What's hitting the shelves? New products: Christmas special

Color-changing Christmas gin​

Luxury Scottish gin brand, Old Curiosity, has released a festive gin that changes color when mixed with tonic.

The gin turns to a vibrant pink thanks to a natural reaction which causes the pH levels of the gin to adjust when tonic is added.

The gin is given a Christmas twist with ginger, cinnamon and cardamom, which are individually distilled and added to the base.

The distillery has released 500 bottles of the limited edition gin, priced at £49.95 per 500ml bottle, sold through its website, at Harrods, and at The Balmoral Hotel’s Bar Prince in Edinburgh.

The distillery released a trio of color-changing gins in October last year: Apothecary Rose, Lavender & Echinacea, and Chamomile & Cornflower.

Summer Christmas gin​

Australian distillery Four Pillars has released its Christmas Gin for the festive season: one which “​smells like gin and tastes like Christmas thanks to aromatics of classic juniper and a hint of cinnamon, backed up with a rich, luscious palate with a hint of sweetness from Muscat and richness from extended barrel ageing.”​

While 2018 is the third year Christmas gin has been released by the Victorian distillery, the label design changes every year.

“​Each year we want our label to represent something we love about Australian Christmas,” ​says Four Pillars. “In 2016 it was warm sunshine and red wine stains, and last year it was the beautiful, bright Giant Australian Christmas Beetle​, that all Aussies know as the unique beetles that create the soundtrack of​ our summer by swarming around lights in towns throughout eastern Australia.​

“​This year, we have collaborated with Melbourne artist Stephen Baker to create a snapshot of what he feels represents Christmas in Australia. The result is a gorgeous, colorful depiction that evokes the feeling of Christmas in a hot Australian summer.”​

The bottle features people enjoying Christmas by the pool and listening to the radio after a big Christmas lunch. The colours represent the afternoon summer heat and the cool relief of the pool.

Mtn Dew Merry Mash-Up​

PepsiCo’s Mtn Dew brand has launched a drink with a cranberry-pomegranate twist, Mtn Dew Merry Mash-Up, offering a “bold seasonal flavor” for a limited period over the holidays in the US.

Meanwhile, Mtn Dew has also extended its Mtn Dew Ice brand, which was launched in January, with its Mtn Dew Ice Cherry as a seasonal limited edition. 

The two lines comes in a 20 fl oz pack for $1.99, or a 12 pack of 12 fl oz cans for $5.99.

Bundaberg Egg Nog​

Diageo’s Bundaberg Rum is partnering with milk and dairy brand Pauls to release Pauls Bundaberg Rum Flavored Egg Nog.

The festive drink is available across Australia at Coles, Woolworths and independent supermarkets for a limited period.

Pauls Bundaberg Rum Flavoured Egg Nog 1L (RRP: $3.30) has been released alongside two other festive dairy products: Pauls Bundaberg Rum Premium Rumball Custard 600g (RRP: $4.90) and Pauls Bundaberg Rum Premium Vanilla Rum Custard 600g (RRP: $4.90).

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha ​

Starbucks’ festive retail products include Peppermint Mocha Iced Espresso Classics and Peppermint Mocha RTD Iced Latte.

Peppermint Mocha Iced Espresso Classics are ‘full of minty, chocolaty joy’, combining Starbucks espresso, milk, peppermint and chocolate in a 40 fl oz multi-serve bottle for $4.99. Meanwhile, Peppermint Mocha RTD Iced Latte is a ‘café-inspired’ drink combining the same flavors in a 14 fl oz bottle for $2.79.

J2O Glitterberry​

Britvic’s J2O Glitterberry has returned for the Christmas period.

The non-alcoholic soft drink – often sold as an alternative to alcohol – is a festive blend of grape, cherry and winter spices with edible gold glitter.

Glitterberry was the top performer in its category last Christmas based on rate of sale.

The drink does not incur a levy under the UK’s sugar tax: with sugar content falling below the threshold of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy.

J2O Glitterberry is available in multipacks of four.

Amora Christmas coffee​

Amora, a subscription-based coffee company which delivers premium coffee across the US, has reintroduced its limited edition Chocolate Cherry coffee flavor.

The Caramia Blend is specially roasted coffee with “deep notes of chocolate and sweet hints of cherry”. ​

“The blend has delightful aromas and fruity aftertaste making this specialty coffee a work of art for all coffee artisans,”​ says the company.  

Starbucks' Juniper latte

A holiday special from Starbucks this year is its Juniper Latte: a drink with "Starbucks' signature espresso and steamed milk mingled beautifully with juniper syrup for a light, pine-like flavor with delightful citrus undertones'. 

The latte is capped with a velvety foam and a dusting of pine-citrus sugar. 

Juniper latte made its debut at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle last year; and has now rolled out across the US. It joins other holiday specials such as peppermint mocha, caramel brulee latte, chestnut praline latte, gingerbread latte and eggnog latte. 

A Costa Christmas​

Costa Coffee is offering festive flavors in its UK stores: with caramelised orange & cream, hazelnut praline & cream and gingerbread & cream. All are available as a latte or hot chocolate.

The Caramelised Orange & Cream favor is made using Costa’s signature blend of hot chocolate combined with zesty orange syrup, topped with cream and crowned with a caramelised orange slice.

Hazelnut Praline & Cream uses chocolate and rich hazelnut syrup, topped with cream and sprinkled with chocolate truffle crumb. Gingerbread & Cream returns from last year, and is decorated with a mini gingerbread.