Consumer interest in healthy bone broth beverages has created a demand for savory cocktails called "stocktails" that add similar benefits to the experience of drinking alcohol. KFC UK and Ireland has quickly capitalized on the idea of stock-based cocktails by crafting a series of recipes that can be made with its iconic KFC gravy. These recipes include The Gravy Mary, which is made with vodka, The Finger Lickin’ Sour with mezcal, and the Bourbon-based Southern Twist.
While The Gravy Mary calls for some fairly standard ingredients that go into the making of a classic Bloody Mary—such as tomato juice, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and celery salt—the savory cocktail recipe also lists 20ml of KFC gravy as a key add-in. To serve, the fried chicken chain suggests that those who make the cocktail present it in a highball glass and garnish it with a "skewer of popcorn chicken."
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Stocktails
- The rise of stocktails, savory cocktails made with bone broth or gravy, presents an opportunity for innovative beverage creations.
- Healthy Drinking
- The demand for healthier beverage options, such as gravy-based cocktails fortified with bone broth, opens up possibilities for nutritious and flavorful drinks.
- Crossover Cuisine
- The intersection of food and beverage in recipes like KFC's gravy-based cocktails showcases the potential for blending different culinary trends to create unique experiences.
Where This Applies
- Food & Beverage
- The food and beverage industry can explore the creation of innovative, stock-based cocktails that cater to the demand for unique flavor profiles.
- Alcohol
- The alcohol industry has an opportunity to expand its offerings by incorporating savory components like KFC gravy into cocktail recipes.
- Fast Food
- Fast food chains can tap into the trend of stocktails to develop new menu items that combine the convenience of fast food with the flavors of savory cocktails.
