Soft Drink

DRINKS MASTERCLASS

How to make a Double Dutch Raspberry Repair cocktail

12-Feb-2024 By Rebecca Weller

This week's Drinks Masterclass showcases a recipe from soft drinks brand Double Dutch. Ready in less than three minutes, the Raspberry Repair is a "simple" and "versatile" cocktail that can help freshen your drinks menu, the brand...

Schweppes unveils first European-wide brand ambassador scheme

08-Feb-2024 By Nikkie Thatcher

Soft drink firm Schweppes has launched its new European-wide, brand ambassador programme.

Vote: did fewer people drink alcohol this January compared to previous years?

29-Jan-2024 By Ed Bedington

Reports are claiming that growing numbers of consumers are embracing the dry January challenge this year more than ever.

Nearly half of young people opt for low and no

03-Jan-2024 By Rebecca Weller

The number of 18 to 24-year-olds regularly drinking alternatives to alcohol in the UK has increased by 13 percentage points during the past two years.

NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP

Kopparberg announces limited-edition summer cider

17-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up features new products from Kopparberg, Schweppes, Peroni, Salcombe Distilling Co, Greene King, Three Drinkers and Bombay Sapphire.

NEW PRODUCTS ROUND-UP

Bacardi announces new spiced rum

10-Mar-2023 By Rebecca Weller

This week's round-up features new products from Bacardi, Whitley Neill, Nirvana Brewery, Luscombe, Hogs Back Brewery and Black Sheep Brewery.

Why to attend Low2NoBev 2022

14-Sep-2022 By The Morning Advertiser

Low and no-alcohol pioneers have outlined why Low2NoBev 2022 is a must attend event for the sector.

NEW PRODUCTS ROUND UP

London Essence launches new mixer

04-Jul-2022 By Rebecca Weller

This weeks new products round up includes new serves from London Essence and Freixenet Copestick as well as three new cask ales from Salcombe Brewery, Bruha and Hogs back.

Opinion

Whatever changes, the perfect range will always be a balancing act

29-Mar-2022 By Mark Bentley, on-trade controller at Molson Coors

Mark Bentley, on-trade category controller at Molson Coors, reflected on how the hospitality sector is bouncing back after the challenges of the pandemic, and what outlets can do to anticipate behavioural change from customers.

In association with Fentimans

Key drink trends for summer 2021: Premium pours, gin growth and independent brands

10-May-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

With the help of experts from across the on-trade, The Morning Advertiser and premium drinks brand Fentimans have poured over a handful of trends worth watching as the parched public return to pubs and bars.

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.

#Unitedwestand

St Austell donates 800 bottles of soft drinks to front-line NHS staff

27-Apr-2020 By Stuart Stone

Cornish brewer and pub operator St Austell Brewery has joined forces with takeaway and delivery service Pub Grub to deliver 800 bottles of soft drink to staff at Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Little interview

Low and no drinkers need to ‘feel like part of the group’

06-Mar-2020 By Stuart Stone

‘Sociability’ is an essential ingredient in creating a successful low and no-alcohol product according to Richard Clark, founder and managing director of Drynks.

Gap in demand and availability of low-alcohol options

28-Jan-2020 By Emily Hawkins

While the number of people trying low-alcohol drinks is growing, customers say they still struggle finding teetotal options when drinking and dining out of home.

How are pub operators meeting demand for non-alcoholic drinks?

17-Oct-2019 By Emily Hawkins

As the market for non-alcoholic drinks increases by the day, operators reveal what they are doing to meet the ever-growing demands.

'Market for mocktails will only increase'

28-Aug-2019 By Emily Hawkins

The popularity of mocktails shows no sign of stopping and will drive the premium drinks category, according to the founder of soft drinks supplier Peter Spanton Drinks.

The latest mixers trends

26-Mar-2019 By Emily Hawkins

The mixers market is rapidly diversifying to match the changing preferences of modern drinkers. Here are some of the trends you should be aware of.

