Beverage

Sweets to sip

Drinks that double as desserts are trending on menus.
Photograph: Shutterstock

Cocktails that can double as dessert have been popular ever since Irish coffee came on the scene, but this month, nonalcoholic drinkable desserts are hot. Consumers are in favor of the trend, finds Technomic: 51% say they would consider ordering a milkshake or malt as dessert if it was offered in a restaurant. These three new drinkable desserts hit the sweet spot with their focus on fall flavors.

• Pumpkin Shake at Johnny Rockets; a blend of pumpkin pie and vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream and cinnamon sugar

• Caramel Apple Milkshake at Steak ‘n Shake;an apple-flavored shake with hot caramel sauce poured over and into the drink

• S’mores Shake at Arby’s; a combination of the flavors of chocolate, graham cracker and marshmallow topped with whipped cream and Hershey’s chocolate syrup

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

For Starbucks, 2 years of change hasn't yielded promised results

The Bottom Line: The coffee shop giant’s sales struggles worsened earlier this year, despite a flurry of efforts to improve operations and employee satisfaction.

Food

Nando's Americanizes its menu a bit as U.S. expansion continues

Behind the Menu: Favorites like mac and cheese, bowls and salads join the fast casual’s Afro-Portuguese-rooted dishes, including the signature peri-peri chicken.

Financing

The consumer is cutting back, but not everywhere

The Bottom Line: Early earnings from major restaurant chains suggest the consumer has taken a distinct turn for the worse so far in 2024.

Trending

More from our partners