NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP
Captain Morgan enters alcohol-free category
Captain Morgan unveils alcohol-free spiced rum variant
Captain Morgan has entered the alcohol-free category with the launch of its alcohol-free spiced rum serve.
The latest innovation from the Diageo-owned brand has been carefully developed over the last two years to offer "intricate layers of flavour", starting with notes of caramel, molasses, vanilla and warm brown spices.
Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% can be used in place of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold in any cocktail or drink. Simply pour 50ml of the alcohol-free spirit over ice, mix with cola and add a slice of lime to create a refreshing tasting alcohol-free Captain & Cola.
“With a resurgence of rum as a drink of choice and 47% of UK adults switching between alcohol and low and alcohol-free drinks, according to data from Kantar Alcovision earlier this year, Captain Morgan 0.0% is perfectly placed to not only meet growing demand but also give those looking to moderate their consumption a new alternative", Captain Morgan global brand director Samori Gambrah said.
Diageo liquid scientist Amanda Brown added: “It’s been an exciting journey working on Diageo’s first alcohol-free dark spirit.
"When creating Captain Morgan 0.0%, we went through more than 400 recipes before we were able to capture the iconic rum and spice flavour of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold, but without the alcohol.
"Captain Morgan 0.0% has been created by layering flavours that deliver the complexity and depth that consumers know and love.”
The new alcohol free rum is the latest product, and first dark spirit, to join Diageo’s alcohol-free portfolio, following the successful launch of Guinness 0.0%, Tanqueray 0.0% and Gordons 0.0%
Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% will be available across a variety of on-trade wholesalers from 1 September in 70cl bottle format at RRP £15.
Dead Man's Fingers introduces two new cream liqueurs
Halewood Artisanal Spirits owned Dead Man's Fingers has expanded its range of cream liqueurs with the release of two new tequila-based cream liqueurs, Black Cherry and Blue Raspberry, both 15% ABV.
The brand's Black Cherry variant is a blend of Tequila cream with ripe black cherries, while its Blue Raspberry offering fuses Tequila cream with a berry burst, both flavours are best served as a shot, over ice or in a ‘hard milkshake’.
Halewood marketing manager Poppy Williams said: “Cream liqueurs and Tequila are both categories that are experiencing strong value growth. Our existing Mango and Strawberry Tequila Cream Liqueur fusions have already performed well in the market, so we’re confident there’s a significant sales opportunity for our Black Cherry and Blue Raspberry additions.
"With our distinctively bold Dead Man’s Fingers branding, they’re guaranteed to stand out on the shelf and the vibrant liquid is perfect for creating show-stopping, Instagrammable serves.”
Both new serves are available now from the Drop Store in 50cl, 70cl and 1 litre bottle format at RRP £13, £15 and £18 respectively.
Draught Sapporo to launch in the UK for the first time
KBE Drinks has announced the UK launch of draught Sapporo, completing its super-premium lager range.
A Japanese beer crafted using the best traditional approaches with a twist, Sapporo (4.9% ABV) will be available to the on-trade later this month.
KBE Drinks chief operating officer Shaun Goode said the firm was "excited" about the launch and will be looking to "seed" the beer in a "select number" of pubs and bars that reflect the serves "super-premium credentials".
Sapporo Europe B.V general manager Satoru Morita added: “Whilst Sapporo Premium Beer has been hugely successful in the Japanese food occasion and is already stocked in many of the UK’s finest Japanese restaurants, we are keen to see it expand into pubs and bars with a draught format.
"We think consumers will love its distinctively crisp taste. In KBE Drinks, we believe we have found the perfect distributer to unlock this opportunity.”
Luscombe releases Sicilian Citrus Crush flavour
Award-winning organic soft drinks brand and royal warrant holder Luscombe has released a new citrus variant, Sicilian Citrus Crush.
Made from Sicilian oranges and lemons blended with Dartmoor spring water, the new serve offers a zesty infusion of fresh citrus flavours, best paired with seafood or egg dishes.
The new offering contains no artificial additives, sweeteners or concentrates and is gluten free and vegan friendly.
Luscombe Sicilian Citrus Crush is available now direct from the brand in single serving bottles (12x27cl at RRP £26.50) or sharing bottles (6x74cl at RRP £27.40).
Shepherd Neame releases fifth beer in Cask Club series
Kent-based pub operator and brewer Shepherd Neame has released the fifth beer in its real ale initiative Cask Club, Citra Smack (3.8% ABV).
