Right now it’s easier than ever to understand the driving forces behind the beverage boom. It’s fall, it’s chilly, and warm and spicy is all the rage. The Pumpkin Spice Latte, a mass-market hit since its inception, is just one product that has people running to coffee shops to get their “fix.” And the treat isn’t isolated to Starbucks, its inventor. Convenience stores such as 7-11 offer up the hot drink during the holiday season, and Dunkin’ Donuts has joined the craze with their own version—the Pumpkin Crème Brulee Latte. And swap out regular dairy milk for almond or coconut milk, another fad accounting for the increased coffee shop sales, and you have just opened your doors to an entirely different market…the nut milks allow vegans to enjoy a decadent coffee drink alongside their dairy counterparts.

Seasonal beverages aren’t the only trend in world of beverages, though. Specialty hand-crafted sodas are making a splash in the refreshment department. Sonic, with an already-extensive list of beverages, has recently expanded their menu to include lower calorie sodas with flavorings that they already carry: Peach, Raspberry, Blackberry-Pineapple, Sunshine Berry, and Hawaiian Wave—the latter two including pieces of fresh fruit, diced small enough to be sipped through the straw. And Starbucks introduced their new Fizzio line during the past summer, their own lighter versions of ginger ale, lemon ale, and root beer that are not only lower in calories but also are caffeine-free and contain no high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

Alcoholic libations are also on the rise, as restaurants and even coffee shops stretch their creative minds to add new twists to old favorites, evidenced by the rise of fancy, fruity martinis or savory cocktails that implement infusion of different herbs and spices into their traditional offerings. Even the fast-casual dining segment is furiously working to find ways to integrate alcohol sales into their growing culture—a difficult feat as they are simply not operationally set up for it. Larry Leith, of Tokyo Joe’s (based in Denver), is in the process of testing a service that will include a staff member walking the floor during the weekends, offering to bring additional beer to thirsty diners.

These are just a spattering of examples of why beverages are a part of the 10 biggest restaurant trends to watch for in 2015. It’s easy to see the allure to business operators and customers alike, and the effect they will have on sales in the coming year and beyond.

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BEER SERVICE

Pint/Tapered/Mixing:  The simplicity of this glass makes it a good choice for most types of beer.

Mugs/Stein:  Heavy and thick with sturdy handles, these mugs are built to hold beer without breaking, and are often used when the beer is meant to be very cold.  A stein is similar to a mug with one exception:  it includes a thumb rest or a lid.

Pilsner:  Flared at the top to help maintain a stronger beer head that is not desired in darker beers, these glasses serve pilsner and lager beers well.  They are also perfect for holding water, soda, or ciders.

WINE SERVICE

Red Wine:  Generally a larger glass, although one should only be poured to about a third full to allow the wine to aerate.  Designed with a larger rim, this glass will allow the person to smell the aroma while sipping the wine.  Stemless red wine glasses also work well as there is not a concern with the heat transfer from a guest’s hands since the wine is already served at room temperature.

White Wine:   Typically a smaller glass than a red wine glass, the goal is to keep the chilled wine at temperature for the duration of the drink.  Although stemless white wine glasses are available, the wine will stay chilled longer if held by a stem.

Sherry:  Also called a “copita,” this glass resembles a red wine glass, though smaller.  Its narrow rim enhances the strong aroma of sherry or port wines.

Champagne Tulip/Coupe:  Part of the fun in serving or drinking champagne is to see the bubbles rise.  For this purpose, and to keep the sparkle from going flat, the tulip-shaped glass is a perfect choice.  The coupe is an elegant choice for a toast, but keep the serving size low—the short, round bowl of the glass is not optimal for bubble retention.

MISCELLANEOUS GLASSWARE

Beverage/Water/Iced Tea:  Similar in size and shape, these are generally considered a multi-purpose glass and are great for holding main beverages—from water to iced tea, sodas to milkshakes.

Highball:  Usually holds 8-12 fluid ounces.  This glass is typically taller than an Old Fashioned but shorter and wider than a Collins.  Use for mixed drinks that require large amounts of juice, soda, or ice, or as an all-purpose beverage glass.

Brandy:  Often referred to as a “snifter,” this glass is balloon-shaped with a short stem, which allows the glass to be cupped to transfer heat from the hand to the glass, naturally warming the beverage.  The balloon shape traps the aroma of the beverage in the glass.  Typically associated with brandy and Cognac service, the glass has evolved to present aged whiskeys as well.  The bowl of the glass should only be filled to a quarter or a third of capacity to allow the beverage to breathe.

Coffee:  Serves the same purpose as a coffee mug, but with a more elegant appeal.  This glass is perfect for adding a decorative touch to alcoholic coffee beverages.

Collins:  Originally designed to hold a Tom Collins, the glass is now used for serving many different types of mixed drinks.  This tumbler usually holds between 10-14 fluid ounces.  It is distinguished from a high ball by its narrow, cylindrical shape.

Cordial:  Small and dainty, this glass can be used to serve any sweet liqueur, and can also double as a beer sampler when an establishment wishes to maintain an elegant theme.

Margarita:  This glass has an exceptionally wide bowl, specifically designed for the salted or sugared rim often associated with a margarita.  The glass will often have a smaller bowl beneath the large bowl, although this is a purely aesthetic addition.

Martini/Cocktail:  For beverages that don’t call for carbonation or ice.  The drinker can hold the glass by the stem, thus maintaining the chilled temperature of the drink.  The shape of this glass also ensures the full effect of aromatic beverages as the drink is placed directly under the drinker’s nose.  Cosmopolitan glasses are stemless versions of a Martini/Cocktail glass.

Rocks/Old Fashioned:  Generally small enough to hold only ice and the liquor of choice.  Sometimes drinks served with “a splash” of water, soda, etc., or a mixed drink that is smaller (such as its namesake, the Old Fashioned) will be served in a Rocks or Old Fashioned Glass.  A Double Old Fashioned maintains the same shape as a Rocks or Old Fashioned, but holds about one and a half times as much, making it an ideal candidate for beverages served with fruit or other solid ingredients.

Shot/Shooter/Whiskey:   Typically designed to hold just 1-2 ounces of a single liquor or liquor mixed with another spirit or non-alcoholic ingredient.  In general the beverage is not sipped but rather “shot” quickly, although this is not always the case.  The shot glass is also often a bartender’s choice for measuring the alcoholic ingredient in a mixed drink.  Shooters are normally taller than a shot glass, and whiskey glasses are usually a bit wider to accommodate ice when requested.

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