new products round-up
VK launches new sugar free range
VK announces new range
RTD brand VK has expanded its portfolio with the launch of VK & Soda (ABV 3.4%), a low calorie and zero sugar range.
Available in two light and bubbly flavours, VK & Soda Berries and VK & Soda Lime, the new serves both have a crisp and clean vodka base as well as being sugar free and containing just 56 calories.
VK & Soda Berries captures the taste of VK Blue with a mix of berry flavours while the VK & Soda Lime offering is similar to the classic vodka, lime and soda.
Head of Brand at Global Brands Ltd, creators of VK, Charlie Leaver, said: “Consumers can have the party vibes and fruitiness that come with a VK, with fewer calories than our iconic drink.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to release this true innovation for the category, a product enticing the rapidly growing segment of health-conscious consumers, with the full flavour and taste that VK delivers.
“With Gen Z consumers looking for zero sugar and lower calorie options, ensuring your premises provides this choice is vital to cross-selling existing customers and attracting a new segment to the growing RTD market.”
VK & Soda is available to the on-trade through wholesalers stocking the VK range, including LWC Drinks and Dee Bee Wholesale.
Sandford Orchards releases new Rosé Cider
Award-winning cider maker, Sandford Orchards, has revealed its latest expression, Devon Rosé Cider (ABV 4%).
A medium sweet blush cider made from English apples, including Browns, Katja and Jane varieties, which are then fermented with the skins of Pinot Noir red wine grapes, the new serve is a clean, fruity and fresh rosé cider.
Sandford Orchards chief cidermaker Barny Butterfield said: “As cider evangelists, we love nothing more than creating a new cider guaranteed to entice more people to become fans of this fabulous apple nectar.
“We’re confident that Devon Rosé Cider is one of those drinks. Lovingly produced here in Devon, from locally grown apples, we’ve fermented the cider with the skins of Pinot Noir grapes to give it a delicate pink hue and a fruity kick.”
Sandford Orchards Devon Rosé Cider, a good accompaniment for goats’ cheese or high tea, will be availble from February in 500ml bottles at RRP £2.80 per serve direct from the brand’s webshop.
Black Sheep Brewery kickstarts 2023 seasonal range
Black Sheep Brewery has kickstarted its 2023 seasonal calendar with the relaunch of its English Pale Ale, Finisher (4% ABV), in support of England’s campaign to reclaim the Six Nations trophy in the coming weeks and ahead of the Rugby World Cup this September.
A sessionable pint, Finisher is brewed exclusively with English-grown Ernest hops, offering a balanced and light flavour profile with fresh notes of apricot and citrus.
Black Sheep Brewery CEO Charlene Lyons said: “We’re delighted to be launching Finisher, the first cask beer from our 2023 seasonal range.
“Created by our incredible brewing team last year, Finisher proved so popular we thought it was only right to bring the tasty pale ale back once more, perfect for sitting in the pub, watching the rugby unfold with your mates.
“It’s a challenging time for businesses at the minute, however at Black Sheep Brewery we’re hopeful for a busy 2023 across the trade sector and that the Six Nations starting in February will encourage more people to visit their local pub for a pint to watch all the action.”
Available for a limited period and exclusively on cask, Finisher will be available to pubs direct from Black Sheep from Monday 30 January.
Cawston Press announces new range crafted for the on-trade
Cawston Press has unveiled a new range of 1 litre pressed juices designed specifically for the on-trade and made from 100% pressed juices and purees.
With no added sugar, colouring or artificial sweeteners, the vegan range contains five SKUs, including flavours Crisp Cranberry, Zesty Orange, Terrific Tomato, Sweet Pineapple and Cloudy Apple, with Pink Grapefruit to join the range in February.
Additionally, due to a gentle pasteurisation process, the juices, served in 1 litre SIG cartons made from 100% recyclable material, hold a 15-month shelf life, matching the quality expected from chilled not from concentrate juices, but offering the convenience of ambient storage whilst reducing wastage at both a retailer and consumer level.
Packs also contain classic mocktail and cocktail recipes from the Cawston Cosmo to a Bloody Mary.
Cawston Press head of tase Micah Carr-Hill said: “Consumers are continuously seeking quality when it comes to their choice of drink, which is exactly what we aim to offer with Cawston Press. Premium juices, as delicious on their own as they are as mixers.
“We use honest ingredients, with real flavour, something we believe is currently scarce amongst existing juice mixers within the on-trade.”
The new range is available now from key national and regional wholesalers across the UK.
If you have any new products 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 Erorppn.jryyre@jeoz.pbz.
