Imbibe Live 2017: top trends from the show

03-Jul-2017 - Last updated on 28-Sep-2021 at 07:33 GMT

Drinks trends that operators should look out for this year include the continued rise of gin, increased interest in foreign imports and rising interest in sparkling wines, five alcoholic drinks producers told The Morning Advertiser in this video.

Gin will continue to dominate consumer interest for the foreseeable future, while producers will look to expand their portfolios into other areas, according to King of Soho brand ambassador Jamie Stephenson.

“Obviously gin is big at the moment and is probably one of the fastest growing sectors in the market at the moment and you can see it at shows like this,” he said.

‘A new spirit’

“The King of Soho London Dry Gin was our first product and we’re going to be introducing a new spirit towards the end of the year,” Stephenson revealed.

Stuart Gregor, founder and director of Australian gin brand Four Pillars, claimed gin from Down Under could give British products a run for their money.

“We use a bunch of native botanicals that you can only find in Australia and we’ve got a great reputation for making great drinks.”

Kevin Pollard of Boutinot Wines predicted sparkling wines would play a bigger role in the on-trade drinking culture in the next 12 months.

Consumers were able to have a glass of sparkling wine on its own as a treat or as part of a meal, which made it more flexible than still wines.

New Orleans credentials

Southern Comfort brand ambassador Christian Tirel outlined the brand’s plans to push its New Orleans credentials in the year ahead as well as its use in cocktails.

“We’re going back to its heritage to where it all begin in New Orleans in 1874, which is really the spiritual home of the cocktail,” he said.

Watch this video recorded yesterday at Imbibe Live to find out why one producer believes bag-in-box ciders have the potential to become bigger in the on-trade and what consumers want from flavoured varietals.