For years, brunch has been synonymous with bottomless mimosas, extravagant bloody marys, and other boozy beverages. However, drinks are subtly changing thanks to the growing sober curious movement.
Whether someone is abstaining from alcohol for health reasons, because they’re pregnant, in keeping with religious practices, or as part of “dry January,” — there are still plenty of booze-free beverages to add alongside traditional offerings, complementing your brunch menu this year.
Make It Swicy
More than half of Gen Z consider themselves “hot sauce connoisseurs.” In other words? The trend toward hotter, spicier dishes is here to stay. More specifically, many predict that swicy foods — or sweet and spicy combined — will dominate food trends in 2025.
When it comes to brunch, consider offering a swicy dish with a mouth-cooling beverage. For example, you could serve a hand breaded fried chicken and poached egg sandwich slathered in FLAVORSMITH® Sweet Heat Hot Honey, paired with an oat milk latte or iced Coda® cold brew coffee.
Tease the Tea
Consider turning to a different cup altogether — studies show tea is an increasingly popular beverage in the U.S., especially for millennial consumers. In fact, Whole Foods predicts* that tea — including new steeping formats and hot products — will increase in popularity in 2025.
Take advantage of the tea craze by offering a modern tea service for brunch. Consider pairing traditional breakfast teas (e.g., Earl Grey tea) with Guest House® Gourmet Pastries and baked goods. These pastries offer restaurants a simple yet premium solution for serving artisan-quality croissants and Danishes with minimal prep time.
If you want to change things up, try presenting an Instagram-worthy matcha tea service. Searches saw a spike in late ‘24 for colored matcha teas, such as orange matcha (up nearly 600%!), strawberry (up more than 200%), and blueberry (up 176%). Matcha pairs well with sweet and savory treats, like Entice® Stuffed Bites, for example. Indulge in the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Bite and the Apple Pie Bite, wrapped in flaky, pie-like dough, ideal for sharing or on-the-go treats. Or slice into the Hershey's® Double Chocolate Bite, a rich, decadent option that pairs a chocolate filling with a chocolate pastry shell, delivering a double dose of sweetness, perfect for dessert lovers!
Matcha’s earthy, slightly bitter notes balance the richness of chocolate and the sweetness of cinnamon and apple. Its natural richness also complements the savory bites, enhancing the flavors of sausage, cheese, and spiced beef.
Pack a Protein Punch
Living a healthy lifestyle continues to be a top priority for many consumers. In fact, studies predict that consumers will seek out even newer ways to increase their protein intake at meals (e.g., consider popular trends like the meteoric rise of cottage cheese on TikTok in ‘24).
This trend isn’t limited to food items, either. More people want to power up their water with supplements such as extra protein, electrolytes, and even chlorophyll. Consider offering a health-conscious food and drink pairing for the gym-goers visiting your restaurant. Mix cottage cheese with eggs for a breakfast protein bowl. Serve with cactus or coconut water for the perfect post-workout dish.
A Pretty Pickle
Cuisines from Southeast Asian countries — especially Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines — are primed to top the 2025 culinary forecast. Many of these foods satisfy upcoming trends – including a growing preference for pickling and fermentation. Experiment with similar flavors in brunch dishes, employing kimchi, pandan, or ube. For example, you could try serving Korean street toast with an ube latte.
Brunch trends are always changing. Have members of your staff evaluate brunch and beverage trends to see if they make sense for your menu!
*Whole Foods Market Trend Prediction 2025 Report
