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The Coolest Cold Beverages

Imported sparkling waters, specialty chocolate drinks and chilled red wines are just a few of the popular sellers from retailers around the country.

Katie Lenhardt, A Southern Season, Chapel Hill, NC

Non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, ginger-flavored sodas and versatile drinks that double as mixers or cooking enhancers are what people are wild about these days.
Bay Beyond Get Beached Spiced Margarita Mixer
Dry Soda (Kumquat, Lavender, Lemongrass) (below)
The Ginger People Ginger Beer
Twelve Culinary Beverage
Vignette Wine Country  Sodas

Diane Dean & Danny Denzer, Epicure Market, Miami, FL

Customers crave items with less sugar such as unsweetened teas, and those that are high in vitamins and antioxidants like fruit-flavored water. Chefs and mixologists look for rare and exotic flavors that are refreshing and offer bright, new tastes.
ITO EN Oi Ocha Japanese Green Tea
NY2O bottled water
Ooba Sparkling Hibiscus and Lime
Sence Rare European Rose Nectar

Robert Forgas, Rollin Oats Market, Tampa, FL

Waters sell over other beverages, but customers want all-natural drinks that offer energy boosts or antioxidants in the form of juices or smoothies.
Guru Energy Drinks
Honest Teas
Lakewood All-natural Pomegranate Juice
Life Force International Body Balance Whole Food Supplement
Vitamin Water

Matt Caputo, Tony Caputo’s Market & Deli, Salt Lake City, UT

Cold beverages with strong flavors and multi-dimensional textures such as sparkling teas are popular. So are neutral waters that complement chocolate and cheese. Customers also stand by well-known imports. My picks are:
Golden Star Tea
Guerzoni Mosto d’Uva (grape juice)
Lauretana Water
San Pellegrino Limonata, Aranciata and Chinotto
Tony Caputo’s Cold Chocolate—Cool Mint and Mayan Chocolate

Red Wines to Serve Chilled

“Customers should know that there are a lot of lighter reds that are delicious when chilled lightly. They make a great alternative to traditional aperitifs and can also go nicely with salads, fish or foul. The following reds please crowds with their crispness and food friendliness: TarraWarra Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley in Australia; Chateau du Chatelard Fleurie and an Austrian wine called Martinshof Zweigelt.
-Tom Geniesse, Bottlerocket Wine & Spirits, New York City

Nicole Potenza Denis is a contributing editor to Specialty Food Magazine.