Ready to Drink

Drinks List 2023

The Drinks List – top brands to stock in 2023

28-Nov-2022 By The Morning Advertiser

This year’s Drinks List has seen great strides forward in terms of volume and value sales versus last year because the on-trade has been operating on a much better basis than during the heavily restrictive phases of the pandemic.

DRINKS LIST 2023

WKD Blue tops RTD category

28-Nov-2022 By Amelie Maurice-Jones

VK dominates the ready-to-drink (RTD) category this year, with three products making the list, and there are also two newcomers to watch out for.

Portman Group launches new guidance for Hard Seltzer and CBD drinks

08-Dec-2021 By Rebecca Weller

Following a 10% increase in requests for advice regarding hard-seltzers and alcoholic drinks containing CBD, the Portman Group has released new guidance in those categories through a new spotlight report, 25 Years of Responsible Alcohol Regulation.

The Drinks List

Crabbies tops RTD division, draught cocktails make big moves

03-Dec-2021 By Gary Lloyd

The ready-to-drink (RTD) category has seen some big losses as the restrictions on hospitality hit hard during the past year but, with CGA re-categorising draught cocktails as RTD, there are three new entrants to the top 10 that have been going great guns.

The Drinks List

The Drinks List – top brands to stock in 2022

29-Nov-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

This year’s Drinks List has been impacted by the fact the on-trade sector was either in lockdown or operating under restrictions from October 2020 to July 2021, which was a longer period than when the results was previously compiled.

Sponsored content

The products tasted in The MA's Virtual New Products Showcase

24-Mar-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

More than 30 operators took part in The Morning Advertiser's first Virtual New Products Showcase, in which a series of tastings were undertaken.

The Drinks List

The Drinks List – Top Brands to Stock in 2021

27-Nov-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Despite being closed for four months, facing strict curfews, tier systems and enduring a second national lockdown, drinks sales in the on-trade were strong when the sector was open.

In association with Kopparberg

Spiked sales: why operators shouldn’t go soft on hard seltzer

06-Jul-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Hard seltzers have been quietly making their way up the drinks trends ladder and establishing themselves in consumer repertoires – but what is this nascent category and is it worth pub and bar operators tapping into?

RTD beverages present ‘double burden to health’

22-Jan-2020 By Alice Leader

Popular sugary alcoholic drinks are a ‘double burden’ on consumers’ health because of their alcohol and sugar content, coupled with the huge cash onus placed on the NHS, according to new research.

Pimm’s records near sixfold increase in value

06-Dec-2019 By Alice Leader

Pimm’s No 1 has made quite the impression for its first appearance on The Morning Advertiser’s Drink List, seeing a 580.6% surge in value this year.

Drinks list 2020

The Drinks List: Top Brands to Stock 2020

26-Nov-2019 By Nicholas Robinson

Getting to grips with data in The Morning Advertiser’s Drinks List 2019 will give operators a head start in formulating successful drinks menus.

MA Podcast – Episode 2

Craft in gin is ‘an overused term’ says Warner’s Gin founder

18-Nov-2019 By Nicholas Robinson

The gin boom is not over, says the founder of Warner’s Gin Tom Warner in the second episode of The MA Podcast.

Alcohol-free cocktail range includes Aperol Spritz and Pink G&T alternatives

02-Oct-2019 By Emily Hawkins

A new drinks company has made its debut with a range of cocktails for teetotallers, including the first alcohol-free versions of two popular pub drinks.

Vermouth maker crowdfunds £100k for expansion into cans

20-Sep-2019 By Emily Hawkins

London spirits brand Asterley Bros has raised a £100,000 sum through a crowdfunding website to grow its reach.

Bloody Mary cocktail range to tackle 'inconsistency'

16-Jul-2019 By Emily Hawkins

A canned Bloody Mary cocktail has been launched by two friends who felt there was a gap in the market for premium versions of the cocktail in the off-trade.

In association with Imbibe

What’s on at Imbibe Live 2019?

30-May-2019 By Nicholas Robinson

Celebrating its 10th year, Imbibe Live is back at the London Olympia with a raft of expert speakers, along with new products and exhibitors, as The Morning Advertiser reveals in this guide to the show.

The Ultimate Guide to Low and No Alcohol

Low and no: what to stock

20-May-2019 By Phil Mellows

The range of low and no-alcohol beverages is a category ripe for picking – it’s up to you to choose the best available.

The Ultimate Guide to Low and No Alcohol

Low and no: how to sell

20-May-2019 By Phil Mellows

Taking the lead in offering great drinks as shown throughout this supplement is a fantastic start – but now you and your team needs to market them correctly.

The Ultimate Guide to Low and No Alcohol - in association with Club Soda

The boom of alcohol-free is a sticking trend

20-May-2019 By Nicholas Robinson

The fever for low and no-alcohol drinks is picking up pace – and fast. There’s plenty to choose from and plenty of advantages in serving those not needing alcohol

What trends are defining the £185m RTD category?

07-May-2019 By Stuart Stone

According to figures from CGA, the total value of ready-to-drink (RTD) sales in the UK last year was £472m – £185m of which was spent in the on-trade. But is the category all neon liquids and lairy labels?

MA Drinks podcast – in association with Diageo

How have drinking habits changed in 10 years?

25-Apr-2019 By Nicholas Robinson

The future of alcohol consumption has never been more in focus, with habits changing on an almost daily basis driven by lifestyle choices that, in turn, determine innovation. But what’s next for alcohol?

Labelling on sugary drinks dubbed a 'public health scandal'

17-Dec-2018 By Emily Hawkins

The labelling of sugary drinks has been lambasted as a “scandal” by politician Tom Watson and campaigners.

The Drinks List: Top Brands to Stock 2019

18-Nov-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

With so much conflicting research in the market and varying opinions from analysts, The Morning Advertiser’s Drinks List 2019 reveals exactly what is going on with sales at the bar.

Future multiple operator ties up energy drink deal

09-Nov-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Rock Point Leisure and premium energy drink company Rich Energy have signed an exclusive UK distribution agreement.

More under-25s cutting booze, research claims

10-Oct-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

Almost a third of younger consumers are avoiding alcohol, indicating a rising trend, a new study has claimed.

Not drinking alcohol in middle age 'increases dementia risk'

02-Aug-2018 By James Beeson

Not drinking in middle age can increase the risk of dementia as much as drinking too much, according to a new report published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Booze sales could be damaged with duty freeze cut

04-Jul-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

Scrapping the alcohol duty freeze put in place last year by Government is “counter-productive”, and will increase pressure on cash-strapped consumers, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association has warned (WSTA).

Pub drinkers ‘more likely’ to be retired or single

12-Jun-2018 By James Beeson

People who drink beer and cider in the pub once a week or more are more likely to be retired and single than those who drink at home, according to a new study.

Garden Fillers: how to maximise summer drinks sales in your pub

18-Apr-2018 By Emma Eversham

What Brits drink in pub gardens has evolved dramatically over the years, with promiscuous punters swapping their favourite tipple as frequently as the summer weather changes. But with hopes of a scorcher this year, operators and suppliers are already...

Global Brands reports annual rise in sales

22-Mar-2018 By James Beeson

Drinks producer and distributor Global Brands has reported a 16% rise in its annual sales for the year ending 30 September 2017.

Health watchdog pushes harder for mandatory alcohol labelling

13-Mar-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

A health watchdog that recently published potentially crippling alcohol labelling recommendations has poo-pooed the trade’s latest nutritional information proposal.

Pack up and leave: could changes to alcohol labelling shut the pub?

12-Feb-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

Recent calls for alcohol labelling to follow a similar route to cigarettes has caused concern among operators and brand owners alike, but are things as bad as they appear?

