Spirits & Cocktails

In association with Diageo

How can pubs prepare to reopen in 2021?

29-Mar-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

With less than a fortnight before outside service is permitted and under two months until inside trading is allowed, Diageo has outlined top tips on how operators can reopen.

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.

Big Interview

Seeing £1m St Patrick’s Day support package claimed within ‘a few hours’ set alarm bells ringing

17-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Diageo GB managing director Dayalan Nayager reflects on a St Patrick's Day like no other for the team behind Guinness, and explains why ‘tomato juice moments’ can help the on-trade bounce back from its Covid symptoms.

Operators warned of fines for unlicenced cocktail deliveries

11-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators have been warned that they need special permission from HMRC for the off-sale of pre-mixed cocktails.

International Women's Day 2021

Time to ‘step up’ and showcase female talent in drinks and hospitality

08-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Managing director of the 2020 UK Gin Producer of the Year, Carmen O'Neal distills why she believes International Women's Day has taken on added significance during the Covid-19 pandemic, and why collaboration is key to women continuing to unlock...

Double Dutch launches scholarship for aspiring female bartenders

08-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Premium tonic and mixer brand Double Dutch is celebrating International Women’s Day 2021 by unveiling its Female Bartender Scholarship Programme.

Online event

Free samples: The Virtual New Products Showcase

01-Mar-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

Want to get your hands on the hottest new products soon to hit the on-trade? If you’re a pub or bar operator with responsibility over purchasing decisions, then we’d love to hear from you!

New product round-up

3 Michelin-star chef-inspired gin, Tanqueray creates alcohol-free pour, new spirits' profit pledges

26-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

Alongside the launch of a gin inspired by the cuisine of Anne-Sophie Pic and a low and no Tanqueray variant, Equiano Rum Co and Elephant Gin have pledged to donate respective profits their new spirit launches to Anti-Slavery International and African...

New product round-up

Kopparberg Passionfruit & Orange Cider launch, limited editions from Eden Mill and Compass Box

19-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

This latest new product round-up includes more pours from Kopparberg, Eden Mill, Compass Box and TW Kempton.

New product round-up

Ryan Reynolds unveils Wrexham AFC gin, Super Bock UK partnership, ‘World’s first’ Indian white spiced rum

12-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

This new product round-up includes news of UK rollouts for the ‘world’s first’ Indian white spiced rum and Portuguese pour Super Bock as well as a limited-edition release of Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin.

New product round-up

‘England’s first’ carbon-negative gins, Queer Brewing unveils core range, Tanqueray creates Blackcurrant serve

05-Feb-2021 By Stuart Stone

The latest new product round-up includes 'firsts' from UK-based gin distillers, more pours from premium gin brand Tanqueray and new brews from Queer Brewing.

New product round-up

Absolut Vodka unveils paper bottle, New York Distilling Company and Trois Rivières distribution deals

29-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

This not so dry January product round-up includes news from Eden Mill, Campari UK, Mangrove UK and Absolut Vodka.

New product round-up

Sir Geoff Hurst launch to support Alzheimer and dementia charities, Boss Brewing ‘protest beer’

18-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

The final new product round-up before Christmas 2020 includes a protest pour from Boss Brewing, a gin launch from TV presenter Julia Bradbury, and World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst unveiling a limited-edition gin and whisky collection.

Sponsored by Diageo

How to install draught cocktails

11-Dec-2020 By The Morning Advertiser

The growth of draught cocktail technology means pubs with little time or bar space to make cocktails can now easily tap into this profitable category.

New product round-up

Beavertown revives Tempus Project, Kingstone Press low alcohol cider, Fever-Tree creates new mixer

11-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

A wave of product launches includes new creations from Beavertown, Aluna Coconut, Signature Brew and Fever-Tree.

New product round-up

Coca-Cola launches into Europe alcohol market, new spirits celebrate Birmingham, Salty Tiers released

04-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

Amid a wave of new spirit launches, the Coca-Cola Company has announced that Topo Chico Hard Seltzer has reached the UK.

Has Covid-19 shaken up low and no alcohol pub drinks?

03-Dec-2020 By Stuart Stone

The coronavirus pandemic not only failed to burst the low and no bubble but helped reinforce the category’s importance in the embattled on-trade.

