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Why Bars and Hotel Bars in Graubünden are now Opting for Ready-to-Serve Cordials
Bar Column | thecrafts.ch | Special Drinks for Graubünden, Eastern Switzerland & Liechtenstein
It's Friday evening, 8:45 PM. The Chesa Veglia in St. Moritz is full, the Powder Room at the Kempinski is in full swing, and at the hotel bar of the Landgasthof in Prättigau, the service employee is alone behind the counter — the actual bartender has called in sick. Three guests order cocktails simultaneously.
It is precisely at this moment that it becomes clear who is prepared and who is not.
The Reality Behind Graubünden's Bars
Graubünden is a holiday destination. What means relaxation for guests from all over the world is often a logistical tightrope walk for the hotel industry: seasonal peaks, changing staff, multilingual guests with high demands — all at the same time. Whether it's a boutique hotel in Flims, a mountain resort in Arosa, or a village bar in Scuol: anyone who is not efficiently set up in the beverage sector loses revenue and guests.
The non-alcoholic wave doesn't make it any easier — it makes it more complex. Mocktails are now on every menu that prides itself on quality. But real mocktails require ingredients, recipes, and a delicate touch. And that's true even when the trained bartender has finished their shift or simply wasn't scheduled.
Dark 'N Spicy 0% — the Cordial that Thinks Ahead
Weekend® has addressed this very gap. The result is Dark 'N Spicy 0% Cordial — an alcohol-free cocktail base syrup, developed by professional mixologists for professional use.
What's in it? The typical flavors of a classic Dark 'N Stormy: spicy ginger, dark caramel notes, a hint of lime, and the unmistakable kick usually associated with dark aged rum. All without alcohol. 0% Vol.
And how to use it? Incredibly simple:
1 part cordial + 4 parts sparkling water + ice + lime = done.
One 1-liter bottle yields 20 bar-quality cocktails. No shaker needed. No recipe to memorize. No ten ingredients on the counter.
Who is this for?
Not for the world-class bartender in a grand hotel — they don't need it. But for everyone else:
The hotel bar with seasonal staff in Davos or Lenzerheide, where in December someone fills in who has never mixed a cocktail. With the Weekend Cordial, they can produce a professional-tasting result in 30 seconds.
The restaurant with a wine list but no bar concept in Chur or Thusis, that still wants to offer non-alcoholic options without investing in staff or training.
The mountain hut at 2,000 meters in Laax or Savognin, which doesn't have space for ten bottles of spirits, but still wants to offer a good selection.
The event caterer at the polo tournament in Bad Ragaz or a corporate event in Pontresina, who needs to serve 200 people quickly and reliably.
The family hotels in Flims Waldhaus or Brigels, where children and their parents alike want a nice drink.
The Argument That Counts: Profitability
A classic non-alcoholic cocktail with fresh ingredients costs CHF 3–5 to produce, takes 3–5 minutes, and requires expertise. The Weekend Dark 'N Spicy 0% Cordial costs less to produce — with the same or better quality consistency.
Selling price in the hotel bar: CHF XX. The margin is real.
In addition: A 1-liter bottle is easy to store, has a long shelf life after opening, and produces hardly any waste. No leftover ginger to be thrown away. No opened lime bottle that spoils.
Graubünden and the Non-Alcoholic Trend
The canton of Graubünden is proud of its culinary traditions. Bündnerfleisch, local wine from Maienfeld, craft beer from local microbreweries — quality has a long tradition here. But Graubünden also follows the national and European trend: the proportion of guests who consciously abstain from alcohol is continuously growing. Pregnant women, drivers, active sports enthusiasts, religious tourists — and simply people who want to sleep well and be back on the slopes the next morning.
These guests don't want mineral water. They want something that looks and tastes like a real drink. Something that shows respect. Something that says: You are just as welcome as everyone else.
A cordial like the Weekend Dark 'N Spicy 0% is exactly that answer.
Ready. Set. Serve.
The message is clear: Good drinks don't require long preparation times, expensive training, or an extensive list of ingredients. They need clever preparation — and the right product on the shelf.
Weekend® Dark 'N Spicy 0% Cordial is that product. For the hotel bar in Pontresina. For the mountain restaurant in Flims. For the catering stand in Davos. For anyone who wants to serve quickly, professionally, and without stress.
Because guests don't wait. And good hosts know that.
Weekend Cocktails are available through thecrafts.ch — with delivery throughout German-speaking Switzerland, Graubünden, Liechtenstein, and Eastern Switzerland.
thecrafts.ch | Special Drinks & Craft Beers / Graubünden For private customers, gastronomy, and hotels