A Guide to Cocktails on Tap for Your Business

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Dispensing Knowledge

What Are Kegged Cocktails?
A Guide to Cocktails on Tap for Your Business

Cocktails on tap are no longer just a buzzword—they’re a game-changing trend sweeping through bars, restaurants, and hospitality venues everywhere. If your establishment already serves alcohol, kegged cocktails could be the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

Offering fast, consistent, and efficient service, these pre-mixed drinks in kegs are helping businesses keep up with the demand for quality cocktails without sacrificing speed or flavor. But what are kegged cocktails? How do they work, and are they the right fit for your business? In this post, we’ll break it all down, covering the ins and outs of this must-know trend.

What Are Kegged Cocktails?

Kegged cocktails are pre-batched beverages stored in kegs, designed to be served quickly and efficiently, much like draft beer. Unlike traditional cocktails that are hand-mixed on the spot or bottled individually, kegged cocktails are crafted in larger quantities ahead of time.

This approach ensures consistency in flavor and quality with every pour. By eliminating the need for individual mixing during service, kegged cocktails streamline operations, reduce waste, and offer a faster, hassle-free way to deliver premium drinks to customers.

What Does It Mean When a Cocktail Is "On Tap"?

When a cocktail is "on tap," it means it’s dispensed through a system similar to how draft beer is served. Instead of mixing each drink to order, the cocktail is pre-batched and stored in a keg connected to a cocktail tap dispenser.

This setup allows bartenders to serve drinks quickly with the pull of a lever, delivering fresh, perfectly mixed pours every time. Much like draft beer, cocktails on tap ensure consistent quality and speed, making them an ideal solution for busy hospitality venues.

How Do You Set Up and Maintain Cocktails on Tap?

Setting up a cocktail tap system is easier than you might think and can be seamlessly integrated into your existing bar setup. Start by selecting a cocktail tap dispenser that suits your menu—carbonated cocktails will require a system with CO2, while non-carbonated options may use a simple nitrogen setup.

Once you’ve chosen your system, ensure kegs are stored at the right temperature, typically between 36–38° F, to maintain freshness and optimal flavor. Proper handling is key: always store kegs upright, and avoid excessive movement to prevent disrupting the batch.

When stored correctly, most kegged cocktails last 2–3 weeks, but regular cleaning and maintenance of the system will keep everything running smoothly. This includes rinsing lines after each keg and deep-cleaning components regularly to ensure every pour is as good as the first.

Understanding ‘Open Draft Lines’

The fastest-growing segment in U.S. draft lines is ‘open draft lines,’ which presents a massive opportunity for hospitality businesses to diversify their beverage portfolios and boost revenue. By utilizing open draft lines, establishments can expand their offerings to include cocktails, mocktails, or other innovative drinks, catering to a broader customer base and capitalizing on evolving consumer preferences.

The profit margins for these beverages are significantly higher compared to traditional mixed drinks, beer, or wine, especially when paired with the operational savings from reduced labor and minimized waste. This makes open draft lines not only a smart investment but also a powerful tool for increasing profitability and customer satisfaction.

What Gas Is Used for Kegged Cocktails?

The type of gas used to dispense kegged cocktails depends on the style of drink you’re serving, with nitrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2) being the most common choices. For still cocktails, like margaritas or sangrias, nitrogen is preferred because it delivers a smooth, gentle flow without adding carbonation.

On the other hand, CO2 is essential for carbonated cocktails, such as spritzes or mojitos, as it maintains the fizz and enhances the drink’s effervescence. Choosing the right gas not only ensures proper dispensing but also preserves the cocktail’s intended texture and flavor, creating a perfect pour every time.

Benefits of Kegged Cocktails for Hospitality Establishments

Below, we’ve outlined some of the top benefits of implementing a kegged cocktail system in your business.

Improved Efficiency

Kegged cocktails are a game-changer for hospitality establishments looking to boost efficiency without compromising quality. By eliminating the need for on-the-spot mixing, bartenders can serve drinks in seconds, reducing wait times and allowing staff to handle more orders during busy shifts. Pre-batched cocktails also minimize errors in measurements, ensuring every pour is consistent in taste and presentation.

This streamlined process frees up your team to focus on enhancing customer service, keeping operations running smoothly even during peak hours. Plus, with less time spent preparing individual drinks, you’ll see increased throughput, happier customers, and higher revenue potential.

Consistency

Kegged cocktails take the guesswork out of drink preparation, ensuring consistency with every pour. Since the cocktails are pre-batched, the flavor profile, alcohol content, and overall quality remain uniform from the first glass to the last. This eliminates variations caused by rushed mixing or differences in individual bartenders’ techniques.

