Well Drinks: Restaurants Develop Nutrient-Rich Beverages

Restaurant-chain operators are helping customers slake thirsts and boost wellness with nutrient-rich beverages.

By David Farkas, Senior Editor -- Chain Leader, 9/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

Today, one of the keys to marketing beverages is making them good for you in novel ways. A survey last year by the nonprofit International Food Information Council, for instance, found that 92 percent of consumers report they are interested in food and beverages that lead to health and wellness. The Centers for Disease Control's Healthy People 2010 project includes guidelines encouraging the consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Those notions haven't been lost on several restaurant chains, now fueling their alcoholic and nonalcoholic offerings with such foods, mainly in the form of "super fruits."

Lemonocity

Concept:Red Mango
Headquarters: Dallas
Units: 55
Ingredients: fresh green tea, black tea, hibiscus tea, pure cane sugar, natural flavors and probiotic strains
Size: 16, 24 ounces
Price tag: $2.75, $3.25
Rationale: CEO Dan Kim says tea is the fas test-growing beverage segment in the United States. Add antioxidants and probiotics, and it's an "awesome" beverage, he adds.

The Krystal Blitz

Concept:Krystal
Headquarters: Chattanooga, Tenn.
Units: 384
Ingredients: lemon-lime soda, lemon-berry syrup, taurine, guarana, green-tea extract, caffeine and cane sugar
Size: 20 ounces
Price tag: $1.99 on the rocks, $ 2.49 frozen
Rationale: The popularity of energy drinks prompted the fast-feeder to launch its own carbonated and made-to-order beverage, says Vice President of Marketing Brad Wahl.

Chadwick

Concept:Nacional 27, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Headquarters: Chicago
Units: 1
Ingredients: sugar-cane rum, mint, house- made ginger-habañero syrup, pomegranate juice, lime wedges and club soda
Size: 16 ounces
Price tag: $11
Rationale: "Drink like you eat" is General Manager Adam Seeger's mantra. So he created the Chadwick using ginger-habañero syrup for zing and pomegranate juice for vitamins and antioxidants.

Acai Energy Smoothie

Concept:Freshens Yogurt & Smoothies
Headquarters: Atlanta
Units: 1,200
Ingredients: acai berries, fruit juices, strawberries and bananas
Size: 21, 32 ounces
Price tag: $3.69, $3.99
Rationale: Advertising Director Christina Jockwig says Freshens goes beyond basic nutrition to contribute meaningful nourishment, wellness and energy in its products.

Amazon Cherry Smoothie

Concept:Planet Smoothie
Headquarters: Atlanta
Units: 124
Ingredients: acerola, apple juice, strawberries, banana and ice
Size: 22, 32, 44 ounces
Price tag: $5.29 to $7.49
Rationale: Acerola (Amazon cherry), a "super fruit" said to boost immunity, helps to position the chain as a cutting-edge purveyor of wellness beverages, boasts President Tra Williams.

Acai Anise Martini

Concept:Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
Headquarters: Dallas
Units: 8
Ingredients: fennel bulb, agave nectar, acai spirits, elderflower spirits, lime juice and fennel sprig for garnish
Size: 10 ounces
Price tag: $16.95
Rationale: A demand for fresh and unusual ingredients is the main reason for the cocktail, says Corporate Beverage Director Tammy LaNasa. "We're always looking for ways to bring the kitchen into the bar," she adds.

Amazon

Concept:Bar Louie
Headquarters: Glenview, Ill.
Units: 50
Ingredients: acai-blueberry vodka, acai spirit, "super fruit" puree (acai, blueberry, pomegranate and goji berry), pure cane syrup, fresh sour mix, fresh lemon and lime juice, and lime wheel garnish
Size: 7 ounces
Price tag: $9
Rationale: The goal was to develop "a delicious, nutritious cocktail," says Blake Rohrabaugh, beverage director, of the anti-oxidant-heavy Amazon, debuted in May.

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