TEA is increasingly becoming more popular and is able to be enjoyed all day. In part, this trend is occurring due to the appeal of new and unique flavors.

KNOWING your particular customers’ tastes is important to boost sales. Obviously, if you are in the South, sweet tea will be a big seller, while non–iced and specialty tea drinks will perform better in coffee and tea shops.

WHAT’S TRENDING is creating even more interesting beverages with tea as a base. Serve up unique cocktails and mocktails by adding unexpected and interesting flavors and syrups. These head-turners can really influence sales.

Reading the tea leaves

INSIGHTS FROM CHEF MYK BANAS

One of our favorite chef associates, Chef Banas, sat down with Red Diamond to share his insights on what’s brewing in the tea business.

Creative merchandising ideas can help attract both new and regular customers. Red Diamond offers you the following tactics you can employ to boost engagement and interest.

MERCHANDISING IDEAS

Promote the artisanal nature of tea by offering a fun and descriptive “tea menu,”similar to a “wine menu”.

Create “tea flights” to allow customers to sample before they choose.

Consider attractive in-store signs and graphics that create interest.

Outside your store, place eye-catching teasers and window clings.

Tea is a visually appealing drink. Add a photograph of your flavored tea or mocktail to your tabletop menu holder or display.

TEAGARITA:

TEAGARITA INGREDIENTS:

2 oz silver tequila
1 oz triple sec
3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime
3 oz sweetened tea concentrate (below)
Ice
Lime wedge

SWEETENED TEA CONCENTRATE:

½ cup Red Diamond Tea®
½ cup agave nectar
2 cups boiling water

For the sweetened tea concentrate, combine boiling water and tea, and then turn off the heat. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes and strain out the tea leaves, keeping the liquid; sweeten with agave. When assembling the Teagarita; combine the sweetened tea concentrate with tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Shake the mixture with ice in a shaker, and pour through a strainer into a glass. Garnish the Teagarita with a lime wedge, and sip away.

HOT ORANGE–FENNEL TEA:

FENNEL SYRUP INGREDIENTS:

1 cup water
½ cup granulated sugar
1 cup fennel (sliced, trimmings)

HOT ORANGE–FENNEL TEA:

10 oz Red Diamond Tea® (freshly brewed and hot)
1 oz fennel syrup
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
Fennel frond, for garnish

To make the fennel syrup, combine all ingredients of water, sugar and fennel in a saucepan on a stovetop. Simmer to reduce the water by ¾, and strain out the fennel. Cool this syrup, and save on the side. Combine with the fennel syrup and freshly squeezed orange juice. Garnish with the fennel frond, and stay cozy.