Tea & coffee focus: Some like it hot

An easy-to-use hot chocolate is set to boost the offering of hot drinks at the Leopard Inn in Burton upon Trent over the coming winter months.

Co-owner of the food-led town centre pub Yolande Rankin has been bubbling up a chocolatey treat since a product trial of Aero Instant Bubbly Hot Chocolate in March. The taste test on a Friday lunchtime saw customers invited to share their opinions on the beverage. Punters were impressed enough to persuade Yolande to continue selling the hot chocolate.

Now she expects its sales to really take off as Jack Frost casts his icy spell. The Aero drink sold enough over the summer to suggest it can be a real success. Even though the warm weather that followed March was not conducive to sales of hot drinks, she says that a number of the pub's regulars have been ordering it frequently.

"It's a really, really nice drink. It's bubbly and it tastes great. It's better than the brands we had been using before because there is no need for milk or sugar. It's less time consuming, which is crucial in busy periods. I expect it to be a big, big hit as it gets colder."

The Leopard sells a lot of tea and coffee, including speciality versions such as latte and cappuccino. As well as sales following a meal, the pub's hot drinks trade is driven by shoppers, as well as workers in the daytime and, at weekends, by people who drive.

"Drinking cola and soft drinks all the time is really boring. If you offer tea and coffee customers are always going to be impressed," says Yolande.

She serves the hot chocolate with marshmallows and squirty cream. Yolande says that brands she had been using before being persuaded to try out the Aero instant version often appeared watery. Aero's was bubbly and lively in comparison.

Aero has recently launched a hot milk variant of its instant hot chocolate. Yolande says she "would have a go".

"If it tastes 10 times better, I would consider it, but for convenience I would stick with the hot chocolate made with water," she explains.

Whatever method its owners choose to make their hot drinks, it is clear the Leopard is a pub making a real effort with tea, coffee - and, yes, even hot chocolate.