these options on your beverage menu. Mocktails are increasing in popularity, even so much so that zero-alcohol bars are opening doors across the country. The margins for these beverages are attractive since you can use more cost-effective ingredients and still charge a premium like you would in a traditional cocktail.

A great nonalcoholic beverage to offer is the Michelagua. This has had a surge in web-searches and expected to grow in popularity this year. The Michelugua is a fun, non-alcoholic beverage using agua fresca in place of beer.

Michelugua

Ingredients

• Mango

• Crushed ice

• Watermelon Juice

• Simple Syrup

• Lime Juice

• Agua Fresca of your choice

Directions

In the pint glass, alternate ½ of the diced mango and crushed ice, until the glass is halfway full. Add watermelon juice, simple syrup, and lime juice to the glass and stir to combine. Top the michelagua with more crushed ice and your agua fresca.

PFS Recommended Items

PFS ITEM #591913 12/32OZ MANGO LIME AGUA FRESCA

PFS ITEM #557473 12/32OZ STRAWBERRY HIBISCUS AGUA FRESCA

There is a huge resurgence of classic cocktails. People are asking for the nostalgic beverages and similar to fashion alcoholic beverages are cyclical. I would suggest sticking with the easier of the retro beverages like an old fashioned or mojito. These take less labor to execute but still gives you an edge on serving the classics and this is a great area to add your own twist by offering local flavors or infusing your own syrups to create your own unique flavor.

PFS Recommended Items

PFS ITEM #855540 1 1 LB PEAK MINT FRSH

PFS ITEM #855531 1 1 LB PEAK ROSEMARY FRSH

PFS ITEM #483035 1 40 LB PEAK LEMON FCY 165 CT

PFS ITEM #493511 1 40 LB PEAK ORANGE FCY 138 CT

PFS ITEM #905619 4 1 GA ROLAND OLIVE GRN QUEEN PITTED