Coca-Cola and Pepsi roll out summer soft drinks support

This summer, licensees can get support in making mixed drinks from the two biggest players in the soft drinks market.

Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE) and Britvic have both launched initiatives based on improving pubs' serves of spirit and mixer drinks.

CCE is working with Diageo to send out over 3,500 point of sale (PoS) kits to pubs promoting three mixed drinks: Smirnoff and Coca-Cola, Bell's and Coca-Cola and Gordon's and Schweppes Tonic.

Sponsorship of Film 4's movies will feature Gordon's and Schweppes Tonic, Smirnoff and Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Bell's and Canada Dry Ginger Ale, and Pimm's and Schweppes Lemonade.

There will be sampling in mainline train stations during the evening commute later in the summer. And a large-scale Pimm's and Lemonade promotional campaign will take place during the Wimbledon tournament.

Ed Knight, CCE head of Communications said: "The campaign is also aimed at improving the quality of spirit and mixer serves across the on-trade, creating greater consumer interest and as a result, driving sales for licensees."

Britvic is distributing a new mixed drinks menu to pubs. It features serves including the 'Spiced Cuba Libre' made with Morgan's Spice Rum and Pepsi as well as pitcher serves of 'Passion Fruit Mai Tai' made from vodka, amaretto and Orange & Passion Fruit J2O.

Paul Linthwaite, business unit director of on-premise at Britvic, said: "The Britvic mixed drinks menu will create excitement in outlets by offering consumers variety and interesting alternatives to wine and standard spirits and mixers.

"More choice including a selection of summer share-size pitcher recipes will drive consumption of soft drinks, increase dwell time and create opportunities for consumers to spend more."