Easy-Read Drinks Menus: Making Choices Accessible to Guests

Why an easy read drinks menu matters

An easy read drinks menu uses clear layout, legible typography, and plain language to help every guest choose a drink without confusion. It removes barriers for people with learning disabilities, low literacy, or anyone who wants a quick answer at a busy party. Instead of long wine lists or jargon, the menu shows drink pictures, simple descriptions, and sensible alcoholic and non-alcoholic labels. That means guests can decide faster and feel more welcome.

Key features of an accessible menu

A good easy read format follows these rules:

One idea per line or short sentence.
Large, clear font (at least 14 point, often sans-serif like Arial).
Strong contrast between text and background.
Pictures or symbols next to each drink.
Symbols for alcohol content, sweetness, or fizziness.
Separate sections for alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

This approach is not only for people with disabilities. It helps older guests, people whose first language is not English, and anyone who does not want to read a long paragraph while standing at a drinks table.

How to structure an easy read drinks menu

Start with a clear title such as “Tonight’s Drinks”. Then group drinks by type. Use headings like Fizzy drinks, Juice and mocktails, Beer and cider, Wine, and Spirits and mixers. For each drink, show a picture, the name, and one or two key facts in plain language. For example:

Orange juice – cold, sweet, no alcohol. Served in a tall glass with ice.
Lemonade – fizzy, sweet and sour, no alcohol.
Lager – cold, fizzy, 4.5% alcohol. Served in a pint glass.
Red wine – room temperature, dry, 13% alcohol. Served in a wine glass.

Put the alcohol percentage in large numbers. Use a simple colour code: blue for no alcohol, red for alcoholic drinks, and always explain the code on the menu.

Writing drink descriptions in plain language

Plain language means short sentences, common words, and no jargon. Instead of “artisanal botanical infusion with quinine and citrus peel”, write “tonic water – fizzy, bitter, with lemon”. Instead of “full-bodied with notes of dark cherry and tobacco”, write “red wine – rich, fruity, strong taste”. If a drink is sweet, say so. If it is dry, say “not sweet”. If it is strong, say “high alcohol – drink slowly”.

Here is a comparison table to show how easy read descriptions differ from typical bar menus:

Typical menu text	Easy read version
Elderflower spritz with Prosecco and soda	Fizzy elderflower cocktail. Sweet, light, with alcohol. Served in a wine glass with ice and a slice of lemon.
Artisan cloudy lemonade	Lemonade – cloudy, sweet and sour, no alcohol. Served cold in a tall glass.
House IPA – hoppy, bitter, 5.2% ABV	IPA beer – bitter, strong, 5.2% alcohol. Served in a pint glass.

Including alcohol-free alternatives on the same menu

Many guests do not drink alcohol, but they still want a special drink. Put alcohol-free choices in the same list, clearly marked. Use a symbol like a blue glass for non-alcoholic and a red glass for alcoholic. Write the alcohol percentage next to every alcoholic drink. For alcohol-free drinks, write “0% alcohol” so no one has to guess. Offer at least one alcohol-free version of each popular drink type: beer, wine, sparkling, and a cocktail or mocktail.

Drink type	Alcoholic example	Alcohol-free example
Beer	Lager – 4.5% alcohol	Alcohol-free lager – 0% alcohol
Sparkling	Prosecco – 11% alcohol	Sparkling grape juice – 0% alcohol
Cocktail	Mojito – 10% alcohol	Virgin mojito – 0% alcohol
Wine	Red wine – 13% alcohol	Grape juice – 0% alcohol

Glassware and serving suggestions

Each drink should say what glass it comes in. This helps guests know what to expect and helps staff serve quickly. Common choices:

Tall glass – for soft drinks, beer, and long cocktails with ice.
Wine glass – for wine and sparkling wine.
Short glass – for spirits with a mixer or strong cocktails.
Shot glass – for small strong drinks, usually labelled “strong – drink slowly”.

If possible, show a photo of the actual glass. Add one line about serving: “with ice”, “cold from the fridge”, “room temperature”, “with a straw”, or “with a slice of lemon”. For hot drinks, say “hot – be careful”.

Food pairings in easy read language

Pairing drinks with food need not be complicated. Use simple taste words: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, rich, light, spicy. Here are examples:

Pizza or salty snacks – fizzy drinks, lager, or dry white wine.
Cake or dessert – sweet wine, dessert wine, or hot tea with milk.
Spicy food – milk, lassi, or a sweet fruit juice to cool the mouth.
Cheese – red wine, apple juice, or sparkling water.

Put a small symbol of a plate next to the pairing suggestion. Or write a separate “snack board” beside the drinks menu.

Designing the printed or digital menu

Whether the menu is printed on one page or shown on a tablet, keep the layout clean. Use lots of white space. Align text to the left. Put each drink in its own box with a border. Use pictures that are large and clear. If you print, use A4 or A3 paper and laminate it so it can be wiped clean. If you use a screen, make sure the text can be enlarged and the screen is not too bright.

Step-by-step: how to create your own easy read drinks menu

List your drinks – write down every drink you plan to serve, including water.
Sort into groups – hot drinks, cold drinks, fizzy, still, alcoholic, non-alcoholic.
Take or find a picture for each drink. Use a simple photo against a plain background.
Write a short description – name, main flavour, alcohol %, and glass.
Choose symbols – decide on a colour or icon for alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Design the page – one drink per box, large font, clear headings.
Test with a friend – ask someone to choose a drink using only the menu. If they hesitate, simplify.

Using easy read menus at parties and gatherings

Place the menu where guests order drinks or next to the bottles. For a small gathering, a one-page menu on the table works well. For a larger event, print several copies and put them on tables or the bar. If you have a self-serve drinks station, put the menu in a stand. For a seated dinner, put a small menu at each place setting. Always have a plain language version, not just a pretty design with tiny writing.

Common questions answered directly

What is the easiest way to show alcohol content? Write a large number with the percent sign, like 5%. Put it right next to the drink name. For no alcohol, write 0%.

How many drinks should be on an easy read menu? Between 6 and 12 drinks is enough. Too many choices make decisions harder.

Can I use an easy read menu for a formal event? Yes. A clean, simple menu looks professional and considerate. You can put the easy read version on one side and a traditional list on the other.

What if a guest cannot see well? Use very large print, high contrast, and offer to read the menu aloud. You can also make an audio version or a Braille version if needed.