What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Latin Gin
Latin Gin, a new ultra-premium gin, debuts in the US this month.
The spirit offers four expressions: Latin Spice, Latin Lover, Latin Secco and Latin Beach. Each is inspired by elements of the Latin lifestyle and all are available for purchase initially throughout Florida through Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Latin Gin is also available in Spain and the islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca and for shipping to select US cities through online ordering.
Created by Co-Founder Ivania Sher, Latin Gin was conceived of as an ideal choice for modern-day gin drinkers. Sher grew up in El Salvador amongst a family of international diplomats; she witnessed her parents entertain guests from around the world with beautiful, inventive cocktails. With this catalyst, she decided to create a premium gin from a female and worldly perspective.
The result is ‘a smooth, vibrant spirit, which may be consumed neat, on the rocks, or crafted into creative beverages’, and which is distilled in the foothills of the Italian Alps.
Non-alcoholic Highland Malt
Non-alcoholic drinks company Lyre’s has launched Highland Malt, Australia’s first non-alcoholic whisky-style beverage.
Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Highland Malt has been ‘impossibly crafted to capture the essence of a blended malt whisky, one of the world’s most revered spirits, with flavors that are distinct and contemporary’.
Showcasing an inviting light honey hue, Highland Malt leads with a soft earthiness and bouquet, featuring light grain cereal, stone fruit and almond to round out every sip. The subtle additions of sea spray and lightly charred oak further add to the complexity. A lovely and rewarding depth in flavor can be found with a natural influence of seasoned oak, nutty grain, and warm spices. In addition, the welcoming smoke contributes lift to the soft palate.
The Highland Malt has been created by Lyre’s flavor architect, David Murphy. “While Lyre’s spirits are true to taste, they have their own distinction as a premium non-alcoholic beverage, and therefore understanding the popularity of whisky we wanted to deliver the same delicious taste but with a difference.
"Whether served neat or in mixers, whisky is a firm favorite for many around the world and understanding this, we’ve worked tirelessly to study the aromas and tastes that whisky fans most enjoy, to deliver the Highland Malt.
“People who enjoy the taste of a great whisky can experience our non-alcoholic version in occasions where it would otherwise be just featuring the alcoholic equivalents - it extends the occasion to more people more often.”
The 700mL bottle will be available from mid-May 2022 at Dan Murphy’s, liquor retailers and via Lyre’s online.
KeVita herbal spritzer
KeVita has launched a new herbal spritzer line with three new sparkling probiotic drinks in the US.
Available at Whole Foods stores nationwide, the Herbal Spritzer line features lightly fermented beverages with live probiotics and a subtle touch of fruit and herbal extracts: offering a refreshing drink for summer, especially for people looking for non-alcoholic options.
The drinks are:
- Harmony Peach Elderflower: Elderflower and peach harmonize with Vitamin C into a fragrant and refreshing taste (15.2oz/bottle, $3.29 SRP)
- Refresh Orange Sage: Sunshine infused orange and earthy sage with Vitamin C refresh and enliven the taste buds (15.2oz/bottle, $3.29 SRP)
- Serene Chamomile Lavender: Our serene blend of chamomile and lavender with magnesium tastes delightfully comforting (15.2oz/bottle, $3.29 SRP)
Simply Spiked Lemonade
Simply Spiked Lemonade, a collaboration from Molson Coors and Coca-Cola, hits shelves in the US next month.
The drink comes in four flavors crafted with real fruit juice for a ‘bright, bold and refreshing taste’, coming in at 5% ABV:
- Signature Lemonade: Bright a refreshing, with a perfect balance of sweet lemonade and fresh, lemony tartness
- Strawberry Lemonade: Ripe, jammy strawberry notes combined with an elevated, tart lemonade finish
- Blueberry Lemonade: Unique and refreshing, with ripe blueberry notes blended with smooth lemonade flavor
- Watermelon Lemonade: Watermelon sweetness complimented by a bright, lemon juice balance
Kingfisher beer rebrands in the UK
KBE Drinks, a premium world beer and cider company, is announcing a major new rebrand and repositioning for its biggest brand – Kingfisher – in the UK.
