New products round-up

Festive drinks released in time for Christmas

By Gary Lloyd

- Last updated on GMT

Christmas cheer: new beverages on the market
Christmas cheer: new beverages on the market

Related tags Spirits Wine Soft drinks Rtd Cocktails Branding + marketing

Burleighs has employed a rare production process to make its limited-edition Christmas Gin, Tuscan Tree targets a sequel Aperitivo, Vida Wines & Spirits shows off a few of its wines, Netherlands-based Ful launches its Spirulina Fizz trio and Liquid Diamond has made its TOWIE star Amy Childs-backed Prosecco on sale.

‘Rare’ production process for Burleighs festive gin

Craft gin producer Burleighs has launched a limited-edition spirit for the festive period, which is said to use an “innovative and rare production process”.

Mulled Christmas Gin has been created by head distiller Charlie Hendon via a process that steeps the botanicals in a full-bodied red wine before the ingredients are distilled.

Botanicals including nutmeg, ginger, liquorice root, star anise and cloves have been used to create the drink.

Burleighs head distiller Charlie Hendon said: “Steeping the ingredients in red wine prior to distillation is a new process for us here at Burleighs and is also a highly innovative method that is rarely used when distilling gin.

“However, it has been the perfect way to infuse a mulled wine aroma into our gin for this new festive offering.”

The combination of the botanicals in Mulled Christmas Gin is said to deliver a fruity gin with warming spice and vibrant flavour.

Burleighs Gin commercial director Sam Watson added: “We aim to create exciting new products and we’re not afraid to experiment with the processes or the ingredients we use. The way our Christmas Gin is made is a prime example of our tenacity, and with a fantastic mix of ingredients to evoke this special time of year, our new product is something we’re really proud of.”

This is the second Christmas gin created by Leicester-based Burleighs Gin since the company began in 2014 and is one of several new products launched by the local distiller this year – including its ready-to-drink gin and tonic cans and more recently, the National Forest Gin, which gives a donation from every bottle sold to the National Forest. Burleighs Christmas Gin costs £40 per bottle.

RESIZEDChristmas.Gin.Bottle

Tuscan Tree unveils sequel variant

Non-alcoholic Aperitivo producer Tuscan Tree, which launched in the UK earlier this year, is set to unveil a second variant.

Fiore di Sambuco Aperitivo is a 0% ABV distilled spirit that has been infused with elderflower blossom, alongside a bespoke selection of botanicals, including Sicilian lemon, cedar wood oil, juniper peel and berry, orange peel, rhubarb root and Italian sparkling wine.  Like the original Tuscan Tree Blood Orange, it takes its inspiration from Italy and celebrates the Italian culture of ‘Aperitivo hour’. Tuscan Tree ‘Cloudy Elderflower’ will have an RRP of £12 (70cl) and be available across on-trade channels via distributor Craftwork.

Tuscan Tree said sales for its Blood Orange launch this year quickly exceeding targets with listings gained across on and off-trade sectors, particularly because of its competitive price point, which takes into account the zero-rate tax on a non-alcoholic drink.

Carl Stephenson, founder of The Bloomsbury Club UK, creators of Tuscan Tree, said: “Since we launched Tuscan Tree in March 2021, we have seen the non-alcoholic sector go from strength to strength and have been delighted with the success of Tuscan Tree Blood Orange within the category. 

“Price point has been key for us, and we are seen as extremely competitive compared to other similar brands, which often retail around 50% more, with pricing aligned to taxable alcoholic equivalents. We will be looking to further extend the range in 2022 and are focused on building a brand which has long-term relevance within the low and no category.”

Production of its non-alcoholic spirits is said to be a complex process, using a traditional copper pot still to produce individual distillates, which have the alcohol removed before blending and bottling. It is designed to be served as a non-alcoholic spritz: one or two measures of Tuscan Tree over ice, topped with tonic or soda.

RESIZEDTuscan.Tree.Cloudy.Elderflower.lifestyle.shot

Vida Wines & Spirits offers a festive selection

New wine business Vida Wines & Spirits, which specialises in wines from across central and eastern Europe, has picked out some potential festive favourites that could tempt customers to settle in for the evening at your pub.

