9 Crucial Tips On How To Increase Beverage Sales
Do you want your restaurant to be a go-to spot for unforgettable drinks and lively crowds? Increasing your beverage sales can make that happen! It is not just about selling more drinks; rather, it is about creating an unforgettable experience that keeps patrons returning for more.
From innovative cocktails to aesthetic presentations, the right strategies can boost your sales and enhance the customer experience. In this guide we will explore creative and effective ways on how you can increase your beverage sales and make your establishment the talk of the town. Let’s get started.
1. Upgrade Your Beverage Menu
Upgrading your beverage menu is not just about introducing new drinks; it is about creating an experience that draws the customers in and keeps them returning for more. The secret to boosting your bar sales is menu engineering. It is a good old sales tactic that works. But how does it work to increase your beverage sales? You can do the following:
- Rename your cocktails.
- Remove the ones that rarely receive any attention.
- Add trendy cocktails.
- Change your prices.
- Play up your signature cocktail.
- Introduce DIY cocktail kits where the customers can mix their drinks right at the table, creating personalized concoctions like an Office Party Punch during happy hours with their colleagues.
FSIPL’s experts help you curate and upgrade your menu that matches your audience’s taste. We provide menu engineering services to help increase your beverage sales and attract more customers.
2. Offer Seasonal Drinks
Introducing seasonal drinks can be a game changer for boosting your beverage sales. Your customers will be excited as they walk in, eagerly anticipating the new flavours for each season. A summer menu featuring refreshing watermelon mojitos and tangy citrus spritzers to beat the heat. As the temperature drops, warm them up with cosy drinks such as creamy eggnog martini or spiced apple cider cocktails. Adding seasonal spices enhances the flavour and creates a sensory experience that feels special and unique. Updating your menu with seasonal offerings encourages customers to return regularly to see what’s new and delicious.
FSIPL offers customized solutions to help you create unique, seasonal beverage offerings that meet the latest trends and customer preferences. With expert menu mapping and R&D support, we ensure your seasonal drinks stand out and drive repeat business.
3. Create Signature Drinks
A signature cocktail is a fail-proof way to bring in locals. Ask your bartenders and managers to create a unique drink as the signature drink for your bar. For instance, a signature drink like a Lavender Martini with floral notes offers a unique experience that sets your establishment apart. To make the drinks easier for the bartender, you can use our Marimbula Lavender syrup to have the same taste every time. These distinctive in-house beverages become the talk of the town, attracting curious customers eager for something new and sharing their experiences on social media.
By making these one-of-a-kind drinks, you create a memorable brand identity that makes people come back for more. By using syrups provided by FSIPL, you can ensure consistency and taste in your drinks. As a HoReCa manufacturer, we offer a wide range of syrups that help you create unique signature drinks.
At FSIPL, we offer customised solutions to support your bar operations, including menu mapping and curation. Our team can assist in developing creative beverage offerings that align with current trends while optimising operational efficiency and enhancing customer satisfaction.
4. Implement Happy Hours
Happy hours are a great way to lure customers when you predict business will be slow. It doubles as a marketing strategy to increase liquor sales in your restaurant. Try experimenting with your happy hour schedule to see what works best. You could start with something standard like a 4 to 7 or change it according to your surroundings.
For instance, if an office complex is nearby, you can schedule your happy hours from 6 PM to 8 PM and offer a mini happy hour during lunch breaks (12 PM to 2 PM). You can also create themed night happy hours, such as Margarita Mondays and Whiskey Wednesdays.
5. Hire A Professional Bartender
Consider hiring professional bartenders; they are much more than just drink pourers. They bring an impressive set of skills to the table, from mixing innovative cocktails to engaging customers with charisma and flair. An experienced bartender can create unique signature drinks that will make a person’s taste buds dance and become iconic offerings for your restaurant.
Their talent ensures each drink is balanced and stylishly presented, making it a memorable experience for all guests to rave about. As an entrepreneur or a hotelier, you should invest in a bartender not just to create drinks but also to build your restaurant’s reputation and help increase your liquor sales with superior service and creativity.
6. Implement Upselling Techniques
Upselling is a tactic all restaurants should use for food and drinks. In the case of drinks, liquor can help boost your profits the fastest. Upselling is when you automatically suggest more expensive options or wait for the customer to tell their preference and then search for an alternative.
For example, a customer has ordered steak, and you could suggest that it goes well with a glass of your finest wine/ whiskey. If the customer wants the alcohol neat, give them two options and highlight the more expensive one. Encourage servers to suggest seasonal drinks or limited specials that may be offered to denote a sense of exclusivity and value.
FSIPL offers menu mapping and curation services, helping you create exclusive drink pairings that enhance your upselling strategies. Our tailored solutions, backed by industry trends, allow your staff to confidently promote premium options, ensuring a smooth and profitable customer experience.
7. Invest In Marketing Your Drinks Menu
As an integral part of your menu, the drinks should be as advertised as the food. Post about them on your website or socials. Include photos to make people want to try them, and make behind-the-scenes videos of your new drinks to excite people to try the latest seasonal drink, and show your staff having a great time in the pre-shift huddle.
Creating content can be time-consuming; you can collaborate with influencers and food bloggers to promote your business and attract customers to your establishment. Also, post your offers and deals on your socials to inform people of your running offers and gain traction.
8. Make Sure The Drinks Look Aesthetically Pleasing
The well-presented drink can boost your sales by creating a treat for the eyes and the senses in every beverage. Invest in stylish glassware, vibrant garnishes, and presentation. Customers are more likely to order a beautifully crafted cocktail and artfully arranged garnishes on their drinks and are sure to order more and share their experiences on social media.
Train your staff to pay attention to every drink’s details, ensuring each cocktail looks as good as it tastes. Paying attention to your drinks’ aesthetic elements will increase the appeal of your drink menu, encouraging orders and creating a memorable dining experience that will increase your liquor sales.
9. Use The Ambience To Your Advantage
More often than not, customers are what you make of them. What does this mean in terms of selling more beverages? The environment you create impacts how much liquor you sell. Build an atmosphere where guests can sit back and enjoy their drinks.
Have comfortable seating with mood lighting and a lively atmosphere. Set the scene to match your drinks—in other words, dim ambient lighting will keep the vibe relaxing, and people will sip on their cocktails slowly. Upbeat music might energise patrons and get them to order another round.
Conclusion
Increasing your restaurant’s beverage sales is not just about introducing more drinks but creating an experience that makes the patrons return. You can boost your sales by upgrading your beverage menu, introducing seasonal and signature drinks, and implementing upselling techniques.
Ready to take your restaurant to the next level? Our experts at Food Service India Pvt. Ltd. are here to help you succeed in your food business. As a food product manufacturer, we make top-quality products in-house to give your customers a lip-smacking taste of your menu. Whether you are a chef, restauranter, or caterer, let us guide you to greater success with our expertise and resources. Contact us today!
Piyush Chhaochharia
Piyush Chhaochharia is the Vice President of Food Services India Pvt Ltd. He has a great sense of entrepreneurship, steadfast commitment, and passion for quality in the food sector. Piyush has played a pivotal role in transforming Food Services India Pvt Ltd into a leading food products supplier, offering a diverse range of high-quality products and services to customers across India. With a background in organizations like PwC and True North, he has played a key role in growing the business and expanding the product portfolio. An avid reader and fitness enthusiast, Piyush continues to drive the company's growth and success.