Combining Cascade, Amarillo and Citra hops, the new serve offers a fruity aroma alongside citrus notes with pale ale and crystal malts and a small amount of wheat and oats to create a smooth beer.
Head brewer Mike Unsworth said: “While the main hop is the Citra variety, we used a smaller selection of other aroma hops to create a really refreshing and well balanced pint.
“Our team have had a great time bringing Citra Smack to life, and we are very happy with the finished result. With its juicy citrus flavours and aroma we think it provides a real drop of sunshine in a glass, perfect for summer.”
Shepherd Neame’s Cask Club was launched in 2019, offering a new range of limited edition innovative cask beers incorporating modern styles and flavours, while also celebrating some seasonal classics.
Future ales in the Cask Club programme to look out for over the next few months include Hop Pocket (4.5% ABV), Cobnut (3.8% ABV) and Late Red (4.5% ABV).
Cawston Press reveals limited-edition tropical variant
Cawston press has introduced a limited-edition sparkling Pineapple & Grapefruit serve.
Made with pressed fruit, the new offering is a blend of not from concentrate pineapple and grapefruit juice, using apple juice to sweeten, with no added sugar or sweeteners.
The limited-edition flavour is available now while stocks last direct from Cawston press at RRP £20 for a case of 12 cans.
Timothy Taylor launches first collaborative brew
Yorkshire-based brewery Timothy Taylor has joined forces with Derbyshire brewery Thornbridge to create the first collaborative beer in its 165-year history, Artesian (4.2% ABV).
Brewed for easy enjoyment with Crytal, Chinook and Amarillo hops with pale ale malt and wheat, the new serve boasts notes of elderflowers and gooseberries, well matched with goats cheese and fig crostini's.
Thornbridge head brewer Rob Lovatt said: “We are incredibly proud to be the first brewery to work alongside Timothy Taylor’s for a collaboration.
“Nearly everybody at Thornbridge regularly drinks Landlord, so to create a modern pale ale with them is really exciting for the whole team.”
Artesian is available now for a limited-time only, after debuting at Thornbridge's Peakender Festival in the Peak District over the weekend of 18 - 20 August.
Timothy Taylor head brewer Andy Leman added: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Rob Lovatt and the brewing team at Thornbridge to produce Artesian Elderflower and Gooseberry Pale Ale.
"They have a great reputation for their partnerships, and share our uncompromising passion for quality and consistency, so were a natural choice for brewing our first collaboration."
Boe releases new cream liqueur
Award-winning gin and vodka brand Boe has unveiled its latest innovation, Boe Vodka Cream Liqueur (15% ABV).
Described by Boe as a combination of real dairy cream, natural raspberry flavours and white chocolate, the serve is best enjoyed as a shot, over ice or as an addition to creamy cocktails.
Boe Vodka Cream liqueur is available now from the brand's webshop in 70cl bottle format at RRP £17.
St Austell and Verdant team up to create hazy pale ale
Cornish brewers St Austell and Verdant have come together to make a one-off cask ale.
Limited-edition Fuse (5% ABV) was born when St Austell Brewery’s Lee Walker and Penryn-based Verdant’s head of operations James Heffron (pictured) came up with the brew over a pint.
The beer was described as “packed with tropical fruit and citrus flavours and has a savoury biscuity note to it with a thick and chewy mouthfeel”.
Read more here.
Bottlegreen puts name to first alcoholic product
Premium cordial brand Bottlegreen and award-winning vodka producer Edwards 1902 have joined forces to create Elderflower Vodka Liqueur (20% ABV).
Blending smooth potato vodka with cordial containing hand-picked elderflowers, the new serve has been crafted and bottled at the Elsham World Distillery in Lincolnshire and was described by the brands as the "perfect way to elevate cocktail recipes".
SHS Drinks head of marketing, softs, Sarah Lawson said: “Bottlegreen cordial is well established as a quality ingredient for cocktails, so we were thrilled when Edwards approached us about this exciting joint initiative.
"We have 34 years’ expertise in adult-inspired soft drinks and, while this is the first time we’ve put the brand name to an alcohol product, all bottlegreen drinks are crafted using specialist, flavour-enhancing processes traditionally employed by winemakers, so the alcohol category isn’t totally alien to us.”
If you have any new products being released to the on-trade, email the details with high resolution images for potential inclusion to Erorppn.jryyre@jeoz.pbz. The Next round-up will be published on Friday 6 October.
