Beverages come alive in the springBeverages come alive in the spring

Winter’s chill may linger in much of the nation, but peak season for lemonade and iced tea is approaching. It’s a time when many operators review beverage trends and groom their thirst-quenching lineups. Come spring and summer, the odds-on favorites are refreshers that are fruity, bubbly, not so sweet and better for you.   

Filling the bill are the three trendiest nonalcoholic beverages in the National Restaurant Association What’s Hot 2016 Culinary Forecast: housemade/artisan soft drinks, gourmet lemonade and specialty iced tea — such as Thai-style, Southern/sweet, flavored and matcha. 

Healthy alternatives

Such beverages tend to be modestly sweetened and made with natural ingredients. They appeal to the growing number of consumers who see...