Spirits & Cocktails

report

Drinking out spend declines but beer bounces back

08-Jun-2015 By Mike Berry

Beer, cider and Prosecco were the star alcoholic drinks performers last year, according to Mintel’s British Lifestyles report.

Disaronno Terrace 2015 parties announced

08-Jun-2015 By Laurie Macdonald

Illva Saronno has announced the return of the Disaronno Terrace series. Following last year's UK launch, the 2015 campaign will kick off at London rooftop bar, Golden Bee, on Wednesday 24th June. The music-based events launch in the capital before...

Masterclass

Gin...no longer mother's ruin

04-Jun-2015 By Nigel Huddleston

No longer associated with the London of Hogarth's era and ruining your mother, gin now has a reputation as a top-tier money-maker. 

Drinks

Comment: Acknowledging all our talents

29-May-2015 By Jessica Mason

The trade is beginning to really celebrate its successes.

Fruity summer cocktail menu across Stonegate estate

27-May-2015 By Oli Gross

Stonegate's classic estate is introducing a fruit based summer cocktail menu. The menu is available 1 June-1 September at 73 pubs in the estate.

Smirnoff roll out new bottle for No.21 brand

27-May-2015 By Laurie Macdonald

Diageo is rolling out redesigned packaging for its Smirnoff vodka No. 21 bottle, to increase on-shelf standout on the back bar.

Let's make a career in hospitality something to be proud of

21-May-2015 By Mark Baird

Hospitality in the UK is too often seen as an industry that provides millions of jobs but few careers. As an industry, it is in our interests to change that perception, says Mark Baird, head of alcohol in society at Diageo GB.

Cocktail guide: Shake-up your combos

18-May-2015 By Nigel Huddleston

PMA discovers how to upgrade your spirit-mixer offer so it gives more flavour and appeal.

Jägermeister "Unearthed" campaign hits festival trail

18-May-2015 By Laurie Macdonald

Jägermeister is taking its biggest ever live marketing event on the festival circuit.

Diageo backs Pride Festival with Smirnoff campaign

08-May-2015 By Jessica Mason

Diageo has launched a new £4.5m brand campaign for its Smirnoff vodka brand focusing on celebrating ‘inclusive communities’.

Budget doubled for Malibu National Piña Colada Day

08-May-2015 By Jessica Mason

For the second year running, Pernod Ricard is launching a push for National Piña Colada Day (on 10 July) with its Malibu rum brand.

Portman Group rejects Diageo and Beavertown packaging complaints

07-May-2015 By Michelle Perrett

The Portman Group has investigated and not upheld complaints against Diageo Christmas Bauble Cocktails and Beavertown Gamma Ray for appealing to under-18s.

Luxury spirit sales rise by 37%

06-May-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Luxury spirit sales are up 37% according to research from CGA’s Peach Report.

Competition

Join in Diageo and PMA’s summer Spirits Revolution

05-May-2015 By Mike Berry

As part of its Spirits Revolution initiative, leading supplier Diageo has teamed up with the PMA to offer licensees and their teams the chance to receive a bespoke spirits training session, at their venue, this summer.

Funkin to include cocktail-making advice as part of packaging redesign

29-Apr-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Funkin is to introduce new packaging that comes with tips on how to best serve popular cocktails.

Make the most of summer with 'eye-catching cocktails', says Diageo

28-Apr-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Drinks giant Diageo is urging licensees to capitalise on the summer opportunity by focusing on cocktails and new spirit and mixer serves.

New bottle design for Absolut vodka

28-Apr-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Pernod Ricard has given its Swedish vodka brand Absolut a bottle makeover.

Money makers

How to make £50k in drinks sales

24-Apr-2015 By Michelle Perrett

How the Cape of Good Hope delivered a winning formula.

Bloody Mary campaign launched by Ketel One Vodka

23-Apr-2015 By Jo Bruce

Ketel One Vodka, the luxury vodka from Diageo Reserve, has launched a Bloody Mary campaign in 100 bars.

Hi-Spirits takes on Langley’s No. 8 gin

22-Apr-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Emerging gin brand Langley’s No.8 is to become more readily available to pubs and bars after its owner agreed a distribution deal with Hi-Spirits.

Pimm’s Vodka Cup to make summer return

21-Apr-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Diageo has responded to consumer demand by bringing back its limited edition Pimm’s vodka variant in time for summer.

Spirits

Ketel One Vodka on-trade campaign launched

21-Apr-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Diageo is launching an on-trade campaign for its Ketel One Vodka brand this month.

Brands news

Courvoisier focuses on ‘the toast of Paris’

17-Apr-2015 By James Evison

Cognac brand Courvoisier has redesigned its bottles and packaging as part of a larger campaign which focuses on elements of the product’s heritage.

Wild to woo wine drinkers with new elderflower-flavoured spritz

15-Apr-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Wild Drinks is to capitalise on the trend for lower ABV alternatives to wine by introducing an elderflower-flavoured spritz.

Drinkers turning to lighter, more elaborate cocktails, says CGA

15-Apr-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

Higher ABV cocktails are giving away to more elaborate combinations and lighter versions, a leading market report has found.

Russian Standard vodka bartender competition open for entries

14-Apr-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

A bartender cocktail-making competition organised by vodka producer Russian Standard is to return for a second year.

