Splashes of summer - Inapub Spring Magazine 2024

Splashes of Summer

by ARCHIE MILLS

“Beyond just drinks, summer signifies shared experiences and moments to mix, where being out together isn’t solely about the drink but the connection and memories created in vibrant social gathering,” says James Stimson, senior brand manager for Franklin & Sons.

“This refreshing spritz idea is a lighter version of everyone’s favourite Pina Colada. Rich with moreish flavours of coconut and pineapple, it will leave you smiling – even if you’re caught in the rain.”

Bold new flavours

With demand for bold and innovative flavours on the rise according to Nielsen and CGA market data, this summer may be the right time to think about adding new drinks to your range.

Ben Griffiths, Britvic’s commercial director in Great Britain, says: “Consumer appetites for bold new flavours have demonstrated the importance of continuing to evolve the fruit-flavoured carbonates category. We have seen the demand for mango-flavoured drinks rise for some time, and Tango Mango will satisfy this consumer demand as well as operator need – standing out in chillers and increasing sales and footfall by aiming to attract a broad audience including Gen Z and families.”

Show off your spirits

Emily Richards, owner of Caru Spirits, agrees that venturing from the norm can capture customers’ imagination. Caru is a brandy base liqueur, distilled from English Chardonnay, blended with oranges, cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger, and sweetened with local honey. “Summer is as important to us as the Christmas season, there are just as many people out at bars, events and festivals – they are just drinking different things,” says Emily.

“Summer gives us the opportunity to show the versatility of our spirit – brandy is not just for Christmas and can be used as a base in countless summer cocktails and spritzes that hold their own next to some of the other summer classics and current trends. For example, our Caru Ruby Royale is a fruitier take on the classic Kir Royale. Our Pear Cider Spritz pairs deliciously with light pastas and fish to give a luxurious finesse to another classic summer drink – whilst feeding the emerging appetite for new spritz combinations.” “The summer months bring the opportunity for tailored food and drinks menus as well, giving the consumer a holistic experience. We have recently teamed up with Pianorama Events to deliver a menu paired entirely with Caru cocktails at the Granary restaurant in Bristol.”

Juice up with summer berries

Dan Berger, owner and operator at Blinker in Manchester, started his career in Melbourne and went on to work in some of London’s best hotels and bars before moving back to his hometown to launch his own concept, Blinker.

Blinker opened in May 2022 and has quickly gone on to be named No.6 in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bar list 2024. Blinker is a classic cocktail bar, but the drinks champion British seasonality and change on the first of every month. There is always a selection of four seasonal flavours that make up the cocktail menu, with two cocktails for each seasonal flavour offered. There is also a dedicated Martini and Old Fashioned section to the menu for those wanting a slightly more serious cocktail.

“The great thing about summer drinking is the fruit available, especially berries that lend themselves well to cocktails,” says Dan, “as long as you know how to best extract the flavour. Strawberries work exceptionally well with press juicing as you get a great yield. You can then weigh the juice, add the same weight in caster sugar and whisk cold so you get fresh strawberry flavour, which will shine in the finished product. Blackberries and raspberries work better in maceration with equal sugar to extract the juice and then strain. These syrups, that you can make easily in any pub or bar, will go great in a spritz style drink with gin and prosecco.”

With summer just round the corner, pubs should be reviewing stocking policies and aiming to find room for versatility. By stocking innovative and bold flavours, you can show off a point of difference to win over the hearts and minds of the more adventurous summer drinker.