Fatty and sugary food and drink consulation launched

14-Jan-2019 By Nicholas Robinson

Pubs could come under more pressure as the Government launches a consultation on whether or not to ban fatty and sugar food promotions.

New Coca-Cola Plus Coffee could be ripe for UK extension

09-Nov-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

A newly launched coffee variant of Coca-Cola in nine other countries around the world could be rolled out to more, including the UK, soon as the Coca-Cola Company looks to seed it in 50 markets by next year.

Are sober bars growing in popularity?

19-Oct-2018 By Emily Hawkins

Although many licensed venues have upped their game and stock more zero- and low-alcohol drinks, some customers want an alcohol-free environment too.

MA500

How to get your soft drinks offer right

13-Sep-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

The soft drinks market is worth more than £14bn and operators need to ensure they are tapping into this with a strong offer, the MA500 crowd heard in Sheffield today (13 September).

‘You’ve been Tangoed’ – Britvic celebrates 80 years with ad show reel

12-Sep-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

From humble beginnings in an Essex chemist in 1938, Britvic has expanded during the past eight decades to become one of the largest soft drinks suppliers in the world, pumping out 2.3bn litres of drinks a year.

Sugar tax has ‘little impact’ on consumer habits

08-Aug-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

There has been minimal impact on the consumption of sugary soft drinks following the implementation of a levy on the sector in April, new research claims.

326 soft drinks makers hit by sugar tax

16-Jul-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

HMRC has revealed that 326 soft drinks manufacturers have been affected by the ‘sugar tax’ according to research from a national accountancy group.

‘Pubs fear they may have to stop beer on draught’ due to CO2 crisis

28-Jun-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

Experts predict the gas shortage will soon end, although an industry source has warned that some pubs fear they “may have to stop serving beer on tap due to a lack of CO2”.

Lager and soft drinks risk flat sales following CO2 shortage

20-Jun-2018 By Nicholas Robinson

Lager and soft drinks sales could run dry if more food-grade carbon dioxide (CO2) is not produced soon, as stockpiles across Europe run down.

Key soft drinks trends for pubs

12-Feb-2018 By Nikkie Sutton

Technology, appealing to a broad range of ages and personalisation are just three of the trends operators need to ensure their soft drinks offer pulls in the punters.

Low in strength, big on flavour: How craft beer is leading the low and no ABV revolution

04-Jan-2018 By James Beeson

The days of offering customers who are not drinking just a fizzy pop are long gone, and it is the craft beer revolution that has had a hand in the changing of the old guard

Premium soft drinks still popular despite 'sugar levy'

13-Sep-2017 By James Beeson

The looming sugar levy and changes to lifestyle choices are having a profound effect on the soft drinks market but with customers seeking to treat themselves on special occasions, premium options are still proving popular.

Coke launches profit-boosting perfect serve campaign

28-Jun-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Coca-Cola European Partners has invested a significant amount in the launch of its Perfect Serve Training and Reward programme, which is aimed at boosting operators' soft drinks profits.

In association with Britvic

Sweet truth about the soft-drinks industry levy

16-Jun-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Following five years focusing on reformulation, Britvic is ahead of the curve when it comes to the impending soft drinks tax. Nikkie Sutton reports.

Fentimans will triple turnover by 2022, says owner

10-May-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Premium soft drinks company Fentimans has revealed that it will triple turnover as part of a five year plan.

In Association with Schweppes

The first carbonated soft drink

09-May-2017 By MA reports

Schweppes’ 234 years’ of history is potted with just as many twists and turns as an episode of Dynasty, featuring love affairs, treachery and the determination to succeed.

Consumers 'hugely misunderstand' sugar tax

05-May-2017 By Michelle Perrett

The sugar tax has caused confusion among consumers with two thirds of those quizzed thinking it applies to sweets and confectionery rather than soft drinks, new research has revealed.

