How to prepare hot drinks alternative to coffee

Coffee is undoubtedly the signature beverage of Italian cafés, but it’s not the only option capable of winning over customers. More and more people are seeking alternatives that can surprise the palate, offer new sensory experiences, or meet specific dietary needs. Hot drinks that serve as alternatives to coffee not only enrich the menu but also provide a real opportunity to differentiate your establishment and appeal to a wider range of tastes.

Hot Chocolate, matcha, and chai latte

Hot chocolate is a timeless classic that knows no season. Creamy, velvety, and comforting, it is an irresistible treat on the coldest days and a refined alternative to coffee. It can be served in its traditional form or creatively reimagined with the addition of spices like cinnamon or chili, or enhanced with citrus zest for a gourmet touch.

For those looking to diversify their menu, our Portioli range includes varieties that cater to different tastes: from classic hot chocolate, perfect for lovers of authentic flavours, to dark chocolate, intense and bold, and even white chocolate, delicate and surprising. These options allow you to offer customers a tailored experience, turning a simple drink into a special moment.

Alongside hot chocolate, the matcha latte has gained increasing popularity in recent years. Originating from Japan, this drink is made with powdered green tea and milk either dairy or plant-based. Matcha latte is appreciated not only for its vibrant colour but also for the energizing and antioxidant properties of matcha.

Another highly requested option is the chai latte, rooted in Indian tradition: a spiced infusion of black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, sweetened with warm milk. Aromatic and enveloping, it is perfect for those who enjoy bold, spicy flavours.

Aromatic herbal teas

When temperatures drop, herbal teas become the perfect way to warm both body and spirit. The combinations offered by Portioli provide a wide range of flavours, capable of satisfying every taste and moment of the day.

The sweet and fruity notes of peach tea or cream-and-strawberry tea offer a light, indulgent break, ideal for those seeking a relaxing, caffeine-free beverage. For those who prefer more intense aromas, options like liquorice, cinnamon, or the enveloping scent of gingerbread are perfect for brightening the coldest days.

There are also blends with digestive and refreshing properties, such as fennel and anise, designed to accompany meals, as well as more vibrant infusions like pomegranate and cherry, rich in colour with a slightly tart taste.

Thanks to this variety, every café can enhance its menu with aromatic, ever-changing options, creating sensory experiences that go beyond traditional coffee.

Enhancing the menu with creative options

Including hot drinks as alternatives to coffee on the menu doesn’t just broaden the offering it also gives the café a more modern and inclusive identity. Increasingly, people are looking for caffeine-free products, vegan options, or drinks made with healthy ingredients. A menu featuring gourmet hot chocolate, matcha, chai latte, herbal teas, and infusions becomes more versatile and capable of attracting a wide and diverse audience.

Creativity makes all the difference: experimenting with unusual combinations, offering seasonal versions (for example, white chocolate with mint during the holiday season), or serving drinks in carefully chosen cups and glasses enhances the customer experience.

Enriching your menu with these alternatives means not limiting the warm-beverage break to coffee alone, but turning each drink into a small sensory journey.