Brands news

Absolut launches Andy Warhol inspired game

14-Apr-2015 By Jessica Mason

Absolut has teamed up with theatrical company Punchdrunk and content company Somethin Else to create a new digital game app, inspired by Andy Warhol.

New apple flavour for Jim Beam

01-Apr-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

An apple-flavoured variant of Jim Beam is to be rolled out next month as distributor Maxxium UK continues to target new drinkers to the bourbon category.

Research

Consumers returning to pubs but home drinking still most popular

27-Mar-2015 By Mike Berry

Almost two thirds of consumers have drunk at a pub or bar in the last month, compared to almost 8 in 10 that have drunk at home, new figures have revealed.

Diageo launches new products for Smirnoff, Pimm’s, Captain Morgan, Gordon’s, Guinness and Cîroc

23-Mar-2015 By Jessica Mason

Diageo has launched a range of new flavours, products and variants across its most popular brands including Smirnoff, Pimm’s, Captain Morgan, Gordon’s, Guinness and Cîroc.

Trend Watch

Trend Watch: can coffee cocktails conquer the world?

19-Mar-2015 By Daniel Woolfson

Irish-ing up your coffee may well have gotten you kicked out of an establishment in the past, with your rusty hip flask in hand and an embittered snarl on your face. 

Diageo to provide calories and alcohol content per typical serve

19-Mar-2015 By Robyn Black

Smirnoff vodka and Guinness beer owner, Diageo, will become the first drinks company to provide drinkers with information on both nutritional information and alcohol content per typical serve, it announced today (19 March 2015).

Sweet smell of success for TCG's drinks menus

17-Mar-2015 By Robyn Black

TCG is printing this year’s spring drinks menu on strawberry scented card to “enhance the seasonal feel” for drinkers.

What will we be drinking in 2020?

10-Mar-2015 By Robyn Black

If kale, coconut water and craft beer were the tastes of 2014, what will we be drinking five years from now?

Pimm's strawberry and mint launched

09-Mar-2015 By Robyn Black

A new Pimm’s flavour aimed at the barbecue season is to launch next month (April 2015).

Diageo unveils the "bottle of the future"

04-Mar-2015 By Robyn Black

The bottle of the future, which it is claimed will “completely change the role of the bottle in the consumer experience,” has been unveiled by Diageo for its Johnnie Walker whisky brand.

New 'Barrel Back' serve for Jameson Whiskey

26-Feb-2015 By Robyn Black

The Jameson Barrel Back, a mini glass in the shape of a whisky barrel, has been launched in time for St Patrick’s Day (17 March).

FSA issues warning over counterfeit Glen's vodka

20-Feb-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

Counterfeit vodka labelled as Glen’s Vodka has been offered for sale in a number of outlets in London, the Midlands and North Scotland, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned.

Starbucks reveals plans to sell alcohol in more UK stores

20-Feb-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Starbucks is planning to roll out its evening concept – which includes the sale of alcohol – to other UK stores after its debut at the coffee giant’s Stansted Airport outlet.

Havana Club Añejo Especial gets upgrade

13-Feb-2015 By Jessica Mason

Pernod Ricard UK is launching a new look and new recipe for its Havana Club Añejo Especial rum.

Bacardi takes rum into the shot sector

12-Feb-2015 By Jessica Mason

Following its first redesign in a decade, Bacardi is taking aim at the growing shot market with a new spiced brand, set for launch this April, The Publican's Morning Advertiser can reveal.

After embracing #TryJanuary with vinegar soda, what will #FebruRum hold?

12-Feb-2015 By Robyn Black

I shall be very glad to see the back of Dry January, even though this year (as in all years) I rejected it in favour of Ginuary.

WKD shoots at the shot market for the first time

12-Feb-2015 By Robyn Black

WKD is entering the fast growing shot market for the first time with the launch of a 15% ABV sub-brand, WKD 1.

Video: New look and new names for Bacardi rums

10-Feb-2015 By Robyn Black

For the first time in a decade Bacardí rum has gained a new look.

Why we shouldn't be afraid to highlight the benefits of beer (and other booze)

29-Jan-2015 By Robyn Black

Tie flying in the wind, a man holding a red balloon floats high above the city, under the slogan “A taste for life.”

Magners adds some Irish spirit to its new cider

29-Jan-2015 By Robyn Black

The burgeoning “spider” (aka spirit cider) category has a new entrant in the form of Magners with Irish whiskey.

Personalised cocktails top Diageo’s drink predictions

26-Jan-2015 By Ruth Williams, M&C Report

Premiumisation and personalisation are filtering down to the on-trade drinks trends this year as Diageo hotly tips these to appeal to drinkers in 2015.

Sipsmith launches cordials for gin

22-Jan-2015 By Robyn Black

Charles Dickens’ favourite cocktail is among the inspiration behind a new range of cordials for gin, launched by the Sipsmith team.

St Remy Honey aims for the sweet spot

14-Jan-2015 By Robyn Black

Cellar Trends is readying a big push for its new St Remy Honey brand.

Belvedere unveils cocktails with health boosting ingredients

13-Jan-2015 By Robyn Black

Kale, matcha and dextrose, are among some of the “superfoods” used in a new range of Belvedere Vodka based cocktails, which aim to showcase a range of “better for you” drinks.