Hot property
Having a good hot beverages menu is more important than ever during the colder, winter months, luring customers seeking warmth into your venue and generating crucial sales.
Alongside a selection of tea and coffee, premium hot chocolate is a key item with sales growing by an impressive 6% last year.
Loved by young and old alike, this decadent hot drink is a menu must-have, offering opportunities to upsell with the addition of whipped cream, marshmallows and sprinkles.
Equally important is the need to satisfy consumer concerns about quality ingredients and their sustainability credentials, so operators are advised to make their choices wisely.
Image credit: deZaan
Brewing up success
According to Statista, the hot drinks market in the UK is projected to grow by 1.68% (2024-2029) resulting in a market volume of £2.4billion in 2029.
Experts claim this upward trajectory is being driven by factors such as expanding consumption in emerging markets, the demand for premium and specialty products, and the evolving preferences of the younger generation.
Generation Z in particular are shunning alcohol and therefore have more available income to splash out on indulgent hot drinks.
Shifting desires
Research by Mintel reveals that 39% of coffee drinkers are trying to reduce their caffeine consumption, which, in part, is driving a growth in popularity for hot chocolate.
The UK hot chocolate market alone is worth a staggering £132million and there has been a definite shift towards versions containing less sugar, along with those made from single origin cocoa.
Mintel’s report states: “The better-for-you space holds untapped potential in the hot chocolate segment, with interest in variants with added health benefits. Protein stands out as an area to explore in mainstream hot chocolate, given plentiful recipes online and the prevalence of high-protein chocolate drinks.”
Image credit: deZaan
Luxe lines
Leading the march on luxury hot chocolate is Knoops, which is sweeping the nation with its dedicated collection of hot chocolate cafes.
Knoops is meeting growing demand for super-strength cocoa offering an impressive menu of more than 20 drinks with ranging chocolate content, along with interesting and appealing additions such as star anise, turmeric, Szechuan pepper and rosemary.
Smooth operator
For operators looking for a quality single-origin hot chocolate, the deZaan brand offers a premium product.
The cocoa powder specialists launched its hot chocolate last year, crafted from 100% single origin cocoa from Ghana, and combining roasted cocoa, vanilla and caramel notes with a velvety chocolate finish.
The 2kg bag makes 12 litres of hot chocolate, and is free from preservatives and artificial flavours.
Vegan options
The deZaan hot chocolate provides a high quality, versatile solution, which can be used with both dairy and plant-based milks, making it an ideal solution for vegans.
Image credit: deZaan
