What's hitting the shelves? Halloween special: beverage NPD for the spooky season
Halloween is a perennial favorite with kids and adults alike: with costume parties looking to wow and amaze guests with imaginative spooky food and drink.
It's also a great season for creativity: this year's NPD in the beverage industry sees glow-in-the-dark bottles, Squid Game themed drinks and more...
BACARDI Halloween bottle
BACARDÍ has revealed a limited-edition mummified Halloween bottle.
The special pack features a glow-in-the-dark design - its spooky glow is pictured right - ‘that’s sure to light up all your terrifying celebrations this fall’.
With the launch comes Bacardi’s suggested cocktail recipes: such as the Blood Moon cocktail – pictured above (Bacardi Limon, blood orange syrup, lime juice, ginger beer, blood orange and amarena cherries).
The bottle is available across the US.
Johnnie Walker's Squid Game bottle
To celebrate the return of Korean hit show Squid Game for season two, Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker has teamed up with Netflix on a limited-edition bottle for Black Label.
Numbers on the bottles range from 001 to 456, referencing the number of players featuring in the TV series.
Brand-owner Diageo has created a limited-edition design that combines both digital and conventional printing technologies to make this collection unique.
The label features a custom fabric pattern varnish to simulate the texture of the show's famous green tracksuit; while the iconic Johnnie Walker Striding Man logo now dons the distinctive tracksuit worn by Squid Game players.
Witches Brew Green Apple Margarita Mix
Jordan’s Skinny Mixes – a US brand of low- and no-sugar, low-calorie enhancers to add to drinks and desserts – has launched The Spooky Collection for Halloween.
In honor of the Sanderson Sisters, Jordan’s Skinny Mixes has released a Sugar Free Hocus Pocus Syrup that features the enchanting flavors of blackberry and dragon fruit. Ghostly Syrup has a tantalizing candy flavor and the Witches Brew Green Apple Margarita Mix is crafted with care and a dash of sorcery to bring a tart take to a classic cocktail.
The Spooky Collection retