There’s nothing quite like a blended drink, whether it be a frosty daiquiri, some decadent frozé, or just a standard chocolate shake. Blending a drink gives it a unique frosty texture that people love, and investing in a blender for your business can bring it to the next level.
Why Do I Need a Blender at My Bar or Restaurant?
It’s difficult to find a coffee franchise that doesn’t serve blended coffee drinks, and that’s due to their popularity. The unique texture of any blended beverage is appealing and attracts customers. Not only that, but you can level up components of your drinks as well.
Frozen Drinks.
Serving up frozen drinks is perfect for summer. People love coming in to get a frosty margarita and a bite to eat, and they’ll actually seek out places that serve frozen drinks specifically. Profit margins for frozen drinks are also higher than they would be over ice because of the amount of ice you put in the drink.
Specialty Purees.
Purees are extremely versatile. You can blend up fruit for a variety of beverages, and creating these purees for drinks ahead of time can make the bar move faster while still serving up tasty cocktails. People can taste the freshness of your drinks this way as you won’t be using any pre-made mixers, and it’s completely customizable to whatever your needs are.Foams
Egg foam has been used on drinks for a while now, a proper amaretto sour isn’t the same without it. Since molecular gastronomy became popular, however, foams have become a creative way to shake up how we experience flavor and texture. Soy lecithin can be used to create savory foam for dinner items or sweetened foams for cocktails. The possibilities are up to you, and you can easily experiment with just a blender.
Dried Garnish
Blending your dried garnish can create a better taste for your cocktails. Dried fruit on a drink looks stunning, but blending the dried fruit can make it easier to taste too. You can even come up with your own blends of dried fruits and herbs. Dried citrus with dried rosemary could make a delicious addition to a greyhound or other drinks.
What to Look For in a Blender Depending on Your Industry
Every blender is different and designed for a specific purpose. You might need a more high-powered blender if you’re looking to blend ice frequently, or a blender that stops on its own might be appealing to you.
Bars/Restaurants
You’ll likely want to have an all-in-one blender that can do a little bit of everything. During food prep, it might be used to make sauces or soups for the kitchen, and the bar can use it for drinks in the evening. Having a blender that can do it all makes it a bigger asset so you don’t have to have multiple machines for blending.
Bars Only
Having a blender that’s especially for crushing ice is perfect for a bar setting. Many blenders aren’t built to withstand ice, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting one specifically for that. You’ll be able to provide crushed ice for customers and blended frozen drinks as well.
Smoothie/Juice Shops
The types of blenders used at shops like this typically have a timer to stop automatically so employees can do other things during the blending process. They also come with built in sound dampeners so it’s not loud in the shop. These are a bit fancier and cost more than your typical blender.
Other Considerations
When you’re shopping around for a blender, you should think about a budget. How often are you using the blender, and what will it mainly be used for? It might be worth if to get the expensive sound dampening blender if you’re an establishment that makes a lot of frozen drinks. You’ll also want to consider the price of replacement parts and what the warranty looks like for the blenders you’re looking at. Wear and tear is normal, but are you covered if your expensive blender shatters suddenly? What about when your blades eventually need replacing, how much does it cost to fix?
Some Top Blender Models and their Best Applications
Here’s a list of some of the most popular blenders in the industry and what they’re good at.
Vitamix Professional 5200
This sleek all-in-one blender is perfect for a bar and restaurant setting. You’ll find a bunch of uses for it in the kitchen and out at the bar, it’s excellent at crushing ice and even boasts a self-cleaning ability for easy cleanup. These blenders might come in at a professional price point (around $400 to be exact) but it has a great warranty and loads of accessories that come with it. If you’re willing to put up with the price point, this can be a versatile tool for your restaurant and bar.
BioloMix A8700
If you’re looking for a blender that makes smooth purees and smoothies, this is for you. This blender features sound dampening technology that’s perfect for preparing drinks in a customer-facing setting. It has a timer as well, though buyers of this blender note it can be tricky to use sometimes. This blender comes in at a price point of around $150 and can be a good starter blender.
Cuisinart SPB-7CH
This is a classic style blender that comes in at around $70, but don’t let the price point fool you. This is still a powerful blender and comes with a sturdy glass pitcher with a comprehensible user interface that makes it easy to use. This is great for small and infrequent preparations like small batches of puree, but this blender doesn’t have a high capacity and the base is plastic. This isn’t a blender you want to be rough with, but it’s perfect it you’re looking for something cheaper for small projects.
Ninja BL660
We have another perfect multi-use blender for whatever you’re looking for at your restaurant or bar. With it’s compact design, it doesn’t take up much space and is capable of blending several different types of ingredients. It’s versatile and comes with 2 16oz to-go cups that you can use as storage, and multiple other attachments as well. Customers do note that there can be an issue with the pitcher cracking, so it’s important to get your blender from a reputable source. At just $99, it’s hard to find many downsides for this blender.
Final Thoughts
No matter what you need your blender for, there are a lot of great options on the market. You can expand your possibilities by trying new things in your restaurant and bar. If you’re looking for something to make your menu changes easier, we can help! Provi provides an all-in-one marketplace for your restaurant and bar, making beverage ordering easier than ever. With an inventory tracking system, ordering/payment options, and live representatives who can help you, Provi can consolidate all your ordering in one place. Try Provi today by singing up at www.provi.com – it’s free!
Comments