Seasons change. So do trends, tastes, preferences, and what's hot on TikTok. Coffee isn't going anywhere. You'll always have a devoted customer who walks in a few times a week and orders the same thing. Rain, shine, blizzard, heat wave, whatever. "Double espresso and a pastry, please." But what about everyone else?
In a world of ever-evolving preferences, and with the changing of the seasons, offering more than just the standard coffee drinks is a great way to pad your profit margins and bring new folks in the door.
Liquid concentrates are an easy way to diversify your menu this Fall. They have been growing in popularity among customers for a myriad of reasons. Outside of appealing to your customers' taste buds, there are other key considerations in using liquid concentrates as you prepare for the Autumn rush. In this blog, we'll explore why liquid concentrates are the perfect pick-me-up for your business.
Cost Effectiveness
Liquid concentrates offer several advantages that are friendly to your wallet. And while your customers might not be aware of the cost savings you are enjoying, their palates won’t know the difference. Here are just a few of the key reasons why:
- Less Preparation and Costs: Although there is something novel to crafting your own concentrates, syrups, and refreshers for your drinks, it not only takes a lot of work, but sometimes can be more expensive than buying pre-made liquid concentrates themselves.
- For example, take the ever popular Dona Chai Masala Concentrate. It boasts premium ingredients like cloves, ginger, green cardamom, hibiscus, and more. Buying and sourcing all those ingredients, then making your own concentrate takes time away from other parts of your business, and may end up costing you more in the long run!
- Buying concentrates means you don't have to spend time perfecting your own recipes. Brands like Mountain Cider Company and Lotus Plant Energy have already developed tastes that consumers come back for again and again.
- Ease of storage: Liquid concentrates require limited storage space and have long shelf lives. You can save serious cash when buying in bulk, knowing your concentrates won’t spoil, and save room in your fridge that would otherwise be taken up by perishable ingredients needed to produce your own concentrates.
Seasonal Appeal
As the weather turns colder this Fall, customers seek drinks and food with nostalgic flavors. The leaves change, and we all need a little more cinnamon in our diets. You know this.
Liquid concentrates can help your menu check all the Fall flavor boxes, and Barista Underground is your one-stop shop for all your liquid concentrate needs. Whether it’s the warm, soothing first sip of a chai, turmeric, an apple cider-based specialty drink, or baked goods featuring classic Fall flavors like cinnamon or pumpkin, liquid concentrates will help you save time and wow your customers.
For a full list of Fall-forward liquid concentrates drink and food recipes, check out this recipe post here. Our favorite was the Pumpkin Amaretto Latte. Because of the pumpkin. And the amaretto.
Customization and Creativity
Liquid concentrates open the door to endless customization options. Coffee lovers often appreciate the ability to tailor their drinks to their taste preferences. Offering a variety of spices, syrups, and toppings allows customers to create their own unique concoctions, and because flavor profiles remain consistent with liquid concentrates, your customers will know what to expect in terms of sweetness and spice.
For those looking for something new, you can recommend slight variations or “upgrades” to your standard drinks. Upgrades that can earn you more per transaction, help your shop stand out, and encourage return visitation.
Caffeine-Conscious Consumers
Many of your customers are actively seeking alternatives to coffee or traditional energy drinks laden with sugar and artificial ingredients. Liquid energy concentrates, often based on natural ingredients like green tea extract or fruit juices, provide a less buzzy and more sustainable energy boost ideal for consumers seeking caffeine alternatives.
At Barista Underground, we offer many plant-based and fruit-based refreshers. For example, Lotus Plant Energy is the original and #1 selling plant-based energy concentrate in the USA. It features a proprietary blend of powerful plants, B vitamins, amino acids, and natural caffeine. Best of all, you can mix and match a case of six based on your customers' flavor preferences or your favorite way to use them!
Ingredient-Focused Consumers:
Many consumers are averse to synthetic ingredients. While concentrates may come packaged in a bottle, they are not laden with artificial sweeteners and ingredients.
Focusing on our Fall theme, the ever-popular Mountain Cider Company - Hot Spiced Cider Concentrate is made with Apple Cider and Natural Spices. There are no allergens, no added sugar, and it is gluten-free. For those looking to avoid sugar altogether, Dona’s Chai Concentrate also comes in an unsweetened version and only uses all-natural spices, teas, and citric acid in its ingredients list.
By highlighting this on your menu or training your staff to let your customers know that they can enjoy delicious drinks without artificial ingredients or added sugars, you cater to a larger audience.
Underground Tip
Liquid concentrates cater to a broader audience by providing non-coffee options, appealing to people who have kids, prefer caffeine-free options, and more.
Get to expand your offering—and customer base?