You’ve probably noticed that many customers request a drinking straw when they order a beverage. That’s because it allows them to sip sodas or stir cocktails with ease. However, pairing straws with every order also provides you with the perfect opportunity to add a fun twist to drinks and attract the attention of your customers.
With a number of drinking straws out in the market, it’s important to understand the benefits of each type of straw. This will allow you to quickly identify the straws that best complement your beverages and fit your establishment's needs. In this detailed guide, we outline the differences between each straw to ensure you purchase the best drinking straws for your business.
Disposable Straws vs. Reusable Straws
When shopping for drinking straws, you’ll find that there are disposable straws and reusable straws available. Disposable straws are the most commonly used straws at foodservice establishments because they can be paired with to-go beverages and dine-in drinks. These versatile straws provide your business with convenience because they can be served with any drink and simply disposed of after use.
Reusable straws are typically served with cocktails, juices, water, and other beverages at sit-down establishments. These straws have a high-end look that provides restaurants with an effortless way to elevate drink presentations and are a luxurious alternative to single-use straws.
What Are The Benefits Of Disposable Straws?
Many foodservice establishments like to pair beverages with disposable straws because it eliminates the hassle of washing straws. Reusable straws require a straw cleaning brush and special technique to thoroughly clean them. Since reusable straws are difficult to clean and used multiple times, disposable straws are perceived to be more hygienic. Disposable straws are also a popular option because they tend to be softer than reusable straws which provide children with a safer way to drink beverages.
Why Are Plastic Straws Being Banned?
There are a number of cities and foodservice establishments nationwide that have banned the use of plastic straws because of the damage it has on the environment. Plastic straws do not decompose or biodegrade which causes them to stay in landfills for hundreds of years. They instead break down into microplastics that tend to end up in the ocean and have a negative impact on marine wildlife.
Alternatives To Plastic Straws
To help prevent plastic drinking straws from continuing to harm the planet, many eco-friendly alternatives have been created. This makes it crucial to understand the differences between each disposable straw available and its benefits. Below is a detailed breakdown of the different materials they are made from to help you choose the best eco-friendly straws for your business.
PLA Straws
PLA straws are made from bioplastic derived from renewable sources like cornstarch, sugarcane, or cassava roots. Unlike traditional plastic straws, PLA straws are commercially compostable and provide you with an eco-friendly way to serve refreshments. PLA straws are also sturdy and durable like traditional plastic straws, ensuring that they maintain their shape in cold drinks to provide customers with a comfortable drinking experience.
Hay Straws
Hay straws are constructed from wheat stems. They are naturally durable and won’t get soggy when paired with hot or cold drinks. These straws are commercially compostable and biodegradable, providing you with an easy way to minimize your establishment’s carbon footprint and fit the needs of your eco-conscious customers. Since these straws are made from natural plant stems, every straw features a unique look for an eye-catching presentation. Plus, they can be easily cut to any size to fit your establishment’s needs.
Paper Straws
Paper straws are fully biodegradable and a popular eco-friendly substitute for traditional plastic straws. They are made with food-safe dyes that feature one-of-a-kind patterns and colors to complement the look of beverages. Paper straws are available in a variety of sizes and built to withstand the temperature of cold refreshments.
Wrapped Straws vs. Unwrapped Straws
When you receive a shipment of straws, they will either be unwrapped or individually wrapped. Unwrapped straws help reduce waste because they do not come wrapped in paper or plastic. They eliminate the need for servers to unwrap a straw when they are serving a drink. However, many customers prefer wrapped straws because it provides them with a sanitary way to enjoy beverages. They know that the straw they are drinking from is clean because it hasn’t been touched by servers and doesn’t make contact with countertops or to-go bags.
Disposable Drinking Straw Designs
Whether it’s to add a charming touch to cocktails or provide customers with a simple way to sip sodas, disposable drinking straws are built with unique designs. There are a couple of features and styles to consider when choosing the best eco-friendly straws for your foodservice establishment.
Colorful Straws
From bright red to light blue, disposable drinking straws are available in a number of colors. You can conveniently pair colorful straws with refreshments to complement their hues and bring a pop of color to every order. Many single-use straws are also available in striped or polka-dotted patterns. These stylish straws bring a chic twist to beverages and elevate your drink presentation.
Bendable Straws
Most eco-friendly disposable straws that feature a bendable design are constructed from PLA. These straws easily bend over the edge of the glass to provide children and customers with limited mobility the assistance they need to enjoy drinks. They also allow patrons to sip beverages from tall glasses without needing to bend their heads to the exact angle required to drink from a straight straw.
What Are The Benefits Of Reusable Straws?
Numerous eco-conscious foodservice establishments serve cocktails or juices with reusable straws for dine-in customers. Reusable straws offer these businesses a simple way to reduce their carbon footprint. Although reusable straws may be more expensive to purchase, they save restaurants money in the long haul because they do not have to consistently spend money on restocking disposable straws.
