Sharp’s unveils Cold River, Cîroc creates ‘Summer Citrus’, Anspach & Hobday’s ‘local answer’ to Guinness

Low-calorie, 30% ABV botanical vodka, Trøve launches

Distil Plc, owner of premium drinks brands RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, Blavod Black Vodka, Jago's Cream Liqueur and Diva Vodka, has announced the launch of Trøve, a new range of lower ABV (30%) botanical vodkas distilled with real fruit and botanicals.

Trøve’s three variants – Valencian Orange with Lime, Green Apple with Ginger, and Raspberry with Lemongrass and Mint – are made with 100% natural ingredients, zero sugar or carbohydrates and is just 41 calories per 25ml serving and have been created in partnership with master distiller Sion Edwards – the founder of Warner’s Gin.

“We are delighted to be launching Trøve at a time when we believe consumers are looking for brands that allow them to make better choices without compromising on flavour,” Kate Alexander, Distil’s marketing and operations director, said of the launch. 

“Post-Covid in particular, consumers want to live healthier, more balanced lifestyles, but that doesn’t mean that they want to be teetotal.

“With Trøve, we’ve worked carefully to ensure that the flavour is distilled into the heart of the liquid. 

“The botanicals we’ve chosen not only naturally intensify the flavours of the fruit, but also help to develop complexity and a full mouthfeel, so you can easily create light, refreshing drinks that are bursting with fruit flavour but low in calories. 

“We’re confident that the brand will tick a lot of boxes for shifting consumer attitudes.”

Yorkshire entrepreneurs unite to create artisan Strawberry and Pink Peppercorn pour

Yorkshire drinks makers Otterbeck Distillery and Annabel’s Deliciously British have announced a new partnership to create Cotton Gin Strawberry and Pink Peppercorn.  

The premium small-batch gin is distilled at Otterbeck Distillery from botanicals including Yorkshire watercress, English coriander, local spruce, rowan berries, nettle leaves and mint, to complement ripe strawberries from Annabel’s farm.      

“This quintessentially British gin is summer in a glass,” Otterbeck’s Nicola Lampkin and Alexa Ives said. “Annabel’s strawberries are unparalleled, and we knew we wanted to work with only the best and support fellow women entrepreneurs. 

“We’re delighted to be able to launch this in time for summer 2021 – we all deserve a treat this year and there’s nothing quite that first gin of the summer to signify good times are ahead.” 

DrinkWell unveils own brand IPA  

Low-calorie alcoholic drink retailer, Drinkwell, has launched its own IPA in a bid to spearhead its lower calorie and carbs beer portfolio. A “classically brewed” IPA at 4.1% ABV, and containing 99 calories per 330ml bottle, Drinkwell IPA is also suitable for gluten-free and vegan diets. 

“We are seeing an increasing consumer shift towards different dietary needs and healthier lifestyles but that doesn’t mean that craft beer lovers have to sacrifice taste,” Tom Bell, founder and MD of DrinkWell said.  

“DrinkWell IPA is brewed In Britain to give a full flavoured beer that can be enjoyed by everyone, including those looking to consume fewer calories and fewer carbohydrates.”  

Super-premium vodka Cîroc reveals limited ‘Summer Citrus’ edition 

Luxury vodka brand Cîroc is adding a 37.5% ABV ‘Summer Citrus’ variant to its portfolio. The new expression combines fine French grapes with hints of blood orange and zesty lime. 

Summer Citrus will be available in selected retailers and wholesalers from 10 May and available in the on-trade later this year.

“Cîroc vodka is renowned for its super-premium quality and diverse portfolio which caters to all celebratory occasions,” Laura Pearce, category marketing director, Diageo GB at Diageo comments. 

“We are extremely excited about the latest launch, Summer Citrus, as it offers consumers something new just ahead of the summer season. Cîroc Summer Citrus is best served over ice with soda water or lemonade.”

Anspach & Hobday announces London Black

Independent London craft brewery Anspach & Hobday has announced the launch of its brand-new Nitro Porter, 4.4% ABV London Black. 

Available exclusively in keg, Anspach & Hobday are currently taking orders for London Black. 

“Despite the meteoric rise of craft beers, there is one style still absolutely dominated by a single macrobrewery brand,” chairman and co-founder Jack Hobday said of the launch. “That is the Nitro-Stout otherwise known as Guinness, a Diageo omnipresent mega brand.  

“That multinational giant is rightly Dublin’s through and through. We may be small and independent but London Black, is our local answer.   

“Largely because of the dominance of Guinness, a dry-stout, Porters are a lesser-known style of dark beer,” he added. “The reality is that Porters are the beautiful original dark beers of London.  

“As with anything at Anspach & Hobday, we make traditional beers modern. It is incredibly satisfying to be able to enjoy a sessionable smooth dark beer that has real flavour and is made where it will be enjoyed: London.”

Luxlo creates mid-proof spirit

Luxlo-For Gin Lovers is just 28kcal per 25ml measure with an ABV of 20% and is available in four flavours: Ginny, Blood Orange, Pomegranate & Raspberry, and Passion Fruit.   

