Tips for Integrating New Drinks into a Bar Menu

When running a bar, it's important to ensure that perennial favorites are always available. From Long Island iced teas to rum-and-cokes, it pays to give customers what they want. At the same time, you don't want your drink menu to become stagnant. From time to time, it's smart to introduce new drinks into a bar menu.

The question, though, is how to do so effectively, efficiently and profitably? A few tips to keep in mind include:

Stay on Top of Current Trends - This doesn't always have to be true, but you'll mostly want whichever new drinks you offer to be informed by current fads and trends. When people hear that you're serving drinks that are inspired by local, on-site, organic ingredients, for instance, your new offerings are far more likely to be met with enthusiasm. They might even help generate buzz for your establishment, and what could be better than that? Don't just look for drink-related fads, either. If there's a summer blockbuster that's on everyone's lips, for instance, try coming up with new drinks that relate to it in some way.

Consider Customer Feedback - From time to time, check in with your bartenders to see what people are saying about the drink selection. There are sure to be at least a few comments or criticisms that pop up again and again. Perhaps a regular is disappointed that you don't offer his favorite martini, for instance, or maybe another customer has expressed interest in a particular craft beer that you've never carried. By introducing items that people have been clamoring for, you're more likely to hit the ground running with your new drinks.

Generate Excitement with Pairings - A great way to raise awareness about new drinks is by creating food-drink pairings and having the wait staff promote them. Of course, this only works if you run a restaurant and bar that can accommodate food and drink pairings.

Keep the Season in Mind - A new season is a great time to introduce new drinks. For example, when summer rolls around, look for fresh, light, fruity drinks to add to the menu. There are summer beers and winter beers too, and it's easier to promote them when the timing is right.

Have Your Staff Promote New Drinks - Finally, train your bartenders and wait staff to promote new drinks. Ideally, they should be able to sample the drinks themselves so they can offer first-hand, authentic descriptions to customers.

In addition to these tips, make sure you have the supplies you need to make and serve your new drinks correctly. Need a new utensil to get the job done? Check out our store for great deals on bar supplies! Once you’ve decided on new drinks for your menu, be sure to train your bartenders to ensure that they make spectacular drink creations every time. With these points in mind, integrating new drinks into your bar menu should be a snap!

Do you have any sure-fire tips for adding new drinks to your menu? Let us know in the comments below!

Equipment for Summer Desserts

Is there any better way to celebrate summer than with delicious desserts? Of course there isn’t. If you’re looking for ways to add a little bit of summer flair to your menu without completely revamping your offerings, dessert is the best place to start.

Consider tempting your patrons with delicious ice cream treats, whether those treats are homemade or the novelties they’ve loved since they were kids. Making artisinal ice cream has never been easier, and it’s a great way to make a great impression with your customers. For serving ice cream, you’ll need a strong ice cream spade, like this one from Winco, that can stand up to repeated use, because you’ll definitely get a lot of orders for ice cream during the summer heat. Ice cream novelties also make an exciting treat and require hardly any of your staff’s valuable time. Store the novelties in an ice cream merchandiser so your patrons can easily find their favorite treat.

Pie is another classic summer treat that could be a fun addition to your menu. Offering a rotating selection of pies might bring your customers in more often so they can try them all. With this Winco Pie Marker, you can take the guesswork out of cutting pie, too. Just use it to mark the pie, and you’ll have seven equally sized pieces ready to plate.

For patrons looking to indulge in a healthier way, there’s no better dessert than seasonal fruits. Serving a bowl of pre-cut, in-season fruits can be an excellent way to top off a delicious meal. Make cutting your fruit offerings quick with a fruit wedger from Vollrath so you can get dessert out to your customers as quickly as possible.

What are your favorite desserts to serve during the summer? Let us know in the comments below!