SMOOTH OPERATOR

The word “smoothie” hasn’t always referenced the well-blended, fruit filled, cold, refreshing beverage that many enjoy today.

AS RECENTLY AS THE MIDDLE OF the 20th century, the word smoothie could mean just about anything. It was the name of a paint brand, a pen, and even a brand of women’s lingerie.

So, how did the smoothie we know today come to be? In the early 1970’s, Louisiana teenager Steven Kuhnau was looking for a lactose-free alternative to the milkshake and started pulverizing fruits and juices in his blender. He was so happy with the result that he started a restaurant to sell them to the public and christened it Smoothie King.

Although pulpy fruit drinks had existed for millennia before that, Kuhnau was the first to market them as smoothies. And while they’ve been steadily gaining in popularity for half a century, market analysts say they’re more popular now than ever. According to a 2022 IMARC Group report, the global smoothie market will be valued at $20 billion annually by 2027.

Whether it’s because of the health benefits or the endless flavour possibilities, the smoothie has become a popular menu item for many. If you don’t have it as an option for your customers yet, it might be a good time to consider adding one. “Smoothies are very relevant today,” says Mark McEwan of Vitamix Canada. “Even McDonald’s is doing smoothies now. They’re perfect for breakfast and lunch or even a midday snack because they’re so healthy. You’re blending whole fruits and vegetables to create essentially a full meal in a glass.”

And it all starts with the blender. McEwan says Vitamix makes a blender specifically for smoothies. “We have a model just for the front of the house that has sound enclosures to muffle the noise so you can blend a smoothie at your bar and your customers can still hear you,” he says.

Once you’re armed with the right blender, you’re ready to hop on the smoothie bandwagon. That’s because when it comes to smoothie recipes, virtually anything goes.

If you’re new to the smoothie game, there are a few ways you can design a smoothie menu that will keep you on trend for the next few years:

FRUITY GOODNESS: Smoothies will always be a fruit-forward drink, so you can never go wrong with fruit flavours. According to Google Ads, strawberry-banana is not only a classic, but the most popular flavour. If you’re wanting to explore beyond the ordinary, up-and-comers include starfruit, dragon fruit and even smoothies that can be given a little kick from your bar rail.

LET’S GO BOWLING: A recent Datassential survey says smoothie bowls – a thicker, extremely photogenic version of the drinkable smoothie – have grown in popularity by 133% over the last five years. You can offer any smoothie on your menu in bowl form and top it off by adding crunchy toppings like seeds, nuts, oats, or shredded coconut for a totally Instagram worthy dish.

HEALTH FOOD: If customers are choosing smoothies as a more health-conscious option, find ways to power up your offer! You can make an extra-healthy version by using herbal teas, plant-based milks, protein powders or add-ins like flax, collagen or hempseeds to your fresh fruit and vegetable base. Plus, having these as options will allow your menu to be appetizing to those with dietary restrictions – double win!

NOT SO HEALTHY FOOD: Of course, no one said a smoothie has to be healthy. Introduce some decadence that will give customers a sweet treat. Think dessert in a cup... key lime pie, chocolate brownie, banana split. And let’s be honest, introducing new flavours can build excitement with your customer base, while giving you some good social media content to get the conversation started.

So grab your blender and let your creativity run wild – the smoothie might just be that refreshing menu item your customer is looking for.