NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP
Diageo releases new Captain Morgan's flavour
Diageo announces new Captain Morgan variant
Captain Morgan, which is owned by Diageo, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of its Black Spiced Rum variant (40% ABV).
Boasting notes of vanilla, black cherry and caramel, Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum is best served neat over ice, mixed with ginger or cola or in classic cocktails such as an Old Fashioned.
The new serve is available now in 70cl bottle format from Amazon and TheBar.com at RRP £24.
A wider rollout of the new rum across various wholesalers has been planned from September this year.
Captain Morgan marketing manager at Diageo GB Eleanor Morgan said: “We are proud that Captain Morgan has been able to maintain incredible popularity with consumers thanks to the brand’s ability to innovate and be at the forefront of market trends.
“We know that rum presents a huge opportunity for retailers and operators, and this latest innovation is set to help tap into new occasions.”
Britvic launches three new mixers
Soft drinks producer Britvic has released three new cocktail mixers for the on-trade.
The range features Mojito, Pina Colada and Strawberry, tasked with "helping bartenders prepare perfect drinks", the brand stated.
All three new flavours come in at under 40kcal per serve, are HFSS compliant and suitable for vegans.
Cocktails are worth £686m in hospitality, According to the CGA mixed drinks report 2022, and the new flavours from Britvic were chosen from the top "go-to" cocktails.
Britvic director of foodservice and licensed Adam Russell said: “Over the last few years, the demand for elevated experiences out of home has increased, which has contributed to a growth in demand for cocktails.
"In the current climate, people need even more reason to be tempted out of home, with 88% of consumers saying they want bars and pubs to provide them with an experience they can’t get at home. Premium serves and cocktails have a big role to play here.
“Despite the opportunity, we know that half of bar owners say they don’t offer cocktails in mainstream outlets because they take too long to make, there are too many ingredients to stock or there is a lack of staff skill or knowledge.
"Our Cocktail Mixers are designed to make cocktails an easier opportunity to tap into and are the perfect addition to help operators serve cocktails more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively.”
The launch will also be supported by social media, merchandising and PoS material.
Britvic Cocktail Mixers are available to the on-trade now direct from the brand.
Beavertown relaunches tropical IPA
North-London based Beavertown Brewery, which is owned by Heineken, has announced the relaunch of its Tropigamma (5.4% ABV).
The topical IPA combines flavours of guava, papaya, mango, mandarin and peach, made from a blend of real fruit pulp that is added during fermentation.
Beavertown's Tropigamma will be available all summer direct from the brewery at RRP £2.50 for a 330ml single can, £22 for a pack of eight cans and £54 for a case of 24.
Smokehead releases new expression
Scotch whisky brand Smokehead has released its latest expression, Twisted Stout (43% ABV).
Finished in stout casks, the new variant is a smoky single malt delivering a fiery and intense peat of Islay malt whisky combined with sweet and smooth chocolate aromas, best enjoyed in cocktails or sipped neat on the rocks.
Smokehead activation manager Mikey Sim said: “Beyond the brand, Smokehead continues to lead innovation in the world of whisky with its contemporary methods of finishing.
"Breaking boundaries is our team’s forte - we are constantly seeking to revolutionise and inspire the wider drinks industry with our daring expressions.
"Twisted Stout is now available globally, by popular demand. Our customers love our non-conformist and brilliantly rebellious nature, which is our ethos.”
Smokehead Twisted Stout is available now direct from the brand while stocks last in 70cl bottle format at RRP £57.
Fentimans unveils new Raspberry Lemonade
Botanical soft drinks producer Fentimeas has expanded its portfolio with the release of its Raspberry Lemonade variant.
As with the brands other products, the new lemonade, which joins the existing range including Victorian and Rose lemonades, will be created using a botanical brewing process.
Fentimans marketing director Jayne Andrews said: “This is an exciting time for Fentimans and we see this as a real opportunity for further brand growth within the lemonade category in the on-trade.
"We know our famous lemonades are firm favourites with customers who seek them out. Our consumer research also identified a clear interest in our new Raspberry Lemonade. We are pleased to be rolling this out ready for the summer months.”
Fentimans Raspberry Lemonade, which is gluten free and vegan friendly, is available now from selected stores in 275ml and 750ml bottles.
Cotswold Cider introduces new premium serve
The Cotswold Cider Company has introduced a new "premium" craft cider, Cotswold Prime Cider.
Described by the brand as a "quintessential and authentic" cider, the new serve offers notes of rich baked apple and soft spices on the palate.
Cotswold Cider master cider-maker and founder Rory Souter said: “Over the years we’ve built our reputation on creating premium ciders with integrity and distinctive character.
