Mixed drinks are among the most popular options in the beverage menu of many hospitality businesses. That鈥檚 because of the wide variety of options when it comes to cocktails and the way these beverages combine different ingredients and flavors. Cocktail and food pairings play an important role in the food and beverage industry. Since mixed drinks are among the highest-margin items on a menu, restaurant businesses have an incentive to promote them. A great way to do so is through offering cocktail and dish bundles, special deals, or training staff members to recommend cocktails that complement the dishes chosen by customers. In this post, we鈥檒l share some popular cocktail and food pairing ideas. We鈥檒l also shed some light on good practices related to selling more mixed drinks and increasing the average order value by offering food and cocktail pairings. Make sure to also check our resources on profit margin on cocktails and .
Key takeaway: Mixed drinks have a very high markup. That鈥檚 why hospitality businesses can benefit a lot from offering cocktail and food pairings. Although mixed drinks are commonly combined with appetizers, they can also be paired with main dishes, desserts, and other meal courses.聽
Popular Cocktails and Food Pairing Ideas
Although a popular way to do is to offer innovative and crafted mixed drinks, classical cocktails are still among the most beloved options. Let鈥檚 examine a few food options that pair well with some of the most popular mixed drinks.
- Margarita. Its citrusy, salty, and tart flavor makes it an ideal drink to combine with shrimp or fish tacos. Chips with guacamole or lime-marinated meats can also be paired with fresh Margaritas.
- Old Fashioned. The richness of this mixed drink makes it an ideal option for various meals. For example, Old Fashioned and grilled steak are an ideal cocktail and food pairing. It goes well with chocolate desserts as well.
- Negroni. Its bitterness and complex herbal taste make the Negroni one of the best pairing options for cured meats, high-fat cheeses, and rich dishes like truffle risotto or pasta.聽
- Mojito. This mixed drink is primarily associated with Cuban culture. That鈥檚 why it can go well with Cuban sandwiches or seafood. Fresh salads or light pasta can also be excellent cocktail and food pairings for a Mojito.
- Pina Colada. The tropical sweetness and creamy texture of this beverage make it a suitable addition to various desserts. It can also be combined with Caribbean barbecue recipes.
- Martini. A dry and crisp Martini combined with smoked salmon or oysters is a great example of a cocktail and food pairing. A Martini can also go well with salty snacks or charcuterie boards.
Tips on How to Pair Cocktails and Food
The popularity of mixed drinks in the restaurant industry can make them a great addition to the beverage menu of hospitality businesses. If you鈥檙e interested in creating or optimizing your cocktail menu, the following tips can help you in that regard.
- Cocktail and food pairings should match in intensity and richness. Light cocktails like Aperol Spritz or Mojito should be combined with salads or light appetizers. On the other hand, steak or other rich dishes can be excellently complemented with a bold cocktail like an Old Fashioned.
- In addition to balancing flavors, don鈥檛 forget to balance the cooling effect of cocktails with the texture and the taste of the dish. For example, a mint-based cocktail like a Mojito or a slightly sweet Pina Colada can be combined with hot and spicy dishes. The cocktail flavor can also be used to refresh the palate and further enhance the customer experience with the dish.
- Although cocktails are a commonly associated beverage pairing with appetizers, mixed drinks can be paired with each course of the meal. A well-thought-out cocktail menu should include mixed drinks that can be paired with salads, starters, main dishes, and desserts. This has the potential to further increase the average order value per customer.
- In addition to cocktail and food pairing, need to optimize their food and beverage menu design. By making the menu easy to use, clients are more likely to enjoy their dining experience. Furthermore, consider offering cocktail and food pairing suggestions in menu item descriptions. Incorporating QR codes for restaurant menus is an easy way to optimize and adapt both food and beverage menus.
- Training waiters to recommend different cocktails based on customer meal preferences is a must for running a successful restaurant. Since mixed drinks have a very high gross profit markup, waiting staff should know the most suitable cocktail and food pairing options. This can help restaurant and bar profitability immensely.
- Cocktail and food pairings can also be used as part of a restaurant鈥檚 marketing efforts. They can be included in marketing content, such as social media posts, or as a way to improve restaurant customer acquisition.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cocktail and Food Pairing
From tips on how to manage bar inventory to advice on how to combat the effects of restaurant inflation, there are plenty of useful resources on 好色TVt鈥檚 website. Check out our answers to questions regarding cocktail and food pairing.
What Other Drinks Are Paired with Food?
Beer, wine, liquor, and mocktails can also be paired with food. Different types of craft beer can complement both casual dishes like fish and chips and high-end appetizers such as oysters. Wine is most commonly associated as a beverage to combine with food. Traditionally, red wine is paired with red meat dishes while white wine is typically combined with chicken, fish, and cheesy meals. When it comes to liquor, lighter spirits like gin and vodka go well with lighter dishes. Rich meals can be combined with bourbon, dark rum, or cognac.
How to Create a Cocktail Menu?
When creating a cocktail menu, various factors need to be considered. The style and the atmosphere of the establishment are the main ones. A mixed drinks menu also needs to combine classical cocktails with craft offerings. Mocktails and mixed drinks for health-conscious customers are among the most popular trends in cocktails. Thus, adding a few non-alcoholic options is crucial.
Once created, cocktail menus of bars and restaurants should be periodically updated. This should be done after analyzing sales and feedback from both staff members and clients. Creative design and intriguing presentation can also boost the customer experience and make cocktails more lucrative options in the beverage menu.
What Are Good Cocktail and Snack Pairings?
The light nature of cocktails makes them an excellent snack pairing option. From simple pickled eggs and olives to charcuterie boards, mixed drinks can be an excellent addition to various types of snack food. They go well with bite-sized appetizers, cheese straws, mini tacos, and various other options. Typically, the choice of cocktail depends on the event setting and the prepared snack. For example, seafood appetizers can be combined with cocktails like Whiskey Sour and French 75. Natural snacks like fruits and berries can be combined with cocktails that have similar fruity flavors.
好色TVt: Calculate Cocktail and Dish Profit Margin
Food service businesses can easily use 好色TVt鈥檚 features for restaurant inventory management, calculating the profitability of different menu items, and finding suppliers. In addition, the Endless Aisle helps restaurants, coffee shops, and other companies to easily order in bulk. If you operate a business in the , make sure to sign up for 好色TVt and benefit from our platform鈥檚 tools for food service businesses. Suppliers can also make their wholesale distribution operations more efficient while simultaneously increasing their wholesale sales. Schedule a demo and see why 好色TVt is among the preferred platforms for B2B businesses.