Obviously, the vast majority of your customers are going to order beer and cocktails at your establishment. However, every great bar and nightclub has a unique menu of signature beverages that don’t contain any alcohol whatsoever. There are a number of reasons that you should do this. But, the most logical reason is to enable sober cab drivers to show up. You want your patrons to be responsible. That means having a designated driver so that they are safe and don’t drive home drunk. So, offering alcohol-free drink options will ensure that it doesn’t seem like a punishment rather, than a duty; that everyone takes turns performing. If all you have is water and soda for the sober drivers to enjoy, it can make their experience less fun. This leads to fewer patrons over time and a smaller profit margin.
Moreover, many bars also serve food during the regular evening hours and have customers that are not old enough to drink. Most bars and nightclubs stop allowing underage patrons at a certain time during the evening. However, there is still a lot of money that can be made by selling them alcohol-free drink options rather than just water or soda. It is also important to remember that crafting a memorable beverage without alcohol is just as difficult and scientific as crafting a regular cocktail. So, the same concepts of Mixology will apply. Here are a few classic drink ideas that you can use as a foundation for your alcohol-free cocktail menu.
Teas
Teas are a very popular choice as a base for non-alcoholic beverages because they are incredibly versatile. Tea offers a perfect canvas for creating unique flavors, and there are several great varieties available to make things even better. Many people think of tea as a hot beverage, but it actually works quite nicely as a chilled beverage too. One of the best ways to make tea taste wonderful is to infuse it with flavors much like you would with alcohol. Consider marinating your tea with raspberries, strawberries, or another type of fruit to make it a delicious alcohol-free option for your guests. Don’t forget to lay a sparkler on top of the cocktail for a completed look!
Lemonades
Lemonade is another great option for alcohol-free cocktails because it is very popular and can be “jazzed up” quite easily by simply adding some other mixers from behind the bar or infusing it with fresh fruit. Additionally, you can use your lemonade concoction as a mixer itself to create alcoholic beverages that your other guests can enjoy as well. Not only will this make for a great non-alcoholic beverage, but you can also incorporate your flavored lemonade into your Mixology.
Sparkling Water
While it may sound really basic, sparkling water can take a very bland creation to a whole new level. Let’s face it; carbonation is just plain fun, so adding a little to an otherwise ordinary drink can really help you improve sales. Even doing something as simple as adding some sparkling water to one of your other beverages can create a unique experience! Sometimes bartenders even splash it in beer to maximize profits. Personally, my favorites are infused tea or lemonade. So, make sure you try everything before you hang up your hat and call it a day. The bottom line is that you should not be afraid to experiment with your non-alcoholic drinks. Do it in the same way you experiment with your other beverages! Trust me; an increase in sales will be your reward.
Is Crafting Alcohol-Free Drink Options Worth the Trouble?
At the end of the day, alcohol-free drink options are an absolute necessity at your bar or nightclub. First off, you enable people to have a sober cab without them feeling like a third wheel. Second, you get to charge more than having the sober person order water or regular soda flavors. Without delicious options for non-drinkers, you can never reach the full potential of your venue. However, if you spend the time to do it right, you can easily see a bump in your profits.
