Alcohol is one of the most lucrative menu items for any restaurant — so why offer it only for in-person meals? Cocktails to go are an easy way to increase the average order value for your takeout and delivery services. Plus, you’ll create a better experience for customers who want to enjoy an at-home happy hour with their food.

As we head into 2024, alcohol delivery is poised to be one of the biggest trends of the year. If you’re ready to expand your restaurant business, serving cocktails to go is an idea worth exploring. Let’s dive into the business benefits and discover the drinks that are most popular for delivery and takeout.

The benefits of offering alcohol and cocktails to go

Are you weighing the financial benefits of adding alcohol to your delivery and carryout menus? That’s a smart move — reconfiguring your operations takes both time and money, and you’ll likely need to earn an alcohol delivery certificate. As you consider the costs and potential profits, consider that alcohol delivery has been growing steadily since the pandemic. In fact, the market is expected to grow by $440.18 billion between 2022 and 2027.

Grubhub data also shows a clear payoff. After adding alcohol and cocktails to their Grubhub menus, restaurants see an impressive $14 to $15 increase in average order value. Given the high profit margins for alcohol, cocktails to go can boost your bottom line.

Your customers benefit, too. When you optimize your restaurant for beverage delivery, diners can order food and drinks from one place. The added convenience can give you a significant advantage over competitors that don’t offer to-go cocktails.

2023’s most-ordered alcohol and cocktail items

Wondering which cocktails to go you should add to your delivery menu? Here are the drinks Grubhub users ordered most often in 2023.

• Beer. Beer is the go-to drink for Grubhub customers — they love to pair lagers and IPAs with everything from spicy wings to juicy burgers. It’s perfect for restaurants, too; cans and bottles of beer are easy to stock and store, and they hold up beautifully during delivery. 
• Margarita. Frozen or on ice, margaritas are always a popular drink, especially if your restaurant serves Southwestern or Mexican cuisine. Too many flavors can be challenging for your bartenders. Instead, keep diners interested by offering a different special flavor every Taco Tuesday. Make sure to consider delivery constraints when you’re finalizing the menu — frozen margaritas are more labor-intensive and harder to deliver. For better quality, consider serving drinks on the rocks with a wedge of lime. 
• Hot sake. This warm Japanese rice wine has taken the restaurant industry by storm. It’s known for its high alcohol content and variety of flavors. The best part? Sake is available in small, delivery-friendly bottles; all you need to do is include heating instructions to provide a memorable customer experience.
• Piña colada. This sweet, tropical drink makes any delivery meal feel like a special occasion. Grubhub customers love the blend of rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. Whether you’re serving this classic cocktail blended or shaken, make sure to take steps to keep your drinks fresh while on the road.
• Sauvignon blanc. When it comes to wine, diners tend to prefer this light, fruity variety over others. The delicate flavors pair perfectly with foods like fish, cheese, salads, and veggie-heavy dishes. Because wine is available in sealed, single-serving bottles, it’s the ideal addition to your alcohol delivery menu.

Hello, 2024: Look into the mirrorball for alcohol and cocktail trend predictions

Before you can use takeout cocktails to boost your bottom line, you need to create a drink menu your customers will love. Use the latest alcohol delivery trends for inspiration.

1. Low-ABV and alcohol-free beverages

The alcohol-free spirit movement has been gaining momentum over the past year or so — and so is the “sober curious” trend, in which people consciously make an effort to drink less alcohol. About 38% percent of Americans follow this lifestyle closely or occasionally, and 54% wish restaurants would offer more nonalcoholic drinks.

As customers make an effort to control their alcohol consumption in 2024, it’s safe to expect a surge in creative “mocktails.” By offering alcohol-free beverages that are both beautiful and delicious, you can create an exciting experience for all your customers.

To capitalize on this trend, try a few strategies:

• Swap out liquor with alcohol-free spirits.
• Use fruits and herbs to create complex, elevated flavor profiles.
• Present drinks beautifully.
• Consider batched cocktails, such as nonalcoholic rum punch, for easier prep.

With a bit of effort, you can make mocktails feel like a special-occasion drink for both dine-in and delivery customers.

2. Spicy drinks

Take a look at a trendy cocktail menu and you’re sure to spot a wide range of flavor options. Gone are the days of overly sweet drinks — for 2024, savory and spicy cocktails are all the rage.

As you determine which drinks to add to your delivery menu, start with time-honored mainstays, such as Bloody Marys and dirty martinis with vodka. Then, pique customers’ interest with unexpected and trendy beverages, such as a ginger-basil bourbon smash or a jalapeño margarita. You can also spice up your signature cocktails by adding chili-infused liquor or blended peppers.

Consider making your own variations of spicy and savory carryout cocktails such as:

• Michelada with fresh lime juice
• Habanero Moscow mule
• Orange-carrot cocktail
• Spiced whiskey sour
• Pickle shots
• Gingerbread old-fashioned
• Spiced mai tai

Keep in mind that not all mixed drinks travel well; cocktail kits might be a better alternative for certain carryout cocktails. You can also consider replacing a high-effort alcoholic beverage with a bottled cocktail. 

3. Bright and bold cocktails

When it comes to cocktails, 2024 is all about big flavors. Bright and bold craft cocktails are a great way to make a lasting impression and keep diners coming back for more. They’re particularly well-suited to alcohol delivery — strong flavors often fare better in transit than more subtle recipes.

Try using ingredients such as:

• Lime, grapefruit, or lemon juice
• Bright fruits such as cranberries, mangoes, and raspberries
• Herbs including mint and basil
• Bitters

Take your cocktails to the next level by creating a full experience for your delivery and in-person guests. When drinks are aesthetically pleasing, customers are more likely to give you free publicity by posting photos and videos to Instagram or TikTok.

Grow your bottom line in 2024 with cocktails to go and other popular delivery trends

The first step in adding alcohol delivery and cocktails to go to your restaurant menu is to sign up with Grubhub for Restaurants. A Grubhub partnership includes easy online menu editing, built-in marketing tools, and resources to help you optimize your restaurant for beverage delivery. Plus, you’ll gain access to drivers who can deliver alcohol in compliance with state and local laws. Want to see it in action? Get started with Grubhub for Restaurants today.