“That means only fermenting from fresh-pressed cider apple juice from around the region and a long maturing time to achieve the perfect balance of tannin, acidity and depth of flavour.
“Cotswold Prime Cider is a classic medium-dry easy-drinker, and at 4.6% ABV, it’s both accessible and satisfyingly indulgent, rather like taking a sip of English tradition. With Cotswold Prime, we want to present The Cotswolds in a glass.”
The new cider is available now direct from the brand in 50lt keg and 500ml bottle formats at RRP £30 for 12x500ml bottles.
Double Dutch announces new Elderflower flavour
Award-winning producer of premium tonics and mixers, Double Dutch, has added Elderflower Tonic Water to its range.
The new flavour boasts notes of lemon with a bitter finish on the palate alongside a fragrant aroma of orchard fruit and honey, best paired with floral gins, vodka, or prosecco.
Double Dutch co-founder Raissa de Haas said: “We have observed a market demand for a lighter, more floral tonic. There is increasing interest in natural and botanical-based products, with more health-conscious consumers seeking beverages made with real, high-quality ingredients.
"A fresh Double Dutch Elderflower Tonic Water seemed the perfect way to hit this market demand, providing bartenders with an essential high quality floral mixer.”
Double Dutch Elderflower Tonic Water is available now direct from the brand in 200ml bottle format at RRP £23.15 for a case of 24.
Hive Mind launches new honey Pilsner
Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co has released Nectar, a new Pilsner style beer finished with British honey.
The 4.5% beer has been brewed with Pilsner malt alongside a combination of Saaz and Hallertau Blanc hops, described as having notes of goosberry and wild flowers with a hint of honey.
Hive co-founder Kit Newell said: “The starting point for our honey beers is always a classically brewed authentic style so Pilsner was the perfect choice when we wanted to add a lighter lager-style to our summer range. As well as a subtle sweetness which complements the malt, the honey adds wildflower notes which work really well with Pilsner hops.
“After the successful launch of our sparkling mead range in cans last month, this is the start of a wider rollout of our honey beer range in cans, expanding the choice that we’re offering to retailers and customers."
Nectar is available now direct from the Hive webshop in 440ml can format at RRP £25 and £50 for packs of six and 12 respectively.
Luscombe reveals new bubbly variant
Award-winning royal warrant holder, Luscombe, has revealed its latest innovation, Wild Elderflower Bubbly, crafted with organic ingredients and Dartmoor Spring Water.
The new serve offers of lemon and creamy white blossoms alongside wild elderflower with a gentle sparkle, best served over ice or with frozen berries and a twist of lemon for a "refreshing" summer punch to compliment smoked salmon, panna cotta or glazed honey pork dishes.
Luscombe Wild Elderflower Bubbly is available now direct from the brand at RRP £26.50 for 12x27cl bottles.
Shakespeare Distillery releases limited-edition gin
Warwickshire-based Shakespeare Distillery has announced the release of a new limited-edition gin, Kaffir Lime & Orange (40% ABV).
The new serve from the independent artisan spirits producer was described by the brand as featuring a "refreshing blend of citrus flavours", including lime and orange peel alongside juniper lemon thyme, ginger and black peppercorns, best served as a G&T with a premium mixer, ice and a lime wedge.
Shakespeare Distillery director Simon Picken said: “We’re delighted to launch our latest limited-edition gin and add another distillery special to our portfolio of premium, handcrafted products. The Kaffir Lime & Orange Gin is the perfect refreshing drink to sip on a lovely warm summer evening."
Kaffir Lime & Orange Gin is available now direct from the brand in 5cl, 20cl and 50cl bottles at RRP £6.50, £17.50 and £34 respectively.
Former Big Brother stars launch new Tequila brand
Yorkshire-based brand Sphynx has unveiled its newly launched range of "authentic" Tequilas.
Former Big Brother contestants, Sukhvinder and Imran Javeed, who featured in the TV show's eighteenth series in 2017, founded the English Tequila brand after spending a decade looking into the spirits production in Mexico.
The Sphynx range encompasses four variants, Blanco Tequila, Anejio Tequila, Anejo Cristalino and Extra Aged Anejo Black, aged in custom wine and sherry barrels.
Sukhvinder said: "We assure you that you will never drink tequila with salt and lime again.
“Sphynx Tequila embraces the natural flavours of the finest agave, grown for a minimum of seven years.
"We chose to age our tequila in various French oak barrels that allowed us to create custom profiles just for Sphynx Tequila giving our drinkers a unique smooth flavour that allows you to simply pour it over ice, sip and enjoy.”
All Sphynx Tequilas are available now from Master of Malt in 70cl bottle format at RRP £70.
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 1 September.
