The Rise of Green Tea Shots as the Top St. Patrick's Day Cocktail
According to Union's OnPrem Insights, the green tea shot has emerged as the most popular cocktail ordered during St. Patrick's Day, accounting for 24% of all cocktail orders. This trend has taken the hospitality industry by surprise, as Irish pubs and bars have traditionally been the epicenter of St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
The data also reveals that Irish car bombs are in third place for St. Patrick's Day cocktail orders, while Guinness has seen a significant increase in popularity in New York City, jumping from 7% to 24% on the holiday. These insights suggest that while traditional Irish beverages remain popular, the evolving preferences of consumers have led to the rise of unconventional cocktail choices like the green tea shot.
The Impact of St. Patrick's Day on the Hospitality Industry
St. Patrick's Day is one of the highest-grossing holidays for bars and restaurants in the United States, with on-premise sales more than doubling in 2022 across the board. According to the data, Irish pubs are the top performers on the holiday, with a 350% increase in sales last year.
The report also highlights the significance of St. Patrick's Day falling on a Friday this year, indicating that the festivities are likely to last later into the night and bleed into the weekend. This information is crucial for bars and restaurants to be prepared for the rush and ensure they have a well-stocked bar to meet the demands of their customers.