It’s no secret that bars, restaurants, and other hospitality venues have been using pre-mixed solutions to create cocktails and other drinks for around two decades now. As cocktails and more complex drinks have become more in demand on the UK high street, operators have increasingly turned to time-savers in order to serve more customers and reduce bar wait times. 

However this comes with its challenges. How do you ensure that speed doesn’t trump quality? And by pre-mixing solutions, what happens when a patron wants something more bespoke to their tastes?

In our series of #BarHacks features we’ll explore ways in which busy bars can strike this balance through innovation in pre-mixed solutions. Let's firstly focus on the benefits of alcohol-free blends:

Alcohol free pre-mixed solutions

Traditionally, pre-mixed cocktail bases include alcohol as part of their blend in the interest of serving speed. Think tequila in a margarita, rum in a daiquiri, and so on. 

Whilst the speed of serve cannot be questioned, the presence of alcohol in these pre-mixed batches have two drawbacks; degradation of flavour and limitations to consumer choice. 

Flavour profile preservation

When alcohol is introduced to predominantly fruit-based blends, over time the flavour profile degrades in quality resulting in an inconsistent serve to the customer. One mai tai might differ to the next depending on how long the pre-mix has been opened. With 92% of UK cocktail bar visitors* (Source: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/report/2023/mixed-drinks-report-2023/) opting for quality over price could leave a very bitter taste. 

Blends made without alcohol negate this issue, preserving shelf life and flavour profile to ensure a consistent pour every time. 

Customer choice

The other consideration is your customer. By including a spirit in your mix this limits their ability to choose a cocktail to their exact tastes and spirit preferences. Again, with a “just add” blend devoid of alcohol this enables the bartender and customer to get creative, which is even more important with the rise of “twisted classics”. 

See our "periodic table" of cocktails to see how this removes barriers to innovation.

Commercial relationships

One further benefit of this is that existing commercial relationships with spirit brands can be maximised. Where a commercial relationship exists, bars can play to this by including those spirits in their creations without being hamstrung by an alcohol infused pre-mix.

Mocktails made easy

Additionally, mocktails are made easy. With the rise of no and low-alcoholic beverages, especially amongst the younger generation, being able to serve a selection of high quality mocktails can provide a competitive advantage over other bars. 

So there you have it. Pre-mixed solutions are key to increased serving speed and reduced bar wait times, but be mindful when thinking about your objectives when selecting the blends that you use. If it's innovative and consistent serves then consider alcohol-free mixes, empowering you to be creative with your bar menu and to get the most out of your commercial relationships. 

You can explore our range here!