Monin Yuzu Flavors Deliver Traditional Citrus and Tropical Innovation
With a passion for quality and more than 200 flavors available, Monin is the premium brand of choice among baristas, bartenders and chefs worldwide.
2025 is the Year of Yuzu! A staple in Japanese and Korean cuisine, yuzu is gaining traction on North American menus for its bright, fresh flavor and global appeal. Yuzu is positioned to be one of the fastest-growing flavors in food and beverage. According to Datassential, yuzu has grown nearly 30% on U.S. menus in the past four years and is expected to outpace 96% of all other foods and ingredients through 2028.
Its vibrant color, aromatic profile, and versatility make yuzu a bold addition to cocktails, mocktails, sodas, marinades, and more. After conducting extensive consumer research, global flavor producer Monin named yuzu their 2025 Flavor of the Year, shining a spotlight on this bold, exotic citrus with two distinct offerings: Yuzu Purée and new Yuzu Pineapple Syrup. With the launch of Yuzu Pineapple Syrup, Monin uses home-grown ingredients for the first time, combining bold flavor with a commitment to sustainability.
A Dual Approach to Citrus Innovation
Monin Yuzu Purée delivers authentic yuzu flavor, rich texture, and a lively yellow hue that enhances any dish or drink. Made with real fruit particulates and no artificial ingredients, it is a simple yet premium solution for operators seeking to craft delicious, visually appealing yuzu beverage or culinary recipes.
To expand their yuzu portfolio, Monin introduced Yuzu Pineapple Syrup this spring. This new syrup combines the citrus fruit’s signature tart and floral notes with sweet and tangy pineapple for a premium tropical flavor that elevates cocktails, teas, and culinary recipes.
And there is more to Yuzu Pineapple Syrup than delicious flavor: it is the product of proactive steps Monin has taken to learn how to cultivate its own ingredients using agroecological methods.
From Orchard to Glass: A Sustainability Story
In an exciting first for the company, Yuzu Pineapple Syrup is made with flavor extracted from fruit grown at their 74-acre yuzu orchard. With more than 25,000 trees, Monin’s yuzu orchard is in Portugal’s Alentejo region, which shares a latitude with traditional yuzu-growing areas like Japan. The farm practices organic, agroecological methods such as minimal tillage and promoting biodiversity. By 2030, Monin hopes to source 100% of its yuzu-related ingredients from its own crop.
The orchard is a direct reflection of the company’s commitment to sustainability and offering greater ingredient transparency from cultivation to finished product, something increasingly valued by both operators and their guests.
A Flavor for 2025 Trends
Each year, Monin undergoes a thorough process of analyzing emerging trends, consumer insights, and industry data to identify the flavors shaping the year ahead. In their 2025 Flavor Trends, Monin explores how social media trends, energy drink alternatives, local seasonal ingredients and authentic comfort flavors are influencing menus and creating memorable experiences.
With yuzu, Monin aligns with consumers’ growing interest in locally sourced and sustainable food and beverage options. The “From Seed to Sip” trend reveals consumers care about the journey of ingredients from garden to glass, with 57% of diners saying that a restaurant’s sustainability practices influence their choices, and 80% expressing interest in limited-time offers featuring seasonal flavors (Datassential).
Made with clean ingredients, Yuzu Purée offers an authentic take on this East Asian citrus, while Yuzu Pineapple Syrup’s connection to Monin’s yuzu orchard reflects a growing commitment to traceability from orchard to glass. Whether crafting delicious tropical mocktails or elevated citrus marinades, Monin’s yuzu flavors help operators meet demand with purpose and creativity in a delicious, authentic way.
Versatile Recipes and Applications
Yuzu’s versatility allows it to play across dayparts and beverage categories. Here are just a few standout applications to help operators bring the flavor of the year to life:
- Yuzu Lemonade: Blend Yuzu Purée with lemonade for a zesty refresher with a bold yellow hue and bright flavor that pops.
- Yuzu Pineapple Fresh Citrus Gimlet: Shake Yuzu Pineapple Syrup with gin and lime juice for a tropical twist on the classic that balances tart and sweet with a smooth finish.
- Yuzu Cold Brew Tonic: Combine cold brew coffee, tonic water, and a splash of Yuzu Purée for a complex, non-alc option with bold citrus lift and aromatic depth.
- Yuzu Pineapple Fresh Margarita: Mix Yuzu Pineapple Syrup into a classic margarita recipe to create a vibrant cocktail that catches eyes—and curiosity—as it’s served.
- Yuzu Mint Club Soda: Add Yuzu Purée to club soda for an elevated sparkling water or to Prosecco for a delicious spritz with crisp acidity and unmistakable citrus character.
- Yuzu Pineapple Dirty Soda: Stir Yuzu Pineapple Syrup into soda with non-dairy creamer or coconut milk for a playful, flavor-packed take on this trending Gen Z favorite.
- Citrus No-jito: Use either flavor to craft a zero-proof mojito that adds floral brightness to mint, lime, and soda, creating a sophisticated yet refreshing mocktail.
- Young Buck (Mock Mule): Combine Yuzu Pineapple Syrup with ginger beer and lime for a bold, globally inspired spin on the classic mule, no spirits required.
