At Natura, we’re all about promoting the many uses of sparkling water. Here’s a roundup of recent trends that push the boundaries. But who’s to say where your boundaries lie? Sparkling water, from presumed health benefits to fun and experimental seasonal drink menu explorations, bring out the boundary jumper in all of us. Here’s hoping these foodservice trends inspire your own experimentation!
Stop and Drink the Flowers
Everything’s coming up roses at some big city bars. Since last year’s Fancy Foods show in New York and continuing through to the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, we have been tracking florals as a trending ingredient in cocktails coast to coast. The craft beverage market and mixologist in general are even hiring on-site florists to provide flowers and botanicals for patrons’ drinks. Guests have the option to build their own bouquets tableside, enjoy them during dinner, and then take them home.
Horticulturally inclined mixologists say flowers are a natural ingredient in beverages because their potent fragrances stimulate the taste buds—and can also evoke powerful memories.
Consider incorporating florals and botanicals into some signature craft beverages using Natura sparkling or still water. Try mixing with different teas, honeys, and juices to complement colors and scents. Any flower can be turned into an infusion, the more aromatic, the better. Edible flowers can be used as a garnish.
Now we know why the smell of drink is called its “bouquet”!
Wake Up with Sparkling Coffee
It’s a simple idea whose time has come: replace the still-water in cold brew coffees with sparkling water. Game changer! Get the jolt of caffeine you need with the extra alertness from bubbles tickling your nose. It’ll tingle going down, adding to the refreshment.
It’s easy to make, too, especially if you have a Natura machine: 8 ounces of sparkling water, 1 ounce of espresso and 1 ounce of vanilla syrup. (Just make sure you don’t use vanilla extract. An entire ounce would be way too much!)
Stir the sparkling water and the syrup together first then pour the shot of espresso over the top. The espresso reacting to the CO2 should form a creamy layer of foam on top.
Sparkling Water as … Face Wash?
Dermatologists haven’t reached a consensus on these benefits, but agree it’s not harmful (though it’s important to stay away from sparkling water with flavorings or other additives).
For spot treatments, spas and skin care clinics apply sparkling water to the skin with a cotton ball. In other cases, sparkling water is splashed on the face or clinic customers even dunk their face in a bowlful of the pure bubbly water for a few seconds. Users say it leaves skin feeling fresh and balanced, not overstripped but not too oily, either.
Having a Natura sparkling and still—ambient of chilled—water dispensing machine on premise for guest hydration allows owners to add the health trend to their menu of services without additional cost.