Carbonate, Inc.

Mentos & Coke is a free column in our new publication, Insight Out, bringing you a handpicked roundup of fun, fascinating, and fizz-worthy articles. From OpenTable’s newly found cool-kid status, to Duolingo’s unhinged (and successful!) marketing stunt, to the continued Yelpification of TikTok, check out the stories we can’t stop talking about - https://lnkd.in/giEhFuxY #CarbonateInsights #InsightOut #CarbonateTrends #Substack #Newsletter

Immersive, over-the-top themed cocktail experiences are popping up across the country. Think retro-inspired cocktails on a 70s tour bus, or a 90s video store themed drinking destination. These (often ticketed) concepts offer a dash of nostalgia, a touch of kitsch, and plenty of Instagrammable moments. But will their flash-in-the-pan appeal outlast the novelty? Learn about Blast-to-the-Past cocktail experiences and subscribe to our new publication, Insight Out, to get articles about the latest trends we’re watching - https://lnkd.in/gPHT42yn #CarbonateInsights #InsightOut #CarbonateTrends #Substack

Amid all the noise—brands shouting for attention with the loudest, busiest designs—we’ve come full circle. Now, the packaging that truly stands out is often the one that says the least. Minimal, refined, and honest. Fewer words, less fluff. A moment of calm in a chaotic sea of "pick me" messaging. Dive into packaging’s less-is-more era—and what it means for brands today—in our second micro-report - https://lnkd.in/eySV5X4S #CarbonateInsights #InsightOut #CarbonateTrends #Substack #Newsletter

Ok, Boomer is back! We’re breaking down how “sludge content” is leading to a radio resurgence, the intersection of scratch cooking and the ‘trad wife’ movement, and an obligatory post-mortem for anyone in social marketing: Poppi’s failed vending machine influencer campaign. Does all of this sound like gibberish? All the more reason to read on https://lnkd.in/gZAx-b6R #CarbonateInsights #InsightOut #CarbonateTrends #Substack

The coolest cuisine of 2025? It’s straight from the Alps. Once reserved for themed restaurants and ski lodges, suddenly Alpine foods are appearing in places you’d never expect—from fine dining restaurants, to global chains. Learn how this hearty cuisine went from kitsch to cool + a look at some of the trending dishes taking hold. Read this article + more in issue #2 of Insight Out! New subscribers get a week free trial at CarbonateInsights.com #CarbonateInsights #InsightOut #CarbonateTrends #Substack

In our 2025 Hospitality Trends Report (released back in December), we called “Kataifi Creations” as the dessert of the year—citing the Dubai Chocolate Bar, and the rise in all-things pistachio, as the catalyst for the craze. Since then, the chocolate bar filled with pistachio cream and crispy threads of kataifi (shredded phyllo dough) has become an even more viral sensation worldwide. Both independent restaurants/bakeries and major chains are now reinterpreting the flavors and ingredients in everything from cakes, to ice cream, and even cocktails! Below are a few of our favorites… D'avant Bakery (Palisades Park, NJ) - Dubai Chocolate Buttercream Cake - chocolate cake sandwiched with chocolate ganache, chocolate buttercream, and kataifi mixed with pistachio cream. [slide 3] Anita Gelato (International) - Greenberry - strawberries, pistachio cream, chocolate, and crunchy kataifi. [slide 4] ONE Spot Lounge (Methuen, MA) - Dubai chocolate martini - Baileys Chocolate, Mozart. Rimmed with kataifi, blended pistachio nuts, & pistachio cream. [slide 5] Crome (London) - Dubai Chocolate French Toast - French toast with kataifi, pistachio sauce, Nutella sauce and crushed pistachios. [slide 6] Brunch By De Martino (Somerville, NJ) - Dubai Chocolate Pancakes - Chocolate pancakes topped with homemade pistachio butter and pistachio cream, drizzled with milk chocolate sauce, toasted pistachios and toasted kataifi. [slide 7] Have you seen Dubai Chocolate inspired dishes near you? Let us know in the comments! #CarbonateTrends #afcoTrends #DubaiChocolate #DubaiChocolateBar #Katafi #Pistachio #Chocolate

