Canning, Ripple & Cocktail Spheres: A Creative Approach to Beverage Service

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

Fiddler’s is on the forefront of creativity with respect to utilizing new technologies in beverage service that make an impact on our members and guests. Our Ripple Machine allows us to “print” any image on top of a cocktail or beer without imparting flavors or chemicals as it is all natural.

Customized Canning refers to both custom drinks (often proprietary to Fiddler’s) and branding/messaging on the can itself. Canned beverages are offered to members both on and off the course and also used by our clients for corporate events/outings. This program has been so successful that we recently purchased a second seaming machine. We place customized labels with images and messaging that are appropriate to the specific event, such as weddings, outings and themed parties.

Cocktail Spheres are another unique attention getter. All ingredients, including all bitters, syrups, etc are made in house. We have a special “interactive” way of tying in with golf using a golf ball mold.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

The Ripple Machine has become integral in wowing members and guests as our mission is to wow them at all possible opportunities. Examples are corporate outings are able to place their branding/logo on top of their beverages. We put themed messages on top of drinks for member events like flags for 4th of July or team logos during our World Cup viewing party, just to name two. We even print kid’s faces on their mock cocktails for kids events. A bonus benefit to the club is that members and guests are so enthralled with this technology that they post examples to their social media channels and tag Fiddler’s Elbow.

Customized Canning is a real attention getter and members/guests realized a tremendous perceived value thanks to their uniqueness. It is also part of our “Green Initiative” by reducing our carbon footprint, and we return the used cans for recycling and a rebate. Additionally, this program has helped us reduce labor cost since we don’t need an additional mixologist for specialty cocktails. A bonus is we receive less deliveries of water and other beverages thanks to our ability to “can” in-house. Like the printing, members post photos of their cans on their social media gaining us positive visibility.

The Cocktail Spheres are molded as golf balls. While partially frozen we use a kitchen syringe to remove the liquid center. Using another kitchen syringe, we inject a craft cocktail back into the frozen ball, and seal it shut. Members are then invited to break the ball using a metal golf tee or jewelry hammer. This too is a social media moment for our members.