In the hospitality industry, it’s not just about taste but also presentation. With mixed drinks and cocktails, the garnishes mean everything. Customers are more likely to enjoy a beverage if they like the way it looks. Women are especially drawn to pretty drinks with fancy garnishes and enhancements.
With spring just ahead of us, now is the time to start thinking about decorative garnishes to make all your drinks look as fabulous as they taste.
What is a Garnish, and What is its Purpose?
A garnish is defined as a decoration or embellishment. Some are dropped into the drink, while others decorate the glass or plate it is served on. Many are very ornate, and others are simple.
There are a couple of purposes for a garnish. The first is aesthetics; it’s about presentation. Marketing dictates that the better something looks, the more pleasing the perception. If your customers see you bringing something pretty on a tray, they are more apt to love it.
The second purpose of some garnishes is to enhance the flavor of the cocktail. For example, an olive or onion in a martini or an orange slice in an Old Fashioned.
It’s All About the Presentation
Thinking about sales, the better something looks, the easier it will sell. When your servers walk through your establishment holding a tray of delicious and beautiful-looking drinks, you will sell more of them. Women especially are drawn to attractive-looking drinks with colorful garnishes. Garnishes add value to your offering.
The trick is combining the right drink with the best possible container and garnish. You achieve the trifecta of perfection when you select these three items that work beautifully in tandem.
Popular Garnishes
Some of the most popular garnishes used in bars and restaurants are fruit, flowers, leaves, twists, food items, and other objects. Most of the garnishes are edible. For example, some bartenders carve ornate shapes into peels (e.g., orange peel) and use that as a garnish.
Flavored oils can also be used to garnish a drink and enhance its depth of flavor.
The Possibilities are Endless
Exotic garnishes are as unique as the artist who prepares them. You can come up with an unlimited number of interesting ways to dress up your cocktails.
Think of it this way. Your drinks are your art, and you are creating a masterpiece with every concoction. Your customers will drink more and stay longer if they love your work.
Don’t forget to offer your patrons a choice with some ready-to-drink options and low-alcohol alternatives to substitute for their favorite hard liquor drinks.
