Spirits & Cocktails

In association with Britvic

Serve of the month – the Shamrock Highball

28-Feb-2022 By Gary Lloyd

This cocktail from Britvic is simple yet elegant. It uses orchard fruits and the addition of honey adds sweetness to a boisterous Irish whiskey. Serve it in your venue.

New products round-up

Wales rugby stars kick-off spirit launch, Hendrick’s boasts botanicals in new gin

24-Feb-2022 By Gary Lloyd

The latest new products have a strong bias towards being lower in alcohol or in calories. First up is a low-alcohol spirit from four former Wales rugby union stars while Beavertown and SkinnyBrands launch drinks with fewer calories.

Sustainability in cocktail bars 'very important for the world right now'

22-Feb-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The key to sustainability in cocktail bars lies within using local resources, reusable items, and creative solutions to combat waste, according to sustainable cocktail bars across the sector.

Tequila sales increase by 106%

18-Feb-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Sales of Tequila in the on-trade have increased by 106% in the past year with total value sales for the year rising from £68.12m to £140.6m, according to CGA data.

Jameson launches new campaign with comedian Aisling Bea

15-Feb-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Jameson Irish Whiskey has today (15th February 2022) launched its new international brand campaign, ‘Widen the Circle’.

Pubs advised keeping cocktails simple is key

14-Feb-2022 By Rebecca Weller

The rise in consumers’ desire for cocktails “will go on for quite some time” but the industry needs to take the art of cocktail making “very seriously”, according to some of the top cocktail bars across the country.

Vote now: Have you seen an increase in spirits sales?

14-Feb-2022 By Rebecca Weller

In the week to Saturday 5 February, average drinks sales in Britain’s managed pubs, bars and restaurants were 3% below the same period in 2020, however, sales of spirits have continued to soar, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker.

Drinks sales drop in single figures for first time since pre-Xmas

04-Feb-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Drinks sales in Britain’s managed pubs, bars and restaurants saw a drop in sales of 8% in the week to Saturday 29 January compared to the same period in 2020, the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.

Top 50 Cocktail Bars

Lab 22 named UK’s number one cocktail bar

02-Feb-2022 By Nikkie Thatcher

Cardiff-based Lab 22 was awarded named the best cocktail bar in the UK on this year’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars list.

Top 50 Cocktail Bars set to be revealed

28-Jan-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

The best cocktail bars in the business are due to be revealed as The Morning Advertiser prepares for the announcement of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list for 2022.

Rum, Tequila and vodka see sales rise as wine and cask slips out of favour

25-Jan-2022 By Rebecca Weller

Rum, Tequila and vodka are expected to be among the more popular drinks for 2022, while wine, gin and whisky are among those suspected to take a dip in popularity this coming year, according to the latest CGA On Premise Measurement Service.

New products round-up

Gunpowder Gin form BrewDog’s spirit arm, Liberation Brewing’s first non-alcoholic beer

20-Jan-2022 By Gary Lloyd

There are plenty of new products being launched at the moment so there’s a good chance something will help you light up your offer in the run-up to Burns Night and Valentine’s Day.

New products round-up

Cambusier fruit liqueurs in UK, non-alcoholic spirit Palette and Kopparberg cider launched

14-Jan-2022 By Gary Lloyd

The latest new products launched to the market include Ten Locks taking on distribution of Cambusier fruit liqueurs, Bacardi releasing two variants of non-alcoholic spirit Palette and Kopparberg's alcohol-free Mixed Fruit Tropical flavour.

The first drinks launches of 2022

07-Jan-2022 By The Morning Advertiser

The first few days of 2022 have seen a variety of new drinks launched including beer, wine and spirits.

New products round-up

Festive drinks released in time for Christmas

17-Dec-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Burleighs has employed a rare production process to make its limited-edition Christmas Gin, Tuscan Tree targets a sequel Aperitivo, Vida Wines & Spirits shows off a few of its wines, Netherlands-based Ful launches its Spirulina Fizz trio and Liquid...

Revolution Bars Group to replace passionfruit garnish in its cocktail's

07-Dec-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Revolution Bars Group has announced it will replace all passionfruit garnishes in its Pornstar Martini and Rumtini cocktails with rice paper from this December as part of its initiative to become a NetZero business by 2030.

