UK-based purchasing company Beacon has drawn on data and insight from its suppliers to compile a list of the top four winter drinks trends for this season.
They include a rise in the number of no- and low-alcohol alternatives, plus a surge in the influence of American flavours. Beacon has drawn on insight provided by companies including Bidvest Foodservice and Accolade Wines.
Beacon drinks expert and deputy head of purchasing Leanne Jarrett said: “Working with such an extensive portfolio of expert suppliers allows us to gain access to invaluable information from industry leading drinks suppliers, which we can then pass on to our customers to ultimately drive revenue and increase profitability.
“The increased sales of premium spirits like Hendricks or Absolut in the retail sector is a trend that very much translates into the hospitality industry. On the other hand, non-alcoholic wines and mocktails have remained popular after a strong year in 2014, which will almost certainly continue into Dry January. We often work with our suppliers in order to identify which products are selling well and to develop our own flavour predictions for the year ahead.”
Winter drinks trends in full:
New drink-drive legislation has made no-alcohol drinks more popular. © West Midlands Police
0% alcohol
Zero- or low-alcohol alternatives should be at the forefront of a bar manager’s mind across the UK, after the Scottish government lowered the drink driving limit last year and in the run-up to Dry January next month.
Alcohol-free products are increasing in popularity, according to Accolade Wines, with Echo Falls recently launching an alcohol-free sparkling drink. Another of Beacon’s suppliers, Bidvest Foodservice, has underpinned this data by reporting that alcohol free wine sales are currently up by 42%. Bar managers should ensure they have at least one non-alcoholic alternative on the drinks menu in order to cater to their customers’ needs, Beacon added.
Premium spirits
Sales of premium spirits see an increase of 45% at Christmas time, highlighting that the consumer is much more willing to commit to a higher spend during the festive season, Beacon said. Insight from Bidvest Foodservice has shown that in 2014, 42% of consumers planned to trade up to more premium food and drink for Christmas – a trend that is expected to continue this year. Premium spirits such as Absolut vodka or Gordon’s gin are appearing more frequently on drinks menus and are becoming increasingly popular in cocktails, replacing the usual house spirits.
Whisky and the American influence
American flavours are now hugely popular in the UK, and Beacon has said that they are very much reflected in alcohol trends this winter. Lockhart Catering Equipment recently reported that the sales of American bourbon whiskies saw a rise in sales of 19% last year, including an increase in sales of Woodford Reserve of 100% in Waitrose. The slightly sweeter and spicier elements in American bourbon allows it to stand up well next to other flavours in classic cocktails such as the Manhattan, but is also popular served neat. To ensure bar staff have the right knowledge when serving whisky, hoteliers should consider training courses to learn about every aspect of the drink and how best to serve it.
Flavour forecast – ginger
Drawing on information from the Technomic Inc. Menu Monitor, Bidvest Foodservice has highlighted ginger as a flavour trend for winter and into early 2016. This is a flavour that is expected to appear in cocktails such as the Moscow Mule – made with vodka, lime and sugar syrup – with ginger beer added for a winter twist. Ginger beer is also becoming increasingly popular either as an alcoholic drink, such as ginger flavoured ales, or non-alcoholic beverages like Crabbies ginger beer, Beacon said.
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