The ‘bold new look’ offers a more premium, modern feel to the brand and will support its continued drive into wider sales channels. The rebrand will include new look labels and outer packaging, as well as new glassware, a new font and POS materials for the on trade.
As India’s number one beer, Kingfisher has found huge success in the Indian restaurant channel due to its quality and authentic Indian heritage. However, KBE Drinks says the trend for premium world beers has shot up in recent years, and the company has been seeding the brand outside this occasion.
It is now served in pubs and bars across the country, is the official beer of Premier League Southampton FC, has been sold at festivals including Bestival, Isle of Wight and Taste of London and enjoys huge success in the off-trade, within both the grocery and convenience channels, where its sales have grown by 65% since 2019 (total beer sales have grown just 15% in this period).
Kingfisher taps into all the relevant consumer trends impacting on world beer, including health (it’s suitable for vegans and vegetarians), premiumisation, authenticity and experience. It’s a clean, crisp and refreshing lager that uses Saaz hops to give the beer its light bitterness and earthy herbal notes.
Shaun Goode, Chief Operating Officer at KBE Drinks, comments, “We are immensely proud of Kingfisher’s Indian heritage, and we’ve reflected this in our new colorful and vibrant brand creative.
"Kingfisher is a brand that so many consumers are already aware of and enjoy, so we’re confident they will love the rebrand and be delighted to increasingly find it stocked in their local pub, supermarket or convenience store, as well as their favorite Indian restaurant.
"This new look and feel will really maximise its appeal to those consumers who are looking for an authentic, premium world lager with a genuine backstory.
"Finally, we’re really excited to be bringing the whole rebrand to life through our ‘Look up and see the beauty’ marketing campaign, which will encourage consumers to think about their well-being, take a digital detox and appreciate the world around them by enjoying real-life experiences that improve mental and physical health, which should really resonate with our target audience.”
Raspberry Edition gin
Leicestershire distillery, Burleighs Gin, has ventured into the flavored gin category for the first time, with the launch of its Raspberry Edition Gin.
Available in time for the spring and summer season in the UK, the gin is produced by steeping Burleighs’ signature gin recipe in raspberries and peaches. The blush-colored drink is a ‘fresh and fruity yet delicate gin, which is delicious on its own with a tonic, or as a base for cocktails.’
Created by head distiller Charlie Hendon on her copper-pot still Messy Bessy, the latest launch is available now through the distillery’s website for £32.50 for 70cl (37.5% ABV), offering gin fans on-trend flavors and a vibrant color.
For the perfect serve Burleighs recommends accompanying 50ml of Raspberry Edition Gin with premium tonic, plenty of ice, fresh or frozen raspberries and a spring of mint.
Water in cans
UK family business Wenlock Spring is launching its natural source water in aluminum cans.
Both still and sparkling water, which is drawn from a spring beneath Shropshire’s Wenlock Edge, are available in the new canned format.
The company says the launch is part of its commitment to sustainable practices that help protect the environment and reduce its carbon footprint.
Matthew Orme, Director of Wenlock Spring, reported seeing a rise in customer demand for cans, as an increasing number of venues and events want to remove plastic from their shelves. “The benefit of choosing cans over plastic, is the power of recycling them,” he said. “They can be recycled and remade into new cans in just 60 days – it’s a true closed loop. Recycling aluminum to make new cans uses 95% less energy than using raw materials, making it a great choice.”
In the last 6 years, over half of the glass used to make Wenlock’s glass bottles was recycled. In 2018, the company launched a new plastic PET bottle made from over 50% recycled plastic, which uses 79% less energy to produce than new plastic. All bottles, cans, caps, labels and case wrap are all 100% recyclable.
Wenlock Spring’s still and sparkling 330ml aluminum cans are available in cases of 24 and pallets of 120.