Vida’s Viognier 2020 (£9.99) from Bulgaria is said to be delicate on the nose with elegance and wide aromatic nuances, and has a mix of aromatic herbs, apricot jam and touches of toast on the palate that pairs well with Asian foods, white meats or succulent cheeses. While its Averesti Selectie Cabernet Sauvignon NV (£7.99) is a medium-bodied Romanian wine with “great depth and rich aromas of black cherries”. This wine goes well with antipasti, meats or a barbecue.

Vida said its Kristančič Chardonnay 2019 (£14.69) from Slovenia is complex, elegant and develops well on the palate and is fruity, fresh and has small mineral notes. It pairs ideally with poultry, pork, butternut squash and sweet potato foods.

Austrian wine Karl Fritsch Riesling Mordthal 2019 (£21.79) is a medium yellow-green colour and is said to accentuate stone fruit, yellow apple and honey blossom notes, and has minerality and a special texture. It is slightly sweet and has long length and fantastic ageing potential. This wine is said to bode well with lean meat, and would be beautifully enjoyed with Turkey if that is the roast in question on Christmas day.

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Ful launches drinks range with health benefits

Female-led start-up Ful has launched a drinks range that uses Spirulina – a combination of elements and antioxidants.

The Spirulina Fizz range comprises White Peach, Lemon & Ginger and Lime & Mint flavours, which the Netherlands-based Ful team said can be drunk on their own or mixed into non-alcoholic and alcoholic cocktails.

Spirulina Fizz is a blend of carbonated water, Ful Spirulina and natural flavourings to create a range of low calorie, low carbohydrate drinks. Spirulina brings calcium, plant-based protein, iron, magnesium, vitamin B2 and powerful antioxidants together.

Ful’s mission is to make Spirulina more accessible to the mainstream as well educate consumers of the health benefits and climate positive effects of it. The company claims Ful Spirulina is better tasting than standard spirulina and is ‘climate positive’ because, during its production, ‘CO2 recycling’ takes place – a process that converts more CO2 into oxygen and nutrients than it emits in the production process.

Ful chief executive Julia Steuli said: “Ful Spirulina Fizz has the feeling of a sparkling soft drink, with the health benefits of a juice, minus the sugar. What we eat and drink everyday matters and presents an opportunity for us as consumers to make a difference. Our vision is to unlock the potential of a climate positive food source by making products that don’t compromise on convenience or taste.” 

Ful is distributed in the UK by Diverse Fine Foods.

RESIZEDFUL.LifestyleCrop

Liquid Diamond fizz backed by TOWIE star launches

A new Prosecco drink called Amy x Liquid Diamond, which is backed by The Only Way is Essex​ (TOWIE) star Amy Childs, was launched this week.

Although the initial release has been limited to 1,000 orders, on-trade operators can made a purchase via Beyond Wines. The 75cl bottles can be bought individually boxed from £35 each or in larger quantities of six or 12 units at a cost of £84 and £144 respectively.

Produced in Italy, Liquid Diamond said the dry white Prosecco features flavours of apricot, apple and pear. The wine is bottled in an elegant cut-glass bottle inspired by diamonds and healing crystals, which is said to be in line with Childs’ personal ambitions to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing and Liquid Diamond’s ongoing support of mental health charities. A percentage of the Prosecco profits will go towards Menta Health First Aider courses.

Childs said: “It’s always been a dream to launch my own Prosecco and I’m so proud of just how great Amy x Liquid Diamond looks and tastes. I’m so excited that the day has finally arrived and everyone will be enjoying the glamour and beauty of both the bottle and Prosecco very soon.  I’ve learnt so much about the production process and I’m so pleased we have managed to launch it at such a special time of year. I really hope everyone will enjoy drinking it as much as I have making it.”

Liquid Diamond co-founder Alex Green added: “Our collaboration with Amy feels incredibly natural. She is a huge Prosecco fan and enjoys the fun and sociable aspect of enjoying a glass of bubbles with friends. This Prosecco has been made for the multitude of reality television fans out there, who enjoy sipping a glass of something special with friends, sharing pre-drinks on social media or choosing a beautiful bottle for a present.” 

RESIZEDAmy.Childs.with.Liquid.Diamond

If you have any new products that are 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 tnel.yyblq@jeoz.pbz​​​​​​​​​. 

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