The Drinks List

Jagermeister tops table for liqueurs & specialities

03-Dec-2021 By Gary Lloyd

While there was no corresponding category in last year’s Drink List, liqueurs & specialities is certainly a division licensees cannot ignore.

The Drinks List

Jose Cuervo leads up-and-coming Tequila category

03-Dec-2021 By Gary Lloyd

A new category to the drinks list this year, Tequila sales to the on-trade have been extremely positive in general, and as such should certainly be viewed by operators as something very useful to have stocked on their back bar.

The Drinks List

Captain Morgan Spiced named UK’s most popular rum

02-Dec-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The top two best-selling rums in the UK on-trade have remained the same since last year with Captain Morgan Spiced and Bacardi Carta Blanca coming in at first and second respectively.

The Drinks List

Jack Daniel’s leads whiskies category as top three unchanged

02-Dec-2021 By Rebecca Weller

While none of the top 10 whiskies on this year’s drinks list showed any growth in volume or value on last year, the top three selling brands have stayed the same.

St Austell Brewery launches Christmas cocktail menu

01-Dec-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

St Austell Brewery, the independent owner of more than 180 sites across the West Country, has launched its first-ever festive cocktail menu.

The Drinks List

Gordon’s plunders top two positions in gin section

01-Dec-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

This year’s list of the UK’s top gin brands was full of familiar faces and most brands hadn’t budged from last year’s rankings.

The Drinks List

Smirnoff Red outstrips rivals to land top vodka brand title

01-Dec-2021 By Gary Lloyd

This year’s top five vodka brands may have all declined in both volume and value sales but there is a new entry to the list as Russian Standard Vodka drops away.

The Drinks List

Smirnoff Red remains top of the spirits category class

01-Dec-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Despite a drop in volume of sales by 16% (15% in value), Smirnoff Red has remained the top selling spirit on The Drinks List, followed by Gordon’s Pink Gin and Jägermeister.

Cocktail bar licensees give top tips for sustainability

22-Nov-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Operators across the country have given tips for running a sustainable cocktail bar after the collision of COP26 and national vegan month this November stressed the need for environmental responsibility.

Molson Coors Beverage Company to launch hard seltzer in the UK

16-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Molson Coors Beverage Company’s hard seltzer, Three-Fold, is hitting the UK on-trade with the launch of its first ever draught variation.

Promotional content

Why rum-based spirits are must-stocks this festive season

15-Nov-2021 By Samantha Newby, Category Director, Captain Morgan

Many consumers will have missed spending time with friends and family within the on-trade over the past year and we can expect people to flock back to pubs and bars this festive season to enjoy celebrating with loved ones.

Gin company forced to change its labels

11-Nov-2021 By Rebecca Weller

The alcohol industry’s independent Complaints Panel has made a precedent changing decision to force Fok Hing Gin to change their labels.

Millennials keeping pubs alive with high-end purchases

11-Nov-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Millennials making premium drinks purchases are keeping pubs alive according to worldwide insights group GlobalData.

CBD alcohol dying fad despite ‘anti-anxiety’ benefits

09-Nov-2021 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

Cannabidiol (CBD)-infused alcohol is a dying craze unlikely to resurface due to the hesitation of larger companies and distrust of customers, said bar operators.

Promotional content

The UK's favourite cocktails made easy with Funkin Pre-batch products

08-Nov-2021 By Funkin

As the UK returns to its pubs, it seems drinkers are increasingly expecting a wider drinks offering, looking for cocktails they know and love to be on the menu.

Top 50 Cocktail Bars

Top 50 Cocktail Bars awards open for entry

05-Nov-2021 By Top 50 Cocktail Bars

Have you got the best bar team in the country, pride yourself on your sustainable credentials or perhaps you’re new to the bar scene and want to make your mark?

New products round-up

Spirits dominate latest new launches

28-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Whether it's the fiscal boon awarded to the spirits sector through this week's Autumn Budget statement from Chancellor Rishi Sunak or just a buzz for Halloween, spirits are the top hitters for new products this week.

New products round-up

New serves available to tempt customers

22-Oct-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Whiskies, coconut flower beer, Tequilas, a non-alcoholic cider and a remake of classic TV advert are among the latest additions to the new products market.

