The hot and beautiful days of summer are upon us. Sun-swept beaches, mountain lakes, and neighborhood parks are in full swing. On a 100-degree day, which has been common for much of the country, loaded potatoes and briskets have lost much of their appeal.
In the dog days of summer, it’s about lighter, cooler fare. Orders for salads increase by almost a third. Seafood gains greater mentions on social media. Heavy pasta dishes engulfed in thick sauces give rise to pasta primavera and angel hair pasta, sprinkled with shrimp and tomatoes.
This summer, it’s all about oysters and spritzes.
Let’s check it out.
The Beverage of Choice
Yes, spritzes are in this season. With their light, refreshing flavors and easy transformation into a mocktail, how could they not be? Some of the spritzes making headlines are Aperol and Limoncello.
What other summer beverages are trending? According to Data from Toast’s July 2025 newsletter, 42% of restaurant guests ranked margaritas as the best summer drink, and over a third declared tequila the summer spirit winner. Another winner this summer? Frozen, slushy cocktails, with over 65% of guests saying they’re in love with them.
Can you create an all-encompassing cocktail that aligns with your guests’ current preferences? Yes, you can.
Create a slushy fruit base with frozen strawberries, watermelon, mango, or other summer fruits. Add some Aperol, tequila, and sparkling wine or soda water, and you have a summer drink to remember.
What are people pairing their spritz cocktails with?
Oysters, of course.
Tasting the Sea
Much like wine grapes change based on the area and climate they’re grown in, oysters are impacted by their surroundings. Called merroir, it describes how the flavor and characteristics of oysters change based on their marine environment. The climate, minerals, algae, depth of the tides, and sea floor composition all play a part in the oyster’s flavor profile.
For adventurous spirits, the changing flavors and light, fresh taste, reminiscent of the best days on the beach, have made oysters a highly sought-after menu item this summer. According to Technomic, the topic of oysters has increased by almost 12% over the past year.
And oysters aren’t just good for you, they’re also good for the environment. Nutrient-wise, they contain a rich profile of vitamins and minerals, like zinc, selenium, copper, iron, and vitamin B12.
Environmentally speaking, the World Wildlife Fund declared them the “unsung heroes in a changing climate.” As filter feeders, they significantly improve the quality of the water. As most oysters today are cultivated, they’re cleaning up the estuaries and other waterways where they are grown.
Cleaner water means a healthier ocean. A robust ocean environment absorbs more CO2 and generates approximately 50% of the oxygen we need. Oysters are also able to capture and store carbon dioxide, using it to build their shells. Just one oyster can filter and process up to 50 gallons of water each day.
Any other seafood trending this summer? Small plates of mini fish tacos and shrimp sliders offer the taste of the season in shareables, experiences that today’s guests enjoy.
The Talk on TikTok
Of course, restaurants looking to stay current with trends can’t ignore social media. So, what’s the word on TikTok? Frozen. Yogurt bark, fruity frozen sorbet bowls, and slushies with a dash of spirits are all in. Think matcha oat floats and pineapple-rum slushies.
Charcuterie boards are also trending toward lighter options, moving away from butter and meats and toward fresh herbs and lighter fare. Think cucumbers, feta, tomatoes, and basil, or fresh summer fruits paired with light cheeses, garnished with fresh herbs and edible flowers.
Tropical Flavors
Summers get busy, and not everyone has the time to visit their favorite tropical paradise. You can give them a glint of warm trade winds and turquoise-blue waters by adding some tropical flavors to your summer menu.
Popular options include guava mojitos, pineapple-guava mocktails, pineapple-mango salsa with grilled shrimp skewers, and guava-habanero glaze. Yum.
Life moves fast. Before we know it, it’s back-to-school time, and the changing leaves remind us of a passing summer season. Now’s the time to make the most of it and give your guests some seasonal flavors they’ll remember and appreciate.
