The Bar & Restaurant Expo is always a whirlwind—and this year in Vegas was no exception. From the moment the exhibit hall doors opened, we were slammed. Fortunately, our team was ready, our bubblers were bubbling, and our slushies were spinning.
A Booth That Popped
Our vibrant setup turned heads, and the Dragonfruit Mango Lemonade stole the show. Almost everyone who came by tried it—and many circled back for seconds. Attendees were drawn to the eye-catching color, real fruit specks, and most of all, the refreshing taste.
Premium Flavor, Smart Price Point
One thing was clear: bar and restaurant managers are looking for premium ingredients that help them stand out with customers, without blowing their margins. Our real fruit options hit that sweet spot: clean labels, vibrant flavors, and a price point that makes sense. Compared to other fruit products on the market, our Pourable Fruits and aseptic purees offer a compelling blend of quality and value.
The Slushy Effect
Our slushy machines drew constant attention. People weren’t just into the drinks—they wanted to know how the setup worked. Questions about equipment, functionality, and how to recreate the experience back at their own venues poured in (pun intended). From taprooms to sports bars to family-style restaurants, slushy machines are having a moment. If you’re interested in installing your own machine, ask us about our equipment program.
Hot Topics on the Show Floor
From tea vendors and DJs to decor trends and tech-forward booths, this year’s show emphasized the importance of the bar and restaurant experience. Guests are hungry for differentiation. Whether through bold garnishes (which we got asked about a lot!), premium ingredients, or a signature cocktail, bar and taproom managers are trying to create something memorable. As one attendee put it: “If I’m going to go out and spend money on a drink, it better be a damn good drink.”
Interest in non-alcoholic options and mocktails continues to rise, and we saw fewer alcohol-heavy booths and more zero-proof and low alcohol options than ever before.
Our Favorite Surprises
The weirdest product we saw at the expo was a fundip style powdered mixer, worn in a pouch around the neck. The pouch is a clever replacement for disposable cups at parties and events. A fun surprise? We spotted quite a few competitors swinging by our booth—multiple times. We’ll take that as a compliment!
DOT Who?
The most frequently asked question at our booth? “Where can I get this?” For independents especially, the answer wasn’t always obvious. Many didn’t know about DOT Foods, our national distributor for our foodservice products. So here’s a quick reminder: if your foodservice distributor doesn’t carry us, ask them to order through DOT. (Reach out and we’ll happily provide DOT numbers!). Or, check out our online shop for our aseptic purees, concentrates, and shelf stable Pourable Fruits.
Parting Thoughts
We left the show energized and inspired. From Dragonfruit Mango to Marion Blackberry, our real fruit offerings helped attendees see the possibilities in fresh, flavor-forward ingredients. Whether you’re building a new mocktail menu, looking to craft a signature cocktail, or just trying to bring a premium feel to your beverage program—Oregon Fruit is here to help you make it stand out.