New products round-up

The latest new products to hit the market

24-Sep-2021 By Gary Lloyd

This week’s new products focuses on a variety of spirits, including gins from Boë and Foghouse, plus tea, coffee, beer and ginger ale variants.

Quality time at the bar

20-Sep-2021 By Gary Lloyd

Whether it is a bit more disposable cash or a lust to try the best products available, pub customers are going for quality when it comes to enjoying a drink since the on-trade reopened in earnest.

New products round-up

New products round-up: the latest products on the market, including UK music pioneer Kano’s tie-up with Duppy Share rum

16-Sep-2021 By Gary Lloyd

A multitude of new products has hit the market including non-alcoholic beverages from Drop Bear Beer Co and Scai, cocktails from Liberation, Signature Brew's new beer, Graham's ruby port, a chocolate orange gin liqueur by TW Kempton and Fete...

Products round-up

Bohem Brewery Hana, Aber Falls Boco, Pink Diesel and Height of Arrows

03-Sep-2021 By Michelle Perrett

The latest new product launches include Bohem Brewery’s Hana, Aber Falls 2021 Single Malt Welsh Whisky, Boco by House Coren, Pink Diesel and Holyrood Distillery with Height of Arrows.

New brews from Erdinger, Salcombe Brewery and Northern Monk, spirits from Speciality Brands, Glen Grant and Sheep's

27-Aug-2021 By Michelle Perrett

The latest new product launches include Fruity Alkoholfrei wheat beer from Erdinger, Speciality Brands with new rum portfolio, Salcombe Brewery launches new session lager, Signature Brew re-releases Passions and C-Sharp, Northern Monk teams up with Ronseal...

Butcombe Brewing moves into no and low, Beavertown Bones, Sassy Organic and Binary Botanical

20-Aug-2021 By Michelle Perrett

The latest new product launches include Butcombe Brewing Co moving into no and low, Beavertown with Bones lager, Sassy launches Organic variant and Binary Botanical launches a beer for wine drinkers.

Orbiter Best Bitter from Dark Star, Twinings new tea foodservice range, Lion Brewery Co. and new craft beer from Fauna Brewing

10-Aug-2021 By Michelle Perrett

Star Brewing Co, Twinings new foodservice range, new craft beer from Fauna Brewing, relaunch of Lion Brewery Co. and Texas Pot Still Bourbon have all been launched recently.

Big interview

'Resilience of pubs is one of the biggest things to come out of the pandemic'

09-Aug-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

The way the on-trade has adapted and been resilient against the coronavirus pandemic has been a huge learning, one drinks business boss has highlighted.

Low alcohol sparkling mead from Bemuse, beer brand Allsopp's revived, Long Shot hard seltzer draught launch

02-Aug-2021 By Michelle Perrett

The latest new product launches include a low-alcohol mead from Bemuse, a Harlot English sparkling wine, revived beer brand Allsopp’s, non-alcoholic flavoured vodka STRYKK and Long Shot hard seltzer on draught.

Drinks sampled at The MA’s latest New Products Showcase

29-Jul-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

The latest Morning Advertiser New Products Showcase saw a virtual tasting session on a range of top new product launches.

BrewDog loses battle to use the name ‘Tiger Strike’

26-Jul-2021 By Michelle Perrett

BrewDog has lost the battle to use the name ‘Tiger Strike’ on its spirits after a ruling by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO).

New product round-up

Greenwich Spirits Company unveils debut gin, non-alcoholic mojito variants launch in Young’s Pubs

23-Jul-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

The latest batch of new drinks launches include more pours from Greenwich Spirits Company, The Balvenie, Hi-Spirits and Square Root.

New product round-up

‘World’s first’ black gin arrives in UK, new Pub Pride Day brew, River Cottage beer range unveiled

16-Jul-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

The latest new product launches include a commemorative beer from Farr Brew, more pours from Hugh Fearnley-Wittingstall and the ‘world’s first’ naturally black gin.

New product round-up

More pours from Magic Rock, Smirnoff and Kopparberg while Star Pubs & Bars grows Own Label wine

09-Jul-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

The latest batch of new drinks includes 10th anniversary brews from Magic Rock, fruity serves from Smirnoff and Kopparberg as well as an Own Label wine rollout by Heineken’s pub arm.