Reusable Straw Materials
When shopping for reusable drinking straws, you will notice that stainless steel, glass, and silicone straws are the most popular options. However, each straw features unique characteristics which makes it essential to know their differences before making a purchase.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel drinking straws are typically available with a silver, gold, or copper finish. These drinking straws seamlessly add a stylish touch to handcrafted cocktails and perfectly complement the decor at your trendy bar or upscale restaurant. Stainless steel straws are also durable to maintain their high-quality construction when paired with any refreshment.
Glass
The majority of glass straws feature a clear finish, providing you with an easy way to clean straws. You can quickly identify if any pieces of fruits from smoothies or tapioca pearls from bubble teas are left behind. The clear finish also provides customers with reassurance that straws have been thoroughly cleaned.
Silicone
Silicone straws are soft and flexible, resembling the feel of conventional plastic straws. These straws provide your establishment with the ideal reusable straw to pair drinks with for children and patrons with limited dexterity. Similar to paper straws, silicone straws are available in a variety of patterns and finishes.
How To Clean Reusable Straws
Reusable straws can be daunting to wash because it can be extremely difficult to clean the inside of the straw. However, with a straw cleaning brush, you can clean those hard-to-reach areas of straws with ease. To properly wash a straw after use and provide customers with a sanitary drinking experience, simply follow these steps:
- Rinse the inside of the straw under hot water to remove debris or small pieces of fruit.
- Wet the straw cleaning brush and apply soap.
- Stick the straw brush inside the reusable straw and use a back-and-forth motion to thoroughly clean the straw.
- Once the inside of the straw is clean, use a sponge with soap to clean the outside of the straw.
- Rinse off the soap from the straw and allow it to dry.
Types Of Straws
There are different types of straws and each one is specially designed to enhance your customers’ drinking experience. Below is a breakdown of the different types of reusable straws and disposable straws available to ensure you pair handcrafted cocktails or lemonades with the appropriate straw.
Drinking Straws
A traditional drinking straw offers your customers a simple way to sip beverages without putting their mouth on the rim of glasses. There are reusable and single-use drinking straws available and they typically feature a straight, flexible, or angled design.
Cocktail Straws
Bartenders coordinate drinks they prepare with cocktail straws. These straws are thinner and shorter than traditional straws and allow customers to take small sips of their beverage. This allows patrons to fully enjoy the flavors of their hand-crafted cocktails. The thin size of cocktail straws also provides your patrons with a simple way to stir their mixed drinks to evenly distribute ingredients.
Julep Straws
A reusable julep straw features an innovative built-in spoon at the end of the straw. Their round spoon allows patrons to effortlessly stir creamy or muddled cocktails for consistent flavors while their straw design makes it easy for customers to enjoy beverages. Julep straws are generally longer than drinking straws and cocktail straws, making them perfect to pair with Collins glasses, julep cups, or highball glasses.
Drinking Straw Size Charts
Drinking straws are available in numerous lengths and diameters which allow you to coordinate straws that best complement your drinks and glasses. Choosing the right straw size for each drink on your menu may sound like a difficult task which is why we’ve created size charts to ensure you purchase the best drinking straws for your foodservice establishment. Use these charts as a general guide as each straw may have slight variations in measurements.
Drinking Straw Length Chart
6 Inches
- Types of cups: Mugs, tea cups, wine glasses, kids, cups, cocktails, and short tumblers
- Cup capacities: 4 to 8 ounces
8 Inches
- Types of cups: Soda cans, standard bottles, medium tumblers, and mason jars
- Cup capacities: 6 to 16 ounces
10 Inches
- Types of cups: Collins glasses, highball glasses, and tall tumblers
- Cup capacities: 8 to 24 ounces
Drinking Straw Diameter Chart
0.24 Inches
- Suitable drinks: Coffees, cocktails, and teas
0.32 Inches
- Suitable drinks: Juices, soft drinks, and waters
0.36 Inches
- Suitable drinks: Smoothies and milkshakes
0.48 Inches
- Suitable drinks: Bubble teas and thick desserts
Which Drinking Straws Fit Your Needs?
Drinking straws offer major convenience for customers. It allows them to sip refreshments without the need of putting their mouth on the rim of a glass. However, before purchasing drinking straws for your business, think about the type of drinks you’ll be serving. You want to ensure you coordinate the right straw with each type of drink to enhance your patrons’ drinking experience.
It’s also essential to consider your establishment. Do most customers dine at your restaurant or do they typically place online orders from your quick-service establishment? Depending on your answer, you may decide that disposable straws or reusable straws best fit your needs. Simply think about your menu, customers, and foodservice establishment before placing an order to ensure you find the best drinking straws for your business.
