Planning an event that people will actually remember requires serving up an exceptional beverage experience, and the menu is where you get to show off your quality and style. To deliver on this, a complete coffee cart menu must include more than just black coffee.

From classic espresso shots like americano and latte to trendy speciality drinks like matcha and hojicha, there are several options that can make your beverage menu appealing to your guests.

Coffee Menu Foundation: The Espresso Essentials

Building a coffee menu for your event starts with espresso-based drinks. These options cover the different types of coffee that most guests will enjoy, ensuring both popular varieties and fast service from your mobile cafe setup.

Black Coffee Staples

The foundation of the menu must include pure, intense black options. These drinks are perfect for the coffee purists and really let the quality  of the coffee bean shine:

• Espresso: The concentrated, pure shot that forms the base of all other beverages.
• Long Black or Americano: Diluted espresso for a classic, strong black coffee drink.

Milk-Based Classics

Milk-based classics are the most frequently requested items on any cafe menu and demand high-quality milk and technique. Also, the smoothness and texture of the steamed milk are critical for guest satisfaction. Some milk-based options you can consider include:

• Latte (Caffè Latte): The creamiest and mildest coffee flavour, it features the largest volume of steamed milk and only a thin layer of micro-foam on top.
• Cappuccino: One-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third thick, airy milk foam. This equal parts ratio also gives it a bolder coffee taste than a latte.
• Flat White: Uses less steamed milk than a latte and is topped with a very thin layer of velvety micro-foam that blends seamlessly with the espresso.

When you’re hiring a coffee cart, it’s not enough that the baristas know how to make latte art. Your coffee caterer should also use fresh, high-quality milk to achieve a rich, silky texture for your drinks. Furthermore, always offer guests options for customisation, such as requesting extra shots, specific temperatures, or adding a flavour syrup.

Premium Upgrades and Dietary Alternatives

A truly comprehensive mobile coffee cart menu ensures every guest is catered for, including those who prefer non-caffeine or non-coffee beverages. Therefore, make sure to include these options as well:

• Hot Tea: Offer a curated selection of premium hot teas from 1872 Clipper Tea Co., including English Breakfast, Earl Grey, peach, passionfruit, and peppermint.
• Hot Chocolate: Include a house-blended chocolate for a premium, rich, caffeine-free treat.
• Speciality Add-ons: To demonstrate high-end cafe options that appeal to modern taste preferences, include premium choices like matcha and hojicha.

It’s also essential to address the growing need for dietary options, and you can achieve inclusive menu options by making dairy-free alternatives available. For example, consider offering popular alternatives such as oat milk.

Snacking and Beverage Diversity

To ensure a complete experience for your guests, your service should offer more than just coffee. You should also include appealing snack options and a variety of beverages.

At Nineteen95, we offer the following for our coffee cart menu:

• Snack Options: Easy-to-grab food items can complement the coffee service. You can choose from options like blueberry crumble and double chocolate muffins, or customise your snack choices according to your specific event theme.
• Iced Drinks: In addition to hot beverages, you can also include iced options for outdoor events or hot days. For example, you can include iced shaken chocolate, bottled cold brew, matcha, or hojicha on your menu.
• Non-Coffee Alternative (Frothtea): For those seeking an alternative to coffee, Nineteen95’s sister brand, Frothtea Bubble Tea, offers diverse beverage options for events, ensuring non-coffee drinkers are equally satisfied.

The Recipe for a Great Event Coffee Cart

The ideal menu for any function goes far beyond simple brewing. A truly comprehensive mobile coffee cart experience includes classic espresso, speciality teas, premium matcha, essential iced beverages, and complementary snacks.

With Nineteen95, you can expect this level of variety alongside high-quality coffee beans from Colombia, fresh barista milk, coffee craftsmen’s skills, and high-volume speed.

Ready to create the perfect beverage menu for your next function? Contact Nineteen95 today for a tailored quote and discover how our fully customisable menu can elevate your corporate event or wedding reception.