Harness the selling power of fun mocktails.
Call it a cooler, colada, spritzer, blitz, julep or non-tini, the “mocktail,” a category of non-alcoholic cocktails bursting with flavor and menu distinction, is shaking things up in the industry. Here’s something you probably already know, but bears repeating: When dining away from home at full-service or fast-food restaurants, consumers order non-alcoholic beverages 72% of the time.¹ With numbers like that, a dynamic beverage program makes dollars and sense. According to Mintel Menu Insights, soda still has a stronghold on the largest percentage of those sales, but is “on the ropes.” What’s striking the soda juggernaut? Coffee and tea beverages are making the biggest dent, but non-alcoholic cocktails are forging inroads, too. Indeed, frozen mocktails show the highest-percentage growth in quick-serve, with a 14% growth from Q1 2008 to Q1 2009.²
Mocktails offer operators a fantastic innovation platform, where concoctions can become signature with enticing names and fresh ingredient combinations. The hook, beyond flavor and eye appeal, is that mocktails give diners a grown-up alternative to alcoholic drinks. Mintel Menu Insights clocks menu mentions of mocktails as doubling since 2006.
Beyond Virgin Daiquiris
The traditional way of labeling a non-alcoholic cocktail informs diners of what is devoid in their beverage—virgin anything implies a lack of alcohol. Today’s diners want to know what’s in their drink—what makes it special. They look to the mocktail for a carefully crafted drink bursting with refreshing flavors.
Convey the wonderfulness of the beverage with an alluring name, great flavor and a flourish-of-a-garnish that punctuates the drink’s special-occasion sensibility.
Why Add Mocktails to Your Beverage Lineup?
- They offer appeal of a blended drink without the alcohol
- They serve as a way to promote local, seasonal fruit
- With greater perceived value than fountain drinks, mocktails can command a higher price and increase your profits
- Less expensive than cocktails, they give diners an affordable alternative
How Crystal Light Can Help
- Crystal Light helps operators satisfy consumer demand for sugar free, low-calorie beverage options
- Crystal Light Wild Strawberry-Energy answers the growing demand for energy drinks
- Crystal Light offers on-trend flavors like Peach Mango Green Tea, Strawberry Kiwi and Raspberry Ice
Powdered Soft Drinks (PSDs) have a relatively low cost per ounces for operators when compared to other beverage formats- PSDs have relatively little packaging waste and promote the use of reusable glasses and cups
Fabulous Mocktails from Crystal Light
Raspberry Mojito
Ingredients: Crystal Light Raspberry Ice Low Calorie Drink Mix, fresh mint, lime juice, seltzer
Selling advantage: Ride the mojito’s red-hot wave, bringing the fresh, cool flavors of mint and lime to a wonderful non-alcoholic recipe.
Strawberry-Peach Slush
Ingredients: Crystal Light Lemonade Low Calorie Drink Mix, fresh mint, fresh strawberries, frozen sliced peaches, lemon juice
Selling advantage: Fresh fruit add a wholesome quality to the drink.
Lemon Appletini
Ingredients: Crystal Light Lemonade Low Calorie Drink Mix, apple juice, club soda
Selling advantage: Claim the ‘tini as your own! Easy to execute, this mocktail refreshes with three simple ingredients.
Gingered Strawberry Mojito
Ingredients: Crystal Light Lemonade Low Calorie Drink Mix, sugar-free ginger ale, puréed strawberries, fresh gingerroot, fresh mint
Selling advantage: Borrowing fresh mint from the hugely popular mojito, this non-alcoholic drink is refreshing and low-calorie/zero fat.
Raspberry-Mint Sparkler
Ingredients: Crystal Light Raspberry Ice Low Calorie Drink Mix, fresh mint, sugar-free lemon-lime soda, fresh lime juice
Selling advantage: Perfect as a refreshing alternative to iced tea, fresh mint infuses this delicious low-calorie/zero fat mocktail.
¹ Restaurants & Institutions 2009 Beverage Census Survey
² The Beverage Buzz: Trends in Nonalcoholic Beverages, Mintel, April 2009