Drinkers’ Voice blasts new research recommending we only drink one unit a day

15-Jan-2018 By James Beeson

Alcohol consumer organisation Drinkers’ Voice has hit back at advice that consumers ought to avoid drinking more than one unit of alcohol per day.

The Drinks List: Top Brands To Stock 2018

20-Nov-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

With the on-trade drinks market moving at an ever-faster pace as operators try to keep pace with increasingly volatile drinkers, knowledge truly is power. Here, The Morning Advertiser brings you the facts behind the stats

Drinkaware: ‘We are not the booze police’

15-Nov-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

It is a busy Friday night in the pub and the punters are out in force enjoying themselves as the drinks flow from behind the bar. Just as things start to get into the swing, a distressed customer storms into the bar and frantically screams: “Everybody...

The Drinks List: Top Brands To Stock webinar launches

13-Nov-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Be the first to discover which drinks and trends are driving sales in the on-trade by tuning into The Morning Advertiser’s (MA) Drinks List: Top Brands To Stock free webinar this Thursday (16 November).

Ready-to-drink brands ‘will rise again’

18-Oct-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

The producer of several ready-to-drink brands including Hooch, VK, Hoopers and newly launched Crooked has claimed the category is ripe for a restart, predicting rising category sales in the near future.

Posh plonk sales up in branded pubs

05-Sep-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Brits are spending more to guzzle premium alcoholic drinks in branded pubs and fancy upmarket bars, CGA Alcohol Sales Tracker report data shows.

Ready-to-drink: ready to develop?

21-Aug-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The ready-to-drink category has struggled in recent years but is moving in the right direction. The big question now is whether the segment will ever return to the heights it achieved in the 1990s. 

Over 55s staying away from the pub and drinking at home

18-Aug-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Over 55s are more likely to drink at home instead of going to a traditional British pub, new YouGov research has claimed in its Getting in-home drinkers to go out report.

Imbibe Live 2017: top trends from the show

04-Jul-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Drinks trends that operators should look out for this year include the continued rise of gin, increased interest in foreign imports and rising interest in sparkling wines, five alcoholic drinks producers told The Morning Advertiser in this video.

VK advert on Facebook banned over ‘irresponsible drinking’

14-Jun-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint that Global Brands owned VK promoted unwise drinking styles and an advert placed on Facebook was “socially irresponsible”.

Hooch targets millions of drinkers with new ad campaign

31-May-2017 By James Beeson

Citrus ready-to-drink brand Hooch will launch a new multi-channel advertising campaign to push sales in the months ahead.

Alcohol delivery service scolded by ASA over ‘unwise’ memes

24-May-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

A drinks company that delivers alcohol to people’s homes struck the wrong chord with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after using memes promoting “unwise” alcohol consumption.

Is social media ruining the UK's pub culture?

08-May-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Millennials are drinking less than any other age group and licensees have put the blame on social media, but is this really the case?

Tesco exec takes top job at The Portman Group

28-Apr-2017 By Michelle Perrett

Former Tesco senior executive John Timothy is to take on the top role as chief executive of The Portman Group.

M&B targets younger 'drinkers' with new alcoholic popsicles

25-Apr-2017 By Helen Gilbert

Mitchells & Butlers is hoping to attract younger consumers with a selection of ‘Instagrammable’ premium alcoholic popsicles.

Pubs warned ‘watch out for duty cheats’ after rules tightened

19-Apr-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has urged pubs to be vigilant when purchasing alcohol following the introduction of tougher wholesale registration rules.

Pricey booze steadies wet sales in pubs

10-Apr-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Expensive alcohol is helping pubs, bars and restaurants to increase or maintain profits from wet sales as consumers look for more premium experiences.

CAMRA backs report on health benefits of alcohol

28-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has responded to a study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) that found moderate drinkers have a lower risk of heart attack, angina and heart failure when compared to teetotallers.