New product round-up

Captain Sir Tom Moore charity gin, new Gemma Collins liqueur ‘worthy of any diva’, World Cup winner unveils ale

27-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

In addition to more festive and low-alcohol pours, Captain Sir Tom Moore, Gemma Collins and Rugby World Cup winner Steve Thompson MBE have announced new drinks launches.

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.

New product round-up

Christmas spirits: 'world first' vodka, non-alcoholic rum alternative and 'Sea & T' RTDs unveiled

20-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

A wave of new spirit news including updates from botanical rum distillery the Spirited Union, the Cotswolds Distillery, Nordic beverage brand Altia and alcohol-free spirit maker Caleño has landed in the past week.

Countdown to Brexit

Post-Brexit supply chains: ‘We don’t know what we’re preparing for’

16-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

As Britain edges towards the end of an 11-month Brexit transition period, drinks makers and pub sector stakeholders remain hopeful the lack of clarity over supply chains will be addressed in the coming weeks.

New product round-up

Royal British Legion gin, Apprentice mainstay rebuke and Christmas spirits pour in

13-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

The latest new product round-up is awash with a flood of festive launches and new spirit launches including a Royal British Legion tribute and a bitter lemon dig at an Apprentice stalwart.

Christmas stocking: which drinks should make pub and bar operator lists this year?

10-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

Though drink sales in pubs traditionally snowball over Christmas, the ongoing pandemic means that, more than ever, strong seasonal returns will be far from gift wrapped when venues reopen.

Post-lockdown profits hidden in cocktails

09-Nov-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

It was the rising star of the on-trade outside of specialist bars, yet cocktails in pubs understandably took a bashing during and after the first coronavirus lockdown. But forget the category at your peril, because the money generated by cocktails prior...

New product round-up

‘World’s strongest gin’, Jurassic Park actor’s whiskey collaboration, brewer creates Burnham beer

06-Nov-2020 By Stuart Stone

A pair of scientists launch what they claim is the world's strongest gin, Salford-based Seven Bro7hers brews Andy Burnham tribute and Samuel Gelston’s launches its latest Irish whiskey matured in Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill’s Pinot Noir casks.

New product round-up

Gin-spiration: Charity 10pm curfew spirit launch, ‘bottle for life’ roll-out, new pour to fund arctic row

30-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

A raft recent spirit launches includes new pours from Salcombe Distilling Company and Laphroaig, as well as charity focused Sis4ers Distillery and Northwest Passage Expedition gins.

Rum crowned ‘the drink of lockdown’

27-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

New figures from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) have revealed rum enjoyed the biggest growth across all spirits categories during lockdown.

Diageo buys Chase distillery

26-Oct-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Spirits giant Diageo has acquired family-owned Chase Distillery and its portfolio of brands for an undisclosed sum.

New product round-up

Wave of new spirit expressions launch, Barbados Sea Turtle Project partner rum to hit UK

09-Oct-2020 By Stuart Stone

Intercontinental Brands has added a spiced rum pledging 10% of its profits to the Barbados Sea Turtle Project to its brand portfolio, while new spirit releases from the likes of The Moore House Cocktail Company, JJ Whitley Vodka, Jatt Life also landed....

New product round-up

Fruit flavoured serves the pick of latest product launches

20-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

From a pair of passion fruit pours and a tayberry tipple to the launch of a trio of schnapps serves, there are berry rich pickings for operators among the glut of new fruit flavoured products in this week's round-up.

Video

Fear table service will stunt small drinks brands

19-Aug-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Smaller drinks producers fear table service will stifle sales as consumers won’t be able to see a pub’s full range, a craft gin maker has said.

New product round-up

Wave of spirits, low-calorie seltzers and spritzes floods post-lockdown market

14-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

The past week has seen Signature Brew join forces with Mercury Prize shortlisted Sports Team, Bowmore announce a £50,000 limited-edition whisky in tandem with Aston Martin and a host of low-calorie pours hit the market.

NEW PRODUCT ROUND-UP

Bacardi and Dead Man’s Fingers grow rum range

06-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

Both Bacardi and Dead Man’s Fingers have added new variants ahead of National Rum Day on 16 August, while Everards and Robinsons have launched limited edition beers.

