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

Ten Locks strikes distribution deal for Cambusier fruit liqueurs​

Destined for premium cocktail bars and restaurants, Cambusier fruit liqueurs are now available to the UK drinks market, following an exclusive distribution deal with drinks firm Ten Locks.  

Described as ‘France in a bottle’, Crème de Cassis (Bourgogne Franche-Comté), Strawberry (Bretagne), Mirabelle Plum (Grand Est), Raspberry (Centre Val-de-Loire), Apple (Normandy) and Violette (Occitanie) liqueurs will join the Ten Locks portfolio this month.

The Cambusier range is said to present high-end hospitality venues, dining outlets and bars with a modern take on classic French fruit liqueurs by selecting the best craft liqueurs from local producers.

Fruit for the liqueurs is organically farmed, sustainably grown or picked.  

Ten Locks head of commercial Becky Davies said: “Cambusier’s devotion to bringing back an array of flavour profiles at a time when the spritz is booming, offers UK bartenders and mixologists endless possibilities.

“Cambusier is well positioned to inject a finesse to a well-made cocktail and even more life into the return of the spritz and will do so in the most contemporary way. It’s a welcome dash of joie de vivre and with a team who’ve all spent time behind the bar, I know it’ll be a hit with premium venues.” 

Partners Martin Smodis and Theo Moog founded Cambusier in June 2017, inspired by the term ’cambusier’. Meaning ‘ship’s galley’ in English, the maritime theme is intrinsic to the brand’s design from the blue and white logo and stripes, through to its sailor top as an emblem of France. 

Cambusier commercial manager Alphonse Cassanet said: “We embark on 2022 excited to embrace the lively spritz culture in the UK and bring Cambusier to venues across the country.” 

Barcardi brings more colour to non-alcoholic spirit category with Palette

Barcardi has launched non-alcoholic spirits brand Palette to the UK.

The brand, which has two expressions – Palette Roots and Palette Bold – has evolved from a collaboration between Bacardi and bartenders in Amsterdam, who wanted to make a non-alcoholic spirit that would “inspire creativity among bartenders and excite the palates of mindful drinkers with out-of-the-ordinary cocktails”.

Palette master of botanicals Alessandro Garneri and his team have used three different methods to extract intense, all-natural flavours from botanicals including American oakwood, gentian root, juniper berries, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.

“We’re calling time on sweet, tasteless ‘mocktails’,” said Marine Rozenfeld, innovation development lead for Bacardi Europe, Australia & New Zealand. “With the launch of Palette coming hot on the heels of our new Martini Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo, we are definitely taking mindful drinking to new heights.

“Palette is the perfect choice for creative bartenders looking to mix things up behind the bar.”

Launching in select bars and restaurants across London such as Lyaness, L’Escargot and Christopher’s, Bacardi said Palette will tap into the accelerating mindful drinking trend as the no and low category grew by more than 30% in 2020 and global consumption of no and low spirits is expected to grow by another 31% by 2024 (source: IWSR).

Palette Roots is said to have a deep, complex and fragrant flavour, and is made using juniper berries, ginger and the essential oils of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon.

While Palette Bold has the taste of an aged-spirit, “delivering an upfront and punchy experience, before moving to woody, oak and smoky notes”.

Kopparberg builds on summer joy with Mixed Fruit Tropical

Cider producer Kopparberg has released its alcohol-free Mixed Fruit Tropical drink in cans to its growing booze-free range following its successful alcoholic version launch in summer.

Mixed Fruit Tropical has rapidly become a Kopparberg mainstay after great sales and demand for the flavour has been strong enough the business is now making it available as an alcohol-free variant.

Kopparberg said while Generation Z drinkers are increasingly choosing to drink less than previous generations (source: Numerator.com), Mixed Fruit Tropical proves cutting down on alcohol doesn’t have to mean missing out on flavour.

Kopparberg head of marketing Rob Salvesen said: “Mixed Fruit Tropical cider has risen from a limited-edition summer launch to become a permanent fixture in only seven months.

“In summer, it was synonymous with balmy afternoon gatherings with friends and beer gardens. While we can’t guarantee sunny weather in January, we can guarantee this flavour will bring Kopparberg’s energy and excitement to our alcohol-free cider range.”

If you have any new products that are being released to the on-trade, email the details with high resolution images before Thursday at midday for potential inclusion on Friday’s article to tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​​​​​​​.