20 Delicious Coffee Shop Beverage Menu Ideas

Coffee Shop Menu Ideas

 20 Coffee Shop Menu Ideas

(And How to Market Them!)

Non-Coffee Beverage Menu Ideas For Your Coffee Shop

Developing your menu is the fun part of setting up your coffee shop.

Your coffee shop menu ties many concept and branding elements together. It is among the essential first steps in opening your coffee business.

What's on your coffee shop menu should specifically appeal to your target market. So, while there are countless ideas for you to choose from, you only want to pick those items that your coffee shop customers want.

Deciding on a coffee shop menu early will help you choose your coffee shop equipment and other kitchen appliances. You will also get an idea of the type and amount of physical space you'll need. This will impact things like your coffee shop startup's budget and lease requirements.

If you want to start a coffee shop with little money, start your budget planning with your coffee menu and move forward there.

But what should be on your coffee shop menu?

In today's post, we will discuss non-coffee beverage menu items that you may want to consider.

Let's have some fun!

Further Reading: How to Start a Coffee Shop Successfully

Coffee Shop Menu Ideas

Non-Coffee Beverage Menu Ideas for Your Coffee Shop

1. Hot Cider

Hot cider is a big seller in many parts of the United States because it's sweet and delicious! Cider has that familiar taste and comfort qualities that appeal to various palates. And it makes a great menu addition to kid-friendly coffee shops.

Make the cider frothy and warm with your steam wand, add a little cinnamon, and you have a perfect drink.

Pro tip: The better-quality cider really goes a long way and makes all the difference in taste.

2. Caffeine-Free Teas

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. However, even devoted coffee drinkers take time to enjoy a nice cup of tea once in a while. Many specialty coffee shops also go out of their way to have high-quality loose teas, which is a good thing – because they usually provide high profit margins.

Search around for suitable quality wholesale tea suppliers. Typically, your wholesale coffee roaster won't be able to supply you with teas, so you'll likely have to go out and search for tea wholesalers.

Don't be surprised if you have to search far and wide for the tea you like. Fortunately, tea is really lightweight and can quickly be shipped across the country.

Of course, you can add regular teas to your menu that contain caffeine as well. These include green and black teas. These provide you the option of serving delicious London Fog drinks and other delightful concoctions.

3. Decaf Coffee

Having decaffeinated coffee available goes without saying. Most likely, you will need to offer your customers decaffeinated coffee, especially if you are open past noon. Many customers, young and old, love the taste of coffee but don't want the big caffeine jolt, especially later in the day and evening. While decaf coffee isn't 100% caffeine-free, it's still a good choice for those wanting less caffeine.

If you serve decaf, you will probably need a second commercial coffee grinder. So make sure you add a second grinder to your coffee shop budget and your coffee shop equipment list.

4. Chicory

Chicory is another coffee alternative that people enjoy, especially in certain parts of the country. While not for everyone, you can get creative with chicory. For example, you can make lattes and manual brew pour-overs and even mix them with regular coffee!  

Chicory has a unique taste, so train your baristas to know how to describe and prepare it. Since most people won't assume you have chicory, consider promoting the beverage option on your coffee shop menu board.

5. Chai Tea

Spicy chai tea is often a go-to favorite for many coffee shop customers.

It was just a few years back that as a coffee shop owner, you'd have to settle on whatever chai you can get your hands on to sell – or make it yourself.

Today, however, a growing number of wholesale chai tea producers are good at what they do.

Look around for wholesale chai tea producers in your area. Most often, these small-batch producers can really impress with the quality and taste of their chai.

6. Kombucha

Kombucha is one of the trendy drinks that has caught on with many coffee shop customers in cities worldwide. It is both a delicious and healthy beverage alternative that can increase your coffee shop's profits.

The trendiness has given way to a standard coffee shop menu option. Kombucha can come in many flavors. The good news is that there are many wholesale kombucha producers and vendors that could supply your coffee shop with the inventory you need.

Sample a few Kombucha producers and pick the one you think would be an excellent addition to your menu– and be sure to promote the healthy beverage option with interior and exterior signs!

7. Milkshakes & Smoothies

Mmmm! Who doesn't like milkshakes? If you are in the right market, milkshakes can be a big coffee shop menu winner.