For hospitality establishments, this means customers get the same perfectly balanced cocktail every time, building trust in your menu and brand. Consistency also helps maintain quality control, reduces waste from incorrect pours, and creates a seamless experience that keeps customers coming back for more.

Cost Savings

By pre-batching drinks, you reduce ingredient waste from over-pouring or incorrect mixing, which can quickly add up over time. The efficiency of serving from a tap also cuts down on labor costs, as bartenders spend less time crafting individual cocktails and more time serving customers.

Additionally, kegged cocktails simplify inventory management, making it easier to monitor usage and plan purchases accurately. With these savings, businesses can reinvest in other areas, such as expanding their menu, improving staff training, or enhancing the overall guest experience.

Scalability: Ease of Service

Kegged cocktails are a scalable solution that grows with your hospitality business, making it easier to meet increasing demand without compromising service quality. Whether you’re running a small bar or managing a high-volume venue, cocktails on tap simplify operations by reducing the need for extensive prep work and additional staff during busy periods.

With a simple pull of a lever, bartenders can serve consistent, high-quality drinks in seconds, ensuring quick turnaround times even when the crowd surges. This ease of service allows establishments to scale up for large events, seasonal promotions, or expanding menus without overburdening their team or sacrificing customer satisfaction.

Going Beyond Beer: The Pros and Cons of Adding Cocktails on Tap

When it comes to adding cocktails to your tap system, there are many factors to consider, but the pros outweigh the cons in terms of offering a better experience for your customers.

Pros

Using cocktails on tap offers several advantages for hospitality establishments, making it a smart choice for businesses looking to streamline operations and enhance their offerings:

Speed and ease of service: Cocktails on tap allow bartenders to serve drinks in seconds, improving service times and ensuring faster turnarounds during busy periods.
Consistent flavor profiles: Pre-batched cocktails eliminate variations in taste, guaranteeing that each pour is consistent and meets customer expectations.
Reduced labor in cocktail preparation: With drinks already mixed and stored in kegs, bartenders spend less time preparing cocktails, freeing them up to focus on customer interaction and other tasks.
Potential for unique marketing and menu differentiation: Offering cocktails on tap sets your establishment apart, providing an innovative and modern touch that can attract new customers.
Drink flights or cocktail flights: This is a great upsell opportunity, allowing customers to sample different cocktails in smaller portions, appealing to those wanting to try new drinks or experiment with flavors.

These benefits make cocktails on tap an excellent addition to your business, offering efficiency, consistency, and new ways to engage with customers.

Cons

While cocktails on tap offer numerous benefits, there are some considerations to keep in mind before implementing this system:

Initial cost of equipment and setup: Investing in a tap system and kegs for cocktails requires a significant upfront cost, which can be a barrier for some establishments.
Possible limitations on custom or seasonal cocktails: Since cocktails are pre-batched and stored in kegs, creating custom or seasonal drinks on the fly may be more difficult, limiting flexibility in your menu.
Requires regular maintenance and cleaning of tap lines: To ensure the quality and taste of your cocktails, tap lines need to be cleaned and maintained regularly. Failure to do so can lead to issues like clogged lines or off-tasting drinks, which can impact customer satisfaction.

These challenges should be considered when deciding whether kegged cocktails are the right fit for your business.

Do All Cocktail Recipes Work as a Kegged Cocktail?

Not all cocktail recipes are suitable for kegging, but many can work well with the right adjustments. Certain ingredients, like juices, can pose challenges. However, Micro Matic's product with SpinStick technology helps prevent settling by continuously mixing non-solid juices, ensuring they stay well-blended. This is particularly helpful for cocktails with citrus or other fruit-based liquids.

On the other hand, drinks that contain pulp or other perishable items may not be ideal for kegging, as they can spoil more quickly or clog the system. Similarly, cocktails with ingredients that spoil rapidly, such as dairy or fresh herbs, should be avoided in kegged form. With the right recipe selection, kegged cocktails can deliver a consistent, high-quality experience.

Make the Switch to Kegged Cocktails

Cocktails on tap are revolutionizing the hospitality industry, providing enhanced efficiency, consistent quality, and elevated customer satisfaction. By implementing a tap system, you can streamline service, reduce preparation time, and offer a unique, modern experience that keeps customers coming back. While there are considerations such as upfront costs and regular maintenance, the long-term benefits often outweigh the challenges—especially for establishments looking to meet the growing demand for more than just beer on tap.

If your business is ready to keep pace with this fast-growing trend and stand out in a competitive market, it’s time to consider the switch to cocktails on tap. Micro Matic’s innovative on-tap solutions, including SpinStick technology, can help you deliver high-quality, perfectly mixed drinks with ease. Contact us today to explore how our systems can help your business thrive.