TLDR

As March arrives, retail stores are stocking up on green accessories and "I'm Irish" t-shirts. Meanwhile, restaurants, coffee shops, and smoothie shops are gearing up for one of the most profitable days of the year – St. Patrick's Day.

Are you prepared for the next round of customers who will be wearing green shirts and are excited about the opportunity to play leprechauns, have fun, and celebrate all day long?

According to the National Restaurant Association, approximately 25 percent of Americans choose bars and coffee shops as their go-to places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Here are some suggestions to help ensure that your establishment attracts its rightful share of visitors.

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Introduction to St. Patrick's Day and Its Irish Roots

St. Patrick's Day, held annually on March 17th, commemorates Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Originally a religious feast day, St. Patrick's Day has become a celebration of Irish culture that people all over the world look forward to.

Traditional Symbols

Some of the symbols of St. Patrick's Day include shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, and the color green. The shamrock, a three-leafed plant, was used by St. Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity. Leprechauns are mischievous fairies from Irish folklore. Pots of gold and rainbows are linked to Irish mythology. Green attire, food, and drinks dominate the day.

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10 Creative Green Smoothie Ideas for St. Patrick's Day

If you own a smoothie shop, St. Patrick's Day is a perfect opportunity to get creative with green-themed offerings. You can whip up special featured smoothies using ingredients associated with Ireland and springtime. Customers will line up to try these limited-time sips that capture the festive spirit of the day.

Shamrock Smoothie

Blend spinach, banana, honey and almond milk for a naturally green smoothie. Top it with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder in the shape of a shamrock for an Insta-worthy creation.

Leprechaun Limeade

Combine lime juice, honey, mint leaves, and green grapes in a blender with ice for a refreshing leprechaun-approved limeade.

Emerald Elixir

For an energizing green potion, blend matcha green tea powder, mango, pineapple, and coconut water. The tropical flavors balance the vegetal notes of the matcha.

Pistachio Mint Chip

Blend pistachios, mint, spinach, maple syrup, plant-based milk, and mini chocolate chips for a creamy pistachio mint chip smoothie.

Golden Pot o’ Gold

Turmeric gives this smoothie a golden hue. Blend turmeric, ginger, mango, pineapple, coconut milk, and honey for an anti-inflammatory pot o’ gold.

Kiwi Green

Blend kale, kiwi, banana, and coconut water for an emerald-colored smoothie bursting with vitamins and minerals.

Green Monster

Kale, spinach, banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and plant-based milk create a creamy peanut butter banana shake-inspired smoothie with chocolatey undertones.

Green Dream

Almond milk, dates, spinach, and spirulina powder make a creamy blue-green smoothie naturally sweetened with dates.

Lucky Charms

For a fun treat, blend almond milk, spinach, and vanilla protein powder, then top with crushed Lucky Charms cereal marshmallows. Kids and adults alike will love this playful green smoothie.

Green Apple

Tart green apples, spinach, and yogurt or milk make a sweet and tangy green smoothie. Add a bit of honey if needed.

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5 Specialty Irish Coffees to Offer on St. Patrick's Day

Bailey's Irish Cream Coffee

A classic Irish coffee gets an indulgent twist with the addition of Bailey's Irish Cream. Combine one part Bailey's, one part Irish whiskey like Jameson, and hot coffee, and top it off with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Your customers will love this decadent treat.

Mint Irish Coffee

For a refreshing take on traditional Irish coffee, add one part crème de menthe, one part Irish cream liqueur, and one part Irish whiskey to hot coffee. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of mint leaves for an eye-catching garnish. The minty flavor pairs perfectly with the richness of the liqueurs and coffee.

Caramel Irish Coffee

Ireland meets Italy in this mashup of Irish coffee and affogato. Brew a shot of espresso over vanilla ice cream and pour it into a glass of hot coffee mixed with Irish whiskey and caramel sauce. Top with whipped cream and drizzle more caramel sauce over the top. The blend of coffee, whiskey, and caramel is deliciously decadent.

Chocolate Irish Coffee

Satisfy your customers’ sweet tooth with a chocolatey Irish coffee. Add chocolate syrup or chocolate milk to hot coffee and Irish whiskey, then top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. For an extra special treat, rim the glass with chocolate syrup or cocoa powder. Chocolate and coffee are always a winning combination.

Maple Irish Coffee

For a delicious taste of autumn, combine hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and maple syrup in a glass. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. The maple flavor pairs perfectly with traditional Irish coffee ingredients. Your customers will go nuts for this seasonal special.

Offering creative twists on the classic Irish coffee is a great way for coffee shops to boost sales on St. Patrick's Day. These specialty drinks are perfect for promoting via mobile apps and social media in the days leading up to the holiday. Your customers will love discovering new flavor combinations of coffee, whiskey, and delicious mix-ins. An Irish-themed ambiance and fun glassware can help make these specialty coffees even more enticing. With creative recipes like these, you'll have a very lucky St. Patrick's Day.

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Promoting Your St. Patrick's Day Drinks With Mobile Ordering

Mobile ordering during St. Patrick's Day allows customers to skip waiting in line and place orders directly through an app. According to studies, mobile orders increase by 130% and 70% of customers prefer ordering via mobile apps during St. Patrick's Day.

Offer Exclusive Discounts

To boost sales, offer exclusive discounts on St. Patrick's Day drinks for mobile app users. Discounts of 25% or more on featured green smoothies and coffees will drive customers to order through your app. Be sure to promote the discount through social media and email marketing leading up to St. Patrick's Day.

Send Push Notifications

Push notifications are messages sent directly to customers who have your mobile app installed. Send reminders about your St. Patrick's Day specials and discounts in the days leading up to March 17th. You can also send notifications on St. Patrick's Day to alert customers when the specials are available for order through the app. These timely messages will prompt more customers to open the app and place an order.

Streamline the Ordering Process

Make it easy for customers to find your St. Patrick's Day drinks in the mobile app. Feature them prominently on the home screen or in a special "St. Patrick's Day" category. Allow customers to order and pay right in the app so they can skip the line when they arrive to pick up their drinks. A fast, simple ordering experience will leave customers satisfied and eager to order through your app again.

Leveraging mobile ordering on St. Patrick's Day is a win-win. Customers get to avoid waiting in long lines and you get increased sales, higher check averages, and valuable customer data to help you plan promotions for holidays to come. With the right mix of discounts, messaging, and an easy ordering process, your St. Patrick's Day specials are sure to be a success.

St. Patrick's Day presents an opportunity for smoothie and coffee shops to boost sales with creative, limited-time green drink options. With some smart mobile and social marketing, shops can spread the word and bring customers in to celebrate with a bit of green.

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Final Thoughts

You don't need the luck of the Irish to make Saint Patrick's Day a success for your smoothie or coffee shop. With a little creativity and strategic planning, you can create signature green drinks, festive decor, and clever marketing campaigns that will have customers feeling the Irish spirit. So grab your shamrocks, put on some Celtic tunes, and get ready to turn March 17th into a pot of gold for your business.

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