As a kid growing up, I loved nothing more than a great burger and milkshake for lunch, so it was such a pleasure to see the milk bar concept brought not only back to life, but up to date.

There are 2 recently opened  Milk ,cafe-milkbars in Brisbane, at Ashgrove ( in the Woolworths Village) and Windsor (Homezone).

On a recent delivery, Which was my first visit to the Asgrove Milk, they made for me the best tasting burger I have had in years, and I also had a chocolate with coconut and walnut syrup milkshake made with Barambah organic milk. Spectacular! The ‘drink in’ shakes are served in the aluminium cups of old, and the takeouts are in great waxed carboard cup with striped paper straws.

John and Amanda have created that magic ‘retro/ new’ hybrid, of old world charm and service, with innovative food and drink options that will keep everyone happy.

They are partnering with great suppliers (Merlo for coffee, Alchemy for syrups, Barambah for milk), and their staff are all bright friendly and just a bit sassy. The burger chef said to me ” The best tasting burger you have ever had coming right up!” and you know what. he was right.

It was great to see such a well run concept, and it made me pause to think how every cafe could look to the many little things that are within their control to tweak, refine and improve, and what a difference it would make to the customer experience.

Please let me know what has impressed you recently in the cafe arena. By sharing we raise the industry standard, and that is a wonderful thing.

Cordially Yours.

Michael Bishop.

Master Blender.

Hi there Cafe people.

After more than 10 years in our factory and warehouse in Capalaba, the Alchemy Cordial company has moved!

Our business was really being restricted by a lack of space, both in terms of ability to make enough of our current wonderful products, but also limited in our ability to create new and amazing refreshments for our customers.

Our new home ( every family business needs a home), is at 34 Enterprise St Cleveland (yes cycling distance), and it is SO AMAZING!!!! We are in 1300 sqm of WOW space.

We have a new phone number 1300 4 ALCHEMY (should be easy to remember), and a new FAx number as well 1300 4 SYRUP ( for those who still fax).

We have created with the assistance of QMI (Queensland Manufacturing Institute), a worlds best practice designed syrup making room and filling room, the warehouse is brilliantly laid out, and everyone here is delighted to be a part of something that is transforming and growing.

Our offices were designed by the brilliant Brand and Slater Architects, and they are a pleasure to work in.

What that means to you is that we are now on top of demand, and putting our resources into coming up with new and innovative products for your cafes. You can help by letting us know what products you would like us to make for you, so send me an email at michael@alchemycordial.com.au.

By moving to a new home, everyone at Alchemy has had an opportunity to move to a new head space as well, Alchemy is all about transformation and we have included this in our new branding, with the tagline/ vision,  statement,

TRANSFORMING REFRESHMENT.

You will see under our beautiful tree logo, and with our purpose sheltering under our family tree, I reckon anyone who sees the Alchemy brand will be able to tell at a glance who we are and what we are about.

I now have to head back to the R & D room to put the finishing touches on our new Chocolate syrup, made with organic Cocoa, and a new raspberry coffee syrup Both are shaping up well so look out for  new product news.

Cordially Yours.

Michael Bishop.

Master Blender.

Hi there Cafe people.

This morning I get on a plane to Milan for a 5 week tour of Italy and France. I will be hunting out coffee, coffee syrup, Chai latte developments, and all the wonderful new things that I can find.

I will be posting as regularly as I can get to my internet, so keep your eyes out for the updates.

I really keen to see the home of espresso up close, and to share what I see.

Cordially Yours.

Michael Bishop.

Master Blender.

Alchemy syrup training video

Hi there Cafe professionals. We have just completed this little video which has some training info on how to make flavoured coffees, Chai lattes, Frappes, and Steamers using Alchemy syrups.

There will be a second one posted shortly, so have a look at this, and show it to your staff, so they too can easily make and promote these profitable, delicious drinks to your customers.

Hi There Cafe people.

Everyone at Alchemy is really excited, we have just today taken delivery of our new labels for the Coffee syrups and Chai lattes.

OUr design team has done brilliant work in creating a clean, distinctive, and beautiful family of products.

Long time fans of Alchemy will notice that we have moved away from the names we had for our various products to flavour descriptions like “vanilla” and we have changed our “Chai” to “Chai latte syrup”.

These changes were made to make it easier for customers in your cafes to see what you have on offer, and to feel confident in asking for their flavour.

We have also produced some excellent new A4 Posters and table talkers which perfectly compliment the  new look, so don’t forget to ask for some with your next order.

If you don’t already have our syrups in your cafe in Australia, you may want to have a look at our syrup intro kit.

Just send me an email michael@alchemycordial.com.au and ask for the brochure.

I will get some pics of the new look up here as soon as they have been photographed, so come back soon.

Cordially Yours.

Michael Bishop.

Master Blender.

Introducing and selling coffee syrup that is quite new in a cafe can be difficult for some. I have put together a total coffee syrup solution kit and some tips that will help cafes introduce coffee syrup to their customers

Do Up Selling

An easy way to sell coffee syrup is when regular customers order a cup of coffee; we may ask them if they do normally take sugar in their coffee. If this is the case we can offer customers the option to try a new cofee syrup. But, if the customers are not fond of adding up sugar, then do not insist further.  It is advisable that we only speak to potential consumers. In the case of coffee syrup it is the customers that take sugar.

The total coffee syrup solution is a great option for all cafes. Some cafes wrongly believe that coffee syrup is used to cover bad coffee. Then, they’re afraid that their reputation would be at stake. But, the question is simply, how many among our regular consumers in the cafe add sugar to the coffee? The customers like options and coffee syrup is a great, tasty and natural alternative to sugar.

Hand out Samples

Another strategy that works in cafes is handing out samples for the promotion of new product. Many of the large coffee chains use this strategy often. Smaller cafes may do the same as well by giving samples of coffee syrup. Offering regular clients the option of trying one of the flavored coffee syrup is a good place to start to promote the new product. You will be surprised as the product will have its regular repeat customers.

As part of the Alchemy Cordials total coffee syrup solution pack a cafe will be given in addition to a full range of coffee syrups including the chai latte syrup, all the promotional goods they need to help sell and promote the coffee syrup in their cafe. The total coffee syrup solution is a great way to introduce all natural and delicious Alchemy Cordials coffee syrup to your cafe.