Believed to be the birthplace of coffee cultivation & trade, Yemen has a distinct and vibrant coffeehouse culture that’s on the rise in the U.S. These often late-night and alcohol-free spaces serve traditional Yemeni drinks and pastries, alongside modern creations—using real, high-quality ingredients. ?? Haraz Coffee (International) - Iced Pistachio Latte from this growing chain with 10 locations, and 128 signed locations opening soon, including in Austin and NYC. [slide 4] ?? Delah Coffee (San Francisco, CA) - Serves unique refreshers with Yemeni-inspired flavors. Delah has four locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. [slide 5] ?? Qahwah House (National) - Honeycomb Bread from this growing family-owned chain of Yemeni coffee shops based in Michigan, with locations in CA, IL, NJ, NY, and TX. [slide 6] Did we miss your favorite Yemeni Coffee House? Tag them in the comments! BTW - Check out our 2025 Hospitality Trends Report for more emerging trends across food, beverage, hospitality, design, and social media: https://lnkd.in/gw9867t3 #CarbonateTrends #afcoTrends #Coffee #YemeniCoffee

Often known as the halfway point between the Bay Area and Tahoe, Vacaville is? much more than just a stop along the way. For its 2025 Restaurant Week, Visit Vacaville wanted to shake things up—so we helped make that happen. Our team crafted a strategic campaign and fresh new look to attract more participating restaurants, drive business to the local community, and position Vacaville as a must-visit dining destination. We branded the event “Taste of Vacaville,” developing key messaging focused on food and community as a way to bring people together. From event activation ideas to a unique visual language, our goal was to generate excitement, drive participation, and entice visitors to make the trip. Check out the full project: https://lnkd.in/gbcSfVc7 #carbonateagency?#hospitalityagency?#branding?#brandidentity?#branddesign?#brandstrategy?#restaurantbranding?#graphicdesign?#visualidentitydesign?#customillustrations?#conceptdevelopment

In-line with America’s love for over-the-top indulgence and Instagrammable creations, the buttery pastry has now become an edible vessel for holding a variety of other dishes and desserts. ?? Lode Pies (Sydney, Australia) - Yuzu custard & toasted coconut cheesecake, croissant tart shell. [slide 1] ?? Cafe W Bakery (Queens, NY) - Onigiri croissant. [slide 3, photo credit @jackiectam on Instagram] ?? San Sabino (New York, NY) - Neapolitan Lobster Roll (served in a lobster tail pastry). [slide 4] ?? Yellow The Cafe (New York, NY) - Jammy Egg Shakshuka Croissant. [slide 5] ?? Miller and Lux Provisions (San Francisco,CA) - Croissant Ice Cream Cone. [slide 6] ?? Lakon Paris Patisserie (Boston, MA) - Hot Chocolate in a croissant. [slide 7] Did we miss your favorite bakery? Tell us in the comments! BTW - Check out the af&co. & Carbonate 2025 Hospitality Trends Report for more emerging trends across food, beverage, hospitality, design, and social media. #CarbonateTrends #afcoTrends #Croissant #Croissants #Pastry #StuffedCroissant #CroissantLover

Whether you call it a Freezer Martini, Icebox Martini, or simply a “Cold A$$ Martini” (looking at you, Bar Bonobo), these frosty ‘tinis are the variation du jour, popping up on menus across the country ?? Martinis should always be ice cold, but they often aren’t. Freezer Martinis are problem solvers—pre-batched, and stored in freezing temps, they help make service snappy, and ensure a properly chilled and well-blended cocktail every time ?? Where are we seeing these frigid libations on menus? ?? Valerie (New York City, NY) - Has an entire section of Freezer Door Martinis, including the “Bleu Martini” with bleu cheese washed navy strength gin, Gin Mare, dry vermouth, olive trio. [slide 3] ?? Wild Child (Shawnee, KS) - Serves the “Coldest Martini In Kansas” with gin, Spanish olive & caper distillate, dry vermouth, coldness. Yes, coldness is listed in the menu description! [slide 4] ?? Anton’s (New York City, NY) - Offers pre-bottled and chilled “Icebox” Martinis, Manhattans and Negronis as a core part of their beverage program. [slide 5] ?? The Butterscotch Den (Sacramento, CA) - Their Freezer Martini is only $6 when temps reach 100+ degrees. [slide 6] Have you seen freezer martinis on a menu near you? Tell us in the comments! BTW - Check out the af&co. & Carbonate 2025 Hospitality Trends Report for more emerging trends across food, beverage, hospitality, design, and social media. #CarbonateTrends #afcoTrends #Martini #FreezerMartini #FrozenMartini #Martinis #EspressoMartini #IceboxMartini