The News
CITREVE, a Utah-based company, has introduced Lemon Slices with Sugar + Mint as a new freeze-dried garnish. The product is made from peak ripeness lemons, handcrafted with sugar and mint, and freeze-dried over three days. It is intended for use in luxury cocktails and can reconstitute in liquid to infuse beverages with flavor. The product aims to reduce labor costs and eliminate waste in the food and beverage industry.
CITREVE’s newest offering—a freeze‑dried lemon slice infused with sugar and mint—arrives amid a surge in premium non‑alcoholic ready‑to‑drink (RTD) cocktails, which grew 12.3 % year‑over‑year in the U.S. off‑premise market【[BevNET/NOSH]bevnet.xn--com-003b]. At the same time, 68 % of full‑service restaurants cite labor costs as their top operational challenge【[National Restaurant Association]restaurant.xn--org-003b, making any product that cuts prep time especially valuable.
The freeze‑drying process captures roughly 97 % of the fruit’s original nutrients, allowing bartenders to rehydrate slices in a splash of water or spirit without compromising flavor【[Arctic Farms]arcticfarms.xn--com-003b. The slices are sold in full‑size jars ($33.45), tasting‑size packets ($18.95), and bulk cases for larger volumes.
Because the ingredient remains shelf‑stable, venues can keep larger quantities on hand, freeing space normally occupied by fresh produce and reducing waste. Rehydrated slices add a bright citrus note and subtle mint undertone to cocktails or mocktails, giving signature drinks a differentiator in an industry where RTDs are expanding rapidly.
From a distributor’s perspective, CITREVE presents a niche premium SKU that can command high margins on upscale accounts. The cost of raw lemons is modest relative to the $33.45 retail price, suggesting significant gross‑margin potential for retailers and distributors who target luxury cocktail menus.
The launch targets high‑end bars, boutique hotels, tasting rooms, and other upscale venues that value operational efficiency. Availability is currently limited to these spaces, positioning the product as a premium experience rather than a commodity garnish.
CITREVE’s freeze‑dried lemon slices respond directly to two industry pressures: labor cost containment and rising demand for premium non‑alcoholic offerings. For bar managers, they provide a low‑maintenance, flavor‑enhancing tool; for distributors, an attractive high‑margin SKU; and for consumers, a functional garnish that delivers quality without added calories or alcohol.
Original Press Release
CITREVE is a Utah-based company that provides freeze-dried solutions to pain points in the food and beverage industry by producing specialty freeze-dried garnishes. Through freeze-drying technology and professional chef insight, CITREVE has created shelf-stable citrus with the intention of reducing labor costs, saving time, and eliminating waste. Founder Chef Nettie Frank has over 20 years of experience as a professional chef and is using her knowledge of the industry to tackle citrus waste and create a better garnish that does more for your beverage.
CITREVE has recently welcomed a new item to its menu of freeze-dried fare. Made with luxury cocktails in mind, the Lemon Slices with Sugar + Mint are designed to catch the eye with their vibrant color and elevate the beverage with their bold flavor.
The new Lemon Slices with Sugar + Mint are freeze-dried at peak ripeness and maintain all the flavor, color, and nutrients of the original lemon. The slices are handcrafted, carefully sprinkled with sugar and freshly chopped mint leaves before the three-day preservation process.
These freeze-dried slices are a beautiful garnish as well as an ingredient. The freeze-dried citrus can reconstitute in liquid, which means it’s able to absorb whatever liquid it’s placed in and will infuse your beverage with flavor. The Lemon Slices with Sugar + Mint from CITREVE provide notes of zesty, aromatic lemon, elevated by cool mint, and finish with a subtle sweetness. This garnish would make an incredible addition to any citrus-forward cocktail.
With alcohol consumption on the decline, bars and restaurants are expanding their menus to include more mocktails and specialty non-alcoholic drinks, but the question arises: “How can we justify a price point that’s comparable to an alcoholic drink when there’s no alcohol?” CITREVE’S specialty garnishes are a cost-effective way to add value to your non-alcoholic beverages, providing an experience for your customer that is still special, elevated, and memorable.
CITREVE provides innovative solutions for the hospitality industry, cutting down on waste and labor in favor of ready-to-use, shelf-stable citrus. Their specialty freeze-dried fare goes beyond preservation; their products are designed for professionals and crafted with care.
Sources consulted (web research):
- New Specialty Freezedried Citrus Garnish
- Drinkit
- Tasting Size Freeze Dried Lemon Slices With Mint Sugar
- Freeze Dried Lime Slices With Kosher Salt Sugar
- Our Story
- Freeze Dried Lemon Slices
Source: BevNET