In the June edition of One for the Road, we asked industry experts to weigh in on trending flavors:
What flavors are you putting on your summer cocktail/food menus?
Sarah Meriam, Chief Operating Officer, Shuckin’ Shack, National
This summer, we're finding that guests want to dive into a wave of refreshing flavors which is how we crafted our most recent creation: the Summer Key Lime Crush Cocktail. We're finding that with summer cocktails, consumers want to indulge in light cocktails that aren't overly sweet but well balanced.
To help transport our customers to a tropical vacation with salt air, toes in the sand, and ocean mists, we're leaning into this trend of keeping things light by pairing the tart zests of fresh key limes with a hint of sweetness and a splash of Sprite to bring an invigorating burst of citrus and capture the perfect beach day in a glass.
Matt Marcus, Executive Chef, the Woodall, Atlanta, Georgia
We're thrilled to unveil our latest offerings to our neighborhood. This iteration of the Woodall menu features beloved classics with a creative twist, alongside seasonal delights. From the freshest seafood to house-cut meats, a variety of new snacks to savor before your main course, and a new list of cocktails, there's something here for everyone. Our culinary journey, inspired by local feedback, celebrates the essence of the season. This summer, our standout trend is botanicals such as lemon balm, marigolds, borage and pineapple sage sourced exclusively from Bremen farms and our partner, Grant Wallace. With a focus on nuanced flavors and true culinary artistry, we can't wait to share this menu with you.
John C. Metz, Executive Chef, CEO and Co-Founder, Marlow's Tavern, Georgia & Florida
We had a lot of fun recently updating our cocktail menu. We focused on what’s in season, fresh and flavorful. New cocktails include our watermelon margarita splash, tropical rum punch and Sallie’s blackberry bramble. We also added a few spirit free beverages including the ginless tonic, phony negroni and orange creamsicle. All our beverages are refreshing and perfect to enjoy during the hot summer months.
Trevor Langer, Beverage Director, Porchlight, New York, NY
This summer I'm very much finding a fun balance of kitschy yet elevated in various ways, like certain ingredients lending themselves to a fun tongue & cheek name like cantaloupe puree in our soon-to-debut Moonshine & Melons cocktail, or using a product that may elicit nostalgia but has been somewhat brushed to the side in recent times like those bright technicolor liqueurs of decades past.
Karl Goranowski, Beverage Director at BATA, Tucson, Arizona
A flavor that is super in demand right now is plum and other stone fruits. We have a new cocktail at barbata called the King Midas that uses Ume Whiskey, Pisco, cherry blossom biters, and an herbal liqueur to really accent the plum flavor.
Patty Dennison, Head Bartender, Grand Army Bar, Brooklyn, New York
We are featuring classic summer flavors like passion fruit and mango, and also leaning in with a chili backbone in cocktails even if it isn't spicy - using the Empirical Ayuuk, Xila and dried ancho chilies throughout the menu. Beyond flavors, we really wanted to focus on the spirits selection for our summer menu this year. Using more agave spirits than we typically would, and if we are using whiskey using an Irish Whiskey or Japanese Whisky that is going to be a little lighter for the hot NYC summer.
Panji Wisrawan, Head Mixologist, Pinstripe Bar in Viceroy Bali, Bali, Indonesia
I’ve noticed several cocktail options that are popular for summer! Firstly, is the frozen cocktail, a great option which offers endless enjoyment beyond just frozen margaritas and daiquiris. Another trend worth noting is carbonated clarified milk punch, where whey and CO2 come together to create a delightful foam and add silkiness to the palate. For the ultimate seasonal indulgence, try a clarified Piña Colada by clarifying the cocktail with coconut milk and topping it off with soda, sparkling wine, or prosecco for an elegant twist. And of course, the Mojito remains a refreshing and effortlessly enjoyable classic.
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