For your restaurant and home, serve drinks for a warm welcome to anyone coming to your space. Offering unique hot beverages other than the standard tea is a way to set yourself apart from others. Especially during the winter, you want to provide as many hot drink options as possible while people are buying them! So, take these recipes and turn them into profits for your business:
Hot Apple Cider: this tart-tasting recipe is bound to be a hit during the coldest days. Heat 4 cups of apple cider in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until it comes to a simmer. Reduce the heat and keep warm for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot with cinnamon sticks and nutmeg.
Even though the holiday season has passed, the season for alcohol consumption is upon us! To make mulled wine, in a large pot, combine two bottles of dry red wine, 1 cup of brandy, ¼ cup honey, and 2 cinnamon sticks. Heat the mixture over low heat for 30 minutes. Strain into glasses and garnish with orange slices or cranberries.
We’ll bet everyone knows someone who hasn’t tried hot-buttered rum! In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter with 1/3 cup packed brown sugar. Add 4-6 ounces of dark rum and warm it through, stirring occasionally. Ladle the mixture into mugs and top with boiling water. Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick or nutmeg.
Eggnog Latte: a classic made into a delicious caffeinated beverage. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 cups of whole milk, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract over medium heat. Whisk the mixture until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into mugs and add a shot of espresso or strong coffee. Top with whipped cream and ground nutmeg for garnish. Making your own eggnog with this recipe is crucial to make this a hand-crafted drink with rich flavor!
Hot Chocolate… who doesn’t know how to make it? If you aren’t buying a pre-made hot chocolate mix, use the following recipe. In a medium saucepan, whisk together 2 cups of milk with 4 ounces of chopped dark chocolate until the chocolate is melted. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring often. Divide into mugs and top with whipped cream and marshmallows.
Gingerbread Latte: In a medium saucepan over low heat, whisk together 2 cups of milk, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, and a pinch of nutmeg until heated through. Divide into mugs and stir in one shot of espresso or strong coffee. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for garnish. Talk about packing flavor into a drink!
Keep the holidays alive with Peppermint Mocha: Combine 2 cups of milk and 4 ounces of chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a medium saucepan. Heat over low heat until the chocolate is melted, stirring often. Add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract and stir until combined. Divide into mugs and add one shot of espresso or strong coffee for each mug. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for garnish.
Last but not least, the Hot Toddy: In a mug, combine 1-2 ounces of whisky, 2 tablespoons honey, and the juice from half a lemon. Top with boiling water and stir until the honey is dissolved. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange or lemon. If your restaurant has a bar, it will surely benefit from this one being added to the menu.
These delicious drinks will surely keep your diners warm this season! Make sure to advertise with signs, table tents, and on menus to let diners know what you’re offering. They’ll surely be inspired by the hand-crafted drinks you promote, especially knowing they’ll be warm after. Also, post on social media about the new drinks you’ll be offering this season! When you show the world your seasonal drink options, you will likely attract customers that weren’t dining with you before!