Picnic Gin is top new product

Summer’s strawberries and cream staple has been channelled into an ABV 37.5% gin by small-batch distiller Poetic License at its north east pub, bar and hotel on Roker’s seafront in Sunderland.

You can also try…

Rhubarb Gin​
Coming in at ABV 40% and at £28 a bottle, Warner Edward’s Victoria’s Rhubarb Gin packs a real fruit punch and can be used in cocktails throughout the year with ginger sodas and tonics or served on its own.

Rhuby liqueur​
Swedish-made Rhuby rhubarb liqueur (ABV 20%) is a newcomer to the UK market from distributor Halewood International. A pleasant rhubarb tartness hits the palate first, which is then rounded off with vanilla. £30

Lanique liqueur​
Thousands of rose petals are used in Lanique’s ABV 39% rose liqueur, which is made using a 200 year-old recipe. It has light rose and raspberry flavours with a hint of lime. £22–£24

The limited edition strawberries and cream Picnic Gin has already sold over 1,200 bottles after launching for the summer in June and complements the year-old company’s core range of a Northern Dry Gin (ABV 43.2%), Old Tom Gin (ABV 41.6%) and a Graceful Vodka (ABV 40.4%).

Strawberries hit the nose and palate in the first sip, which has delicate overtones of juniper and a delicious tongue-coating finish of cream. There are more typical gin notes of coriander and orris root on closer inspection, which separate this characterful liquid from a liqueur.

Serving suggestions for this £32.50 per-bottle gin include straight over ice or mixed with an elderflower tonic or soda. However, we suggest stirring 50ml of Picnic Gin with 15ml rosso vermouth over ice in a beaker for 30 seconds, before straining into a martini glass and garnishing with a mint-pierced strawberry for the perfect picnic martini.

Stockists include LWC, Matthew Clark and Speciality Drinks.

Operator's view: ​

James Nye, Anglian Country Inn's MD: ​

“Obviously gin is massive at the moment and flavoured gins will give consumers something to be more excited about. Strawberries and cream will be an excellent seasonal drink to offer customers.“I like the idea of strawberries and cream gin cocktails because it will give operators a bit of an edge and the product on its own or in cocktails will standout on menus because it sounds and looks so different to what’s out there already.

“It’s a niche product and wouldn’t sit in every venue, but a trendy pub or even wet-led pubs with nice gardens might be interested in making summer cocktails with this. We use Pinkster’s Raspberry gin at the moment to exploit that demand for niche and flavoured gins.”

Best of the rest:​

Ribena Sparkling​
This on-trade exclusive softie comes in three flavours – blackcurrant and cranberry, pineapple and passion fruit, and apple and blackcurrant. It’s a lightly sparkling drink with less than 15 calories per-serve and a suggested price of £2.10 per-serve. Serve in a tall glass over ice with a citrus garnish to match the flavour.

Peychauds Aperitivo​
The new trend for lower-ABV, crisper and cleaner tasting cocktails has resulted in the launch of Peychauds Aperitivo, an American spin on an Italian classic that costs £14–£15 a bottle. This Hi Spirits-distributed ABV 11% liquid can be used in cocktails like negronis or served on its own over ice.

Cyclhops​
J.W. Lees is offering free social media marketing support, posters and pump clips for the launch of its new ABV 4.2% straw-coloured ale Cyclhops, which has a clean, fresh and fruity aroma along with a clean, crisp finish. The golden ale is available from the brewer now until August.