PERFECTLY SERVED DRINKS

Getting a serve right is essential to maximising sales, generating profit and customer satisfaction. Discover how to achieve perfectly served drinks every time to ensure customers will be back for more and will give you positive recommendations.

5 ingredients to the perfect serve

1. The right glassware

Using the correct glassware is very important. Not only should the glass hold the right amount of spirit, mixer, ice and garnish but the correct glass can contribute to the overall customer experience. Research shows if a drink looks better it tastes better!

It is important that you use cool, dry glasses and handle the glass as little as possible – remember the top two thirds of the glass belong to the customer.

Excite your customers with the right glassware and watch the video below for some more tips:

2. Quality and amount of ice

Using clear, good quality ice is a key ingredient to creating perfectly served drinks. You can use different types of ice e.g. cubed or crushed for different serves and experiences. For long mixed drinks you should fill the glass with ice – the more ice you use the cooler the drink and the less dilution.

Make sure your ice impresses your customer and watch the video below for some more tips:

3. The perfect pour

The best way to ensure accuracy, consistency of drinks, reduce waste and showcase professionalism is by using a jigger to measure your spirit. For long mixed drinks you should pour the spirit over ice and a top tip is to pour in front of your customers with the label of the bottle facing them.

Ready to perfect pouring? Watch the video below for some more pouring tips:

4. Good quality mixers

Good, quality chilled mixers can create exciting flavours, textures and enhance the overall customer experience and boost sales. A good idea is to keep ahead of trends and stock new and emerging soft drink flavours, for example, ginger beers and flavoured tonics. These on-trend mixers allow you to offer your customer something different and make your venue stand out from the competition.

5. Fresh garnish

Presentation can boost sales and give your venue a competitive edge. Quality garnish can add colour, flavour and make your serves extra appealing. An easy rule to go by is to use oranges for orange flavoured drinks, lemons for lemon flavoured drinks and limes for everything else. You could also experiment with peel and other garnishes such as berries and herbs.

Make your serve stand out from the crowd and watch the video below for some tips on mixers and garnish:

Ready to make the perfect serve? Take a look at our wide-ranging recipe database for some inspiration.

LEVEL UP: 3 WAYS TO ELEVATE YOUR SERVE

Upselling

Around a third of customers entering a bar are undecided about what they’re going to order, so your ability to impress and offer expert advice is to key to unlocking potential sales.

A great way to upsell is within the brand using a menu, as most customers choose a premium version of their favourite brand before trying a new one and the menu is a great way to engage with customers.

Want to know more about upselling? Watch the video below for some top tips:

Are you making profitable serves and driving sales in your bar? Find out by using our profitability calculator.

Seasonal serves

A great way to make your venue stand out is through the distinctive serves you offer for different occasions. Seasonal serves can give you that point of difference and an opportunity to engage customers and drive sales by satisfying their desire for treating themselves.

Your seasonal drinks don’t have to be complicated and can be created by simply adding a garnish or extra ingredient. For example you could create summer outdoor serves with crushed ice, winter hot toddies or celebratory festive serves.

Get your serves ready for the next seasonal occasion and watch the video below for some top tips:

Ready to make the perfect seasonal serve? Take a look at our seasonal suggestions for some recipe inspiration.

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