When the weather's warm, everyone's in search of new ideas for cold drinks. Luckily, you can expand your menu just by being creative with ingredients you already have in your shop. Add some of these suggestions to your summer menu or try them as a weekly special.

Flavored Iced Tea
Combine fruit syrups with iced tea for a refreshing twist. Popular flavors are raspberry, peach, and strawberry. Add 3/4oz (6 pumps) 1883 syrup to a 16 oz. glass of ice, fill with iced tea and mix.

Fruit Smoothies: Be Creative
To kick up your smoothie menu, add a few pieces of fresh fruit to a standard smoothie or blend two flavors together. Try these drink ideas from Dr. Smoothie:

Strawberry Porcupine

• 4 oz. Dr. Smoothie Strawberry
• 2 oz. water
• 12 oz. cup of ice

1. Blend
2. Add 2/3 oz. pineapple chunks
3. Pulse for 3 to 5 seconds

What are you doing for cold drinks?  If you are in the specialty coffee business, an effective cold drink menu is critical. Just look at the year-round success of drinks like the Caribou Cooler and Jamba fruit smoothies.

Iced coffees, blended iced drinks and smoothies are popular year round—and can increase sales and profitability in the summer.