Diageo records 4% GB sales slump as global profit halves

04-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

Beverage behemoth Diageo recorded a 4% drop in net sales in Great Britain as the company saw its global operating profit cut by 47.1% by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The MA new product review

6 O'Clock Gin launches two new flavours

14-Jul-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Craft gin producer 6 O'Clock Gin has launched a new series of ready-to-drink products to its range. Find out more by watching the latest MA New Products Review video

Covid-19 crisis can ‘sharpen focus’ on hospitality as a highly skilled sector

10-Jul-2020 By Stuart Stone

The founder of East London Liquor Company has stressed that the trials and tribulations of the Covid-19 lockdown can help the hospitality sector shake off its reputation for being low skilled.

In association with Diageo

How to sell spirits post-lockdown

24-Jun-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

What will customers want when the pub trade reopens is the million-pound question operators across the UK are likely to be asking as they prepare their sites for the first influx of socially distanced punters. And following a steady uptick in sales over...

$100m on-trade global recovery fund launched by Diageo

24-Jun-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Spirits and beer giant Diageo has announced the launch of a global recovery fund for the on-trade which will see $100m (£79m) of financial support made available to the hospitality sector.

Jägermeister donates 1m shots to boost pub sales

24-Jun-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Spirits giant Mast-Jaegermeister UK will donate 1m shots of Jägermeister to bars and pubs to support them with reopening this summer.

Heineken family acquires minority stake in Double Dutch

11-Jun-2020 By Stuart Stone

The Heineken family has acquired a 10% stake in award-winning premium tonic and mixer brand Double Dutch Drinks.

Top 50 Cocktail Bars

Lessons for UK cocktail bars from Spain

06-May-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

While the coronavirus pandemic has caused significant headaches for countless businesses across the world, in some ways it has brought sectors closer together. With everyone facing the same challenges, now is the time to learn the challenges other operators...

#Unitedwestand

Ryan Reynolds to donate 30% of UK gin sales to bar staff during Covid-19

27-Apr-2020 By Stuart Stone

Almost a third of Aviation Gin’s online sales will be donated to The Drinks Trust in an effort to support bar staff through the Covid-19 pandemic, actor, producer and the brand’s owner Ryan Reynolds has announced.

#UnitedWeStand

Top 50 Cocktail Bars launches online speakeasy

20-Apr-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Top 50 Cocktail Bars has launched an online, invite-only, speakeasy bar with partner Kuckoo and is set to open the virtual doors for the first time this Thursday evening (23 April).

In association with Diageo

Diageo shows strong commitment to sector

08-Apr-2020 By The Morning Advertiser

Diageo has unveiled help for its customers through phone lines so they can access financial assistance, equipment care and also live online training.

#Unitedwestand

William Grant to add two Olympic swimming pools’ worth of ethanol to hand sanitiser effort

30-Mar-2020 By Stuart Stone

The maker of Glenfiddich, Monkey Shoulder and Hendrick’s gin has pledged 5m litres of ethanol to the hand sanitiser production drive in order to combat the spread of coronavirus.

#UnitedWeStand

Diageo pledges major support for on-trade

23-Mar-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Global drinks supplier Diageo has pledged a £1m fund to help operators during the coronavirus pandemic, as well the launch of a new information line for the independent, licensed business owners.

Absolut launches passion fruit variant

16-Mar-2020 By Alice Leader

Absolut is set to continue its strong presence in the flavoured vodka category by introducing a tropical flair of passion fruit as its newest addition.

Dead Man’s Fingers launches pineapple rum

11-Mar-2020 By Alice Leader

Tapping into the booming cocktails trend, rum brand Dead Man’s Fingers is taking tropical fruit to the dark side with the launch of its new pineapple rum.

Budget 2020

Pubs win in Budget 2020 with significant financial support

11-Mar-2020 By Nicholas Robinson

Teetotal Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak paid critical attention to the pub trade in the release of his 2020 Budget today (11 March), as the sector braces itself for a hammering by coronavirus.

Budget 2020

Budget 2020 – Duty increase on beer, cider, wine and spirits frozen

11-Mar-2020 By MA Reporters

Freeze on alcohol duties and business rates on pubs with rateable value under £51,000 abolished. Plus, national living wage to rise to £10.50 per hour by 2024. Here is a blow-by-blow account of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak's first Budget.