Turn up the heat on your summertime drinks offer

18-Apr-2017 By Alison Baker

Visiting the pub during summer is a quintessential British trait. And whether your customers are driving or enjoying an alcoholic drink, there’s room for softs and spirits at your site. Alison Baker reports.

Category update

Soft drinks are on the up

23-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The soft drinks category has seen a rise in volume and value according to statistics from CGA Strategy.

Vimto poised to make big push into pubs

22-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Soft-drinks maker and distributor Nichols is set to make a bigger push of its brands, including Vimto and Feel Good, into the pub trade.

Craft soda maker lands big Greene King deal

10-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Fledgling independent craft soda maker Dalston’s has landed a contract to supply 150 Greene King pubs in London, a sign the segment is primed to “blow up”.

Soft Drinks Tax

Government reveals potential cost of controversial sugar tax

06-Dec-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

The Government has revealed the extent of costs pubs could be forced to pass on to their customers created by the upcoming sugar tax.

Designated Driver

Embrace the soft drink opportunities afforded by Christmas

06-Dec-2016 By Guest Editor, CCEP's Paul Grace

Well it’s been quite a year, with Leicester City winning the Premier League, Trump’s election, the Referendum and the biggest upset of all, Danny Baker being the first out of the jungle.

In association with CCEP

How soft drinks started

20-Nov-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Softs have played an important role in society for centuries, but their history and value is too often overlooked. There’s a lot more to soft drinks than first meets the eye.

Sugar tax 'won’t solve UK obesity crisis'

16-Aug-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

A coalition representing thousands of small businesses has called on the Government with a new campaign to ditch former Chancellor George Osborne’s tax on soft drinks.  

Premium soft drinks

Hello Softie… you’re all grown up

19-Jul-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

For many years children were the only connoisseurs of soft drinks, but the category is now more sophisticated than ever. Treat Softie with respect and in return you could be treated to margins as high as those available from alcohol

Soft drinks

J2O’s new limited edition Flamingo Fling

14-Apr-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Britvic-owned adult soft drink brand J2O is introducing a limited edition Flamingo Fling variant of its drinks range after showcasing it at the pub trade Oscars the Publican Awards last month.

Britvic soft drinks review

Premiumisation helps lift soft drink sales in the on-trade

21-Mar-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Soft drinks sales in the licensed and leisure channel grew by 3.2% in volume to 1.9bn litres last year, with trends such as all-day dining, premiumisation and food-led socialising driving the uplift, according to Britvic’s latest soft drinks review.

BUDGET 2016

George Osborne announces sugar levy on soft drinks

16-Mar-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

Chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne has announced the introduction of a new sugar levy on the soft drinks industry in this week’s budget. 

Demand for new style of ‘dry’ soft drink outstripping supply, Fentimans claims

03-Mar-2016 By Ben Winstanley

Premium soft drinks company Fentimans has reported its new sparkling flavour variant, lime and jasmine, has exceeded initial sales targets by 40% and sold out of the first 2,500-case bottling run less than a month after its 8 February launch.

Birch sap water takes on sugary drinks market

25-Jan-2016 By Ben Winstanley

A range of sparkling drinks, dubbed 'superwater', is set to tackle sugary drinks by using birch sap.

Stonegate Pubs' New Supplier of the Year is Cracker Drinks

22-Jan-2016 By Ben Winstanley

Stonegate Pubs’ New Supplier of the Year 2015 has been awarded to Cracker Drinks Co, following the launch of its premium adult fruit juice drinks into the Classic Inns and Slug and Lettuce brands.

Coca-Cola 'second serve' training offers #TryJanuary advice to licensees

11-Jan-2016 By Ben Winstanley

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has launched the second wave of its online training programme, alongside a new ‘make the most of January’ scratch card prize giveaway, to help licensees drive soft-drink sales over the slow January period.