In the world of modern food service, drinks are no longer an afterthought. They’re front and center — a place for creativity, margin growth, and brand differentiation. From cold-brew collaborations to handcrafted mocktails, premium beverages are quickly becoming one of the smartest ways to elevate menus and boost online revenue.
As a catering business, restaurant, or hospitality group using Graze, you have a unique opportunity: turn simple sips into signature experiences — and make them sell themselves through your digital storefront.
Here’s a look at the top drink trends driving customer interest, plus how to spotlight these high-value items in your Graze-powered online ordering experience.
What Defines a “Premium Beverage” in 2025?
Today’s consumers are more ingredient-conscious and flavor-curious than ever. That means they’re seeking beverages that offer more than hydration — they’re looking for quality, craftsmanship, and a little story behind the pour.
Premium drinks often include:
● Specialty coffee and cold brew: Often single-origin or from local roasters
● Craft mocktails: Zero-proof cocktails with complex flavor profiles
● Fermented sips: Kombucha, drinking vinegars, or probiotic blends
● Small-batch sodas: House-made or artisanal flavors beyond the typical cola
● Global influences: Japanese matcha, Latin American aguas frescas, Mediterranean botanicals
● Curated waters and juices: Local, alkaline, or infused bottled options
Whether served in a lunch box, bundled into a drop-off menu, or added on at checkout, premium drinks add both visual and sensory value to any order.
Why Premium Drinks Are Worth the Investment
Unlike food, drinks typically require less prep and fewer perishable ingredients — but carry strong profit margins. They also:
● Enhance perceived value: A lavender lemonade or rosemary spritz makes even a simple boxed lunch feel curated.
● Support brand identity: Highlighting local roasters, seasonal syrups, or house-made blends adds to your story.
● Encourage upsells: When positioned well, drinks are one of the easiest digital add-ons.
● Drive repeat business: A signature beverage becomes a reason guests come back — and recommend you to others.
In short, drinks are low-effort, high-impact revenue builders.
Examples of Food Businesses Leading the Charge
Across the country, catering teams and restaurant brands are capitalizing on the drink boom. Here are a few standout strategies:
A Lunch Delivery Service
Partnering with a local coffee shop, this company offers a rotating cold brew selection that customers can add during checkout — including notes on origin and flavor.
A Seasonal Catering Brand
Offering a “Signature Sips” package that rotates mocktail options quarterly, such as cucumber-mint coolers or cranberry-spice punch, complete with garnish kits.
A Brunch Box Provider
Including imported sparkling juice, turmeric tonics, or house-infused teas in meal kits — all labeled with origin and ingredients for a premium feel.
A Virtual Event Meal Kit Company
Pairing multi-course meals with alcohol-free cocktails or globally inspired sodas, sold as an optional upgrade on their Graze-powered storefront.
How to Showcase Premium Beverages Using Graze
Graze’s flexible backend makes it easy to feature, tag, and sell premium beverages through your online ordering platform. Here’s how to make the most of it:
1. Highlight Sourcing and Ingredients
● Use rich descriptions like “house-made rosemary citrus soda” or “locally roasted Ethiopian cold brew.”
● Include short tasting notes or pairing suggestions in the item description.
2. Leverage Visual Placement
● Create a dedicated “Drinks” or “Signature Sips” collection in your menu layout.
● Use featured banners to promote seasonal or limited-time offerings.
3. Make Upselling Seamless
● Add drinks as optional upgrades in meal bundles.
● Use cart prompts like “Add a seasonal mocktail for $4.50” during checkout.
4. Use Filtering Tags
● Help customers find what they’re looking for with tags like:
○ “Zero-Proof”
○ “House-Made”
○ “Seasonal”
○ “Local”
○ “Gluten-Free”
These touches not only increase conversion — they build trust and transparency.
Seasonal and Limited-Time Offer Ideas
Want to keep your menu fresh? Rotate your beverage offerings with the seasons:
● Spring: Matcha fizz, cucumber-mint spritzers, sparkling elderflower lemonade
● Summer: Hibiscus iced tea, pineapple basil soda, cold-pressed citrus blends
● Fall: Spiced apple shrub, pumpkin chai latte, pear-ginger coolers
● Winter: Toasted coconut hot chocolate, rosemary citrus punch, peppermint cold brew
Creating time-sensitive drink specials gives customers a reason to order again — and builds anticipation.
Final Thoughts
In a world where experience is everything, premium beverages offer a simple yet powerful way to stand out. They enhance your brand, increase average ticket size, and give guests something to talk about.
With Graze, you can feature drinks beautifully, upsell them easily, and rotate them seasonally — all while keeping your digital storefront clean and customer-friendly.
Premium drinks aren’t just a trend — they’re a growth channel. Now’s the time to pour into it.
FAQ: Premium Beverages in Online Ordering
Q: What makes a beverage “premium”?
Premium drinks are typically made with high-quality ingredients, unique flavors, or handcrafted techniques. They often focus on health, global influence, or artisanal preparation.
Q: Do drinks actually increase revenue in catering and online ordering?
Yes. Premium drinks are among the highest-margin items you can offer and are easy to bundle or upsell alongside food.
Q: Can I offer rotating drink specials through Graze?
Absolutely. Graze lets you update offerings, create seasonal collections, and highlight new drinks through banners and descriptions.
Q: What if I don’t serve alcohol?
No problem. Zero-proof drinks like mocktails, infused waters, and craft sodas are extremely popular and perfect for catering menus.