Offer a variety of milkshakes and smoothies to complement other dessert options. The most popular milkshake flavors are chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, but you can create your own milkshake concoctions. Smoothies on the other hand can be sweet, ice-creamy, or contain fruit and veggies.  And why not add a little espresso to it, too? Now we're talkin'!

8. Milk Steamers

Milk steamers are great for kids and adults alike. It's a simple treat that appeals to a variety of customers looking for a coffee beverage alternative.

Substitute milk for oat or almond milk for the kiddos or people who are lactose intolerant. Add a pump or two of flavored syrup, such as vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon, and you got yourself a wonderful comfort beverage!

9. Matcha Tea

Matcha tea should be high on your list of menu items! The delightful taste of matcha tea is emerging as a coffee shop customer's favorite alternative to coffee or regular tea.

While Match tea is a green tea, it definitely deserves to be mentioned separately on this list. While you can have regular green tea or black tea, you can make a killer matcha latte and other drinks just as you would with coffee – such as a macchiato or cappuccino!

One thing to note is that Matcha has more caffeine than regular infused tea but less caffeine than regular coffee.

10. Hot Chocolate

You didn't think I would leave hot chocolate or hot cocoa off this list, did you? No way!

This beverage is highly popular everywhere, not just with kids but with adults too.

There are a variety of different ways to make hot chocolate, but you'd keep your customers coming back with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkles on top.

Pro tip: Specialty coffee shops should offer high-quality chocolate and cocoa, so choose the best of your wholesale choices.

Further Reading: 50 Great Coffee Shop Ideas and Concepts

Coffee Shop Beverage Menu Ideas

11. Iced-Tea

Iced-tea options in the summertime can be an excellent option for your customers looking for a cool non-coffee beverage.

More prevalent in some regions of the country than others, iced tea is easy to make and has significant margins, so you might want to add it to your coffee shop menu regardless of your location.

Pique your customers' interest by adding a little flavored syrup, add the choice of real lemon wedges, and call your iced-T something special. And lastly, make sure it's on your coffee shop menu board!

12. Lemonade

Real lemonade may be synonymous with afternoon summers and barbeques.

Like Iced tea, lemonade can squeeze out additional profits and add to your menu choices. Like iced-tea, fresh lemonade has high margins and can keep well in the fridge.

Additionally, by adding a variety of syrups to your lemonade, you can literally make hundreds of different types of menu drinks.

Pro Tip: Add real fruit, such as lemon, grapes, and watermelon to create that “Wow” feeling. And you may want to experiment with mint too!

13. The Arnold Palmer

Having both iced tea and lemonade on your menu can even combine to make my personal favorite, the beloved Arnold Palmer. The drink, named after the American golfer, is a popular drink for just about everyone. It's typically made with three-fourths iced tea and one-fourth lemonade and is the perfect companion on a hot day. And again, it can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.

14. Italian Sodas

Italian sodas can be an excellent and high-end addition to your coffee shop's menu. They appeal to customers who want a soda but want to try something they can't get at home. They are easy to make. And most likely, you'll have the ingredients anyway, so make this an option for your coffee menu!

15. Fresh Juices

Having fresh juices is always a great option to have on your coffee shop menu.

Fresh juices are not only healthy, but they make people feel great. Additionally, they can be perfect for the little ones in your kid-friendly coffee shop.

There are plenty of great fruit juicers that you will want to add to your coffee shop equipment list. Be sure to pick a commercial juicer.

The great thing about offering fresh juice is that you can offer seasonal juicing ingredients from papaya, mango to year-round staples like banana, oranges, and apple.

Further Reading: How to Choose The Best Location for Your Coffee Shop

Delicious Coffee Shop Menu Ideas

16. Soda Pop

You'd be surprised how many customers walk into a coffee shop and just want a Coke or Pepsi. So, it would be best if you considered having staple sodas to satisfy thirsty customers. Soda pop is a low-risk inventory purchase that usually doesn't have problems selling in many locations, so it doesn't hurt to keep soda options on hand to close that sale.

17. Energy Drinks

Energy drinks have been popular since the late 1980s. Since then, energy drinks have evolved to have various flavors, caffeine content, and costs. They have also evolved into syrups-based drinks. So having cans of popular brands is not a bad idea.

You may also want to consider some fantastic plant-based energy syrups that can provide you with many different energy drink options.

Energy-drink beverages – including those made by syrups – are very popular with drive-thru coffee shop businesses. The great thing about energy drinks is that they promote mid-day sales to keep your daily sales coming in.

18. Beer & Wine

Adding beer, wine, or spirits to your coffee shop menu adds a robust revenue stream. There are some obvious advantages to serving alcohol at your coffee shop – the first being high profit margins. But more importantly, you are providing a product that your customers want.

So whether you are setting up a coffee shop or opening a coffee and wine bar, you'll spread a wide net to capture more sales.

19. Sangria

Adding a sangria to your coffee shop menu can steal the show. You are no longer just a coffee shop that competes with corporate coffee chains, but rather, you are a sophisticated café that offers delicious sangria made in-house – that competes with no one!

Delight your customers with your special recipe, provide them the ambiance they need to relax and enjoy themselves for the evening, and openly keep your coffee shop long after the sun goes down.

 If you are interested in serving alcohol at your coffee shop, read our post, Should You Serve Alcohol at Your Coffee Shop.

20. Horchata

Mmm… the taste of sweet goodness, Horchata is a wonderful addition to your coffee shop menu board. This rice and cinnamon drink is delightful for customers, young and old!  

Delicious Coffee Shop Menu Ideas

Non-Coffee Beverage Ideas for Your Coffee Shop & How to Market Them!

Your Coffee Shop Menu Board

Your coffee shop menu board is often the first to communicate your menu options.

Therefore, closely behind your barista, it is among the most powerful communication tool you will have.

Depending on your vibe and branding, you will want to create a menu board that resonates well with your customers. Whether you decide to make it yourself or have it manufactured, position your menu board to highlight all the available menu choices for your customer.

For more information on developing your menu board, please read How to Design Your Coffee Shop Menu Board.

Marketing Your Beverages

We've just listed numerous non-coffee menu items that you can serve at your coffee shop. Indeed, there are plenty more items you can serve, too.

Whichever items you choose to serve, make sure your customer knows about it. Of course, you will want to put your things on a menu board, but you will also want to market your beverages and food items.

As a coffee shop owner, you have several effective ways to promote your coffee shop and effectively market your beverages.

1. Your coffee shop menu board

Having the main menu board that displays your menu offerings will be a critical way to communicate your menu items, drive sales, and increase profits.

2. Interior displays

Posters, signs, or displays can grab the immediate attention of customers. Such presentations can be very effective at influencing what your coffee shop customers order.

While they may walk into your coffee shop for an Americano – they may be swayed to get your vanilla oat latte or organic hot cider instead after seeing your display!

3. Exterior signs

Exterior signage can be an effective way to bring customers in – especially during holidays and seasonal events. However, be sure that the signs don't violate any city codes or zoning regulations and that they fit with your branding.

4. Table tents

Small table tents can promote a variety of items that's not currently on your menu. Table tents are effective because they get the attention of your customers seated at the table. However, table tents are the most effective when customers can see the advertisement before ordering.

5. Sampling items

Handing out small cups for your customers to sample menu items may be a great way to get them to buy something they've never tried before.

Often, customers will order their “usual” item because they know how it will taste.

Some customers are wary of ordering new menu items because they don't know what they're getting. However,  you can provide them with a sample that entices them to try your new menu item.

6. Social media posts

Social media posts can be an effective way to promote your new coffee shop menu items. They are also a great way to promote your signature drink or traditional menu items too!

Sometimes, your social media posts can be just as effective as those interior displays, exterior signs, and table tents!

7. Email marketing

Email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to reach your coffee shop customers.

If consumers are familiar with your business and provide you with their email addresses, you can let them know about any upcoming events and new menu items that they would like to try.

Pro tip: I recommend adding an occasional coupon to entice clicks and customer sales.

8. Text messages

A text message promoting your coffee shop's special menu items can be very effective – especially if your text message offers a coupon or discount.

While a little more invasive than an email, a text message can quickly and cheaply reach your customers. I recommend that you first get customers' permission to send out text messages and then do so sparingly. The last thing you want to do is annoy your customers.

Still, sending out a short text message promoting your items with a coupon or discount is a great marketing tool.

9. Setup a coffee shop website

Your website is an excellent communicative tool to promote all of your menu items in great detail. While you might already have your social media accounts, they should all point to your coffee business website.

We highly recommend utilizing your coffee business website to promote your items, unique ingredients, and even how your products are made.

For more information, please read our post, How to Setup Your Coffee Shop Website (The Easy Way.

10. Coupon advertisement (Papers and Mailers)

Don't brush off traditional advertising opportunities in places like the local paper or through social media. But, on the other hand, coupons in local papers or mailers can be an extremely effective way to get the attention of local customers.

11. Upselling

Your barista can be your biggest marketing asset.

Customers often rely on baristas to recommend items for them to try. Train your coffee shop baristas that part of their job is to help customers decide on what they want to order. You'll find that a little investment in training your baristas will pay off with less turnover, more sales, and better products.

Having a wide variety of options can paralyze a customer's decision. But with a bit of help from a barista, you can increase your sales while giving your customers the beverage and experience they need.

For more information, read our post, How to Hire Amazing Baristas for Your Coffee Shop.

Coffee Shop Menu Ideas

Coffee Shop Beverage Menu Ideas (And How to Market Them!)

Conclusion:

If you are taking the first steps to open your coffee shop, you'll want to dedicate some time upfront to developing your menu. Start with the essential menu items that your customers will love and move outward from there. Consider offering non-coffee items to help drive sales.

There are so many non-coffee beverage ideas for your coffee shop.

Even customers who love coffee can also be in the mood to try something different. It's essential, therefore, to offer non-coffee beverages at your coffee shop to capture additional sales. Having more excellent menu ideas and menu options can improve your coffee shop sales and profitability.

Are You Ready To Get Started?

Unlock Your Dream Coffee Shop Business with Our Exclusive Coffee Shop Startups Kit!

Ready to transform your passion for coffee into a thriving business? Look no further! Our Coffee Shop Startups Kit is your key to brewing success. Here's why you can't miss this opportunity:

35-Lecture Coffee Shop Business Course: Our kit provides a comprehensive A-to-Z lecture series that covers what you should know and how to plan your coffee business. No more guesswork – follow our proven roadmap for success.

Comprehensive Coffee Shop Business Guide: Our kit includes a detailed, step-by-step guide that takes you from creating your concept to your grand opening.

Expert Interviews and Insights: Benefit from insider tips and industry secrets that successful coffee shop owners and experts share during one-on-one interviews. Learn from the best to stay ahead of the competition.

 Business Essentials: We provide business plan templates, checklists, and resources to streamline your startup process. From permits to menu planning, we've got you covered.

Cost-effective Solutions: Save time and money with our expert advice and budgeting tips. Maximize your ROI and minimize headaches.

 Adaptable to Any Setting: Our kit is designed to suit various locations and customer demographics, whether you're eyeing a trendy urban spot or a cozy corner in a suburban neighborhood.

Includes Exclusive BONUS Material!

👉 Order Now and Begin Your Journey!

Don't let the complexities of starting a coffee shop overwhelm you. Our Coffee Shop Startups Kit is your ticket to entrepreneurial success. Take the first step towards owning a profitable and fulfilling coffee business today.

Join the thousands of successful coffee entrepreneurs who started with a dream and a great plan. Your journey to coffee shop greatness begins right here!

Comprehensive. Proven. Affordable.

The Complete Coffee Shop Startup Kit

(Instantly Delivered To You)

Complete Coffee Shop Kit Sales Graphic

Coffee Shop Startups

Based in Seattle, Washington, USA, Coffee Shop Startups is dedicated to providing you with the most relevant information on how to start a coffee shop business successfully. Over the last 11 years, we've helped thousands of aspiring coffee business owners worldwide. We harness the experience, wisdom, and knowledge of many successful coffee shop owners to help you increase your chances of success and profits. We support business owners who want to start a coffee business by providing them with valuable information on starting their coffee business successfully.