Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

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Author: Mike Kostyo

A Negroni of a Different Color
A Negroni of a Different Color

Photo Credit: Kathryn Sheldon « BACK NEXT »             New York’s Dante, consistently named one of the best bars in North America, is known for its negroni variations (there are a whopping 13 on the menu), but the Negroni Azzurro is a clear departure. The drink’s striking blue hue is achieved with classic, tropical blue curaçao, which is combined with Tanqueray, Mancino secco vermouth, Lillet Blanc, and Luxardo Bianco (all lighter-colored options that let the blue curacao shine). « BACK NEXT » Over a century ago, Count Camillo Negroni walked into Florence’s Café Casoni,...

Sweet & Social: Cold Coffee Takes Over
Sweet & Social: Cold Coffee Takes Over

The Cold-Brew Tonic at Tous les Jours is refreshing, balanced and boasts good eye appeal. Credit: Tous les Jours « BACK NEXT » Sweet & Social: Cold Coffee Takes Over           Iced coffee drinks edge out hot brewed coffee as favorites among Gen Z consumers, according to Datassential. That confirms the experience of coffee-shop operators who have watched sales of cold coffee eclipse hot-brewed options for years now. But the crowded iced coffee category demands constant innovation. When opening Tous les Jours’ flagship location in Cerritos, Calif., Alex Hager wanted a cold coffee signature for...

Sweet & Social: Sweeten Up the Menu
Sweet & Social: Sweeten Up the Menu

Wetzel’s Pretzels’ Frozen Horchata was created as a launch partner with the brand’s Choco Churro Bitz. Credit: Wetzel’s Pretzels « BACK NEXT » By Mike Kostyo             Gen Zers love sweet flavors. Of the top 25 foods and flavors that skew more toward Gen Z than the general population, a whopping 22 feature a level of sweetness, according to Datassential. Most of these items are actual candies, including Airheads (67 percent of Gen Z love them, compared to 44 percent of consumers overall), Sour Patch Kids, Fun Dip and Trolli Sour. If you want...