“After being unable to find a mid-proof drink that wasn’t too sweet or overpowering in terms of flavour, I decided to create a spirit for the mindful drinker who wanted to drink less but drink better,” founder Steve Adams said.  

“Consumer demand for lower ABV drinks is at an all-time high with Gen Z drinking less alcohol and with a preference for quality spirits and high-end cocktails.  

“Although there are plenty of options in the wine and beer categories, there’s nothing in the mid-proof spirit category, unless you want an incredibly sweet sherry, cherry brandy liqueur or cream-based, calorie-laden drink. These were not an option for me, so I began developing Luxlo.” 

Biggar and Leith launch The Gladstone Axe Malt Whisky 

Fine wine and spirits company, Biggar and Leith, has launched new brand The Gladstone Axe Malt Whisky – named after four-time Prime Minister, William Gladstone. 

The whisky is said to be a modern twist on classic Scotch and boasts two expressions in its range – The Gladstone Axe American Oak and The Gladstone Axe The Black Axe.  

The whiskies were created in honour of Gladstone by his great-great-great Grandson, Elwyn Gladstone, founder of Biggar and Leith. 

William Gladstone was Prime Minister during the reign of Queen Victoria and had a legendary collection of axes. His passion was for felling trees as a way of relaxing and exercising.

“We are really excited to be launching a new blended malt whisky bearing the name of my ancestor who was a great figurehead,” Elwyn Gladstone said. “In 1860, he signed the Spirts Act which allowed the blending of Scotch Whisky for the first time, essentially creating the Scotch Whisky industry as we know it today.  

“Our family origins are in Scotland and Gladstone had a love for the country.  He said, “There is not a drop of blood in me that is not Scottish.”  I am proud to be able to honour him with this exciting new modern classic whisky.”

Hofmeister launches Weisse and Ultra Low beers ​

Relaunched Bavarian Helles lager, Hofmeister, is launching two new brews – a Weisse beer and a 0.5% Ultra Low Helles variety.

The new launches are the first additions Hofmeister since it was relaunched into the UK beer market in 2017 by entrepreneurs Richard Longhurst and Spencer Chambers.

“The plan was always to start with a classic helles then build the range out into other styles that are part of the fabric of Bavarian brewing,” Chambers explained. “We have had a lot of success with our Helles and we were particularly delighted with online sales during the back end of 2020. 

"But we also want to give our growing customer base, across a wide range of premium bars, pubs and specialist stores, the opportunity to serve more of their customers with two styles of beer that suit very different, but increasingly important, drinking occasions.

“Both the wheat beer and ultra low alcohol categories have seen enormous growth in the last couple of years, with lots of new entrants to the market, but we believe our traditional, Bavarian styles bring something new to these categories that beer drinkers have not seen before in the UK.”  

Shandy brand founded by two NHS doctors

Shandy Shack’s Elderflower Lager Top combines a pilsner lager with a splash of elderflower pressé and comes in at a lower ABV of 2.5% and just 105 calories per 330ml. It is also vegan and gluten-free.

Oxford-based Shandy Shack was founded by three friends in their twenties, including two NHS doctors, one of whom continues to practise part-time, while the other is volunteering to give vaccinations.

“The trend towards alcohol moderation has greatly accelerated over the last year, with people looking to enjoy at-home drinking moments during the pandemic while also growing increasingly health-conscious,” Ed Stapleton, co-founder of Shandy Shack said. 

“We’re here to revive the shandy and restore it to its rightful place as the country’s favourite lower-alcohol drink. 

“We’re taking a drink that had its heyday in the 70s and 80s and giving it a fresh craft beer spin for the modern moderator. As well as being lower in alcohol, our drinks are gluten-free and vegan-friendly.”

Sharp's creates Cold River Cider  

The Cornwall-based, Molson Coors owned, maker of Doom Bar has rolled out a new premium cider brand in the UK on-trade, in partnership with Aspall Cyder House. 

Sharp’s Cold River Cider combines Aspall’s expertise and Sharp’s innovative thinking to create a premium 4.5% ABV medium-dry apple cider. 

James Nicholls, marketing controller for Sharp’s Brewery, said: “At Sharp’s Brewery we continually strive to deliver balanced, quality beverages which speak of where they come from.

“Last year, we journeyed up-river from our Cornish estuary home to Aspall cyder house in Suffolk. There, after a meeting of minds between our beer sommelier, Ed Hughes, and the Aspall master cider makers, Cold River Cider was forged, fusing Aspall’s taste-making expertise with Sharp’s fresh perspectives to create this delicious new cider. 

“In Cold River Cider, we have created something truly unique; a crisp and moreish, refreshing medium-dry apple cider, flowing with a fresh approach and refreshing look, challenging the usual design conventions of traditional ciders,” he continued.

“Cold River Cider will really deliver for those customers looking to premiumise their cider range with something a little bit different, but with the exceptional quality product you’d expect from Sharp’s and Aspall. We can't wait to get out there and enjoy a pint of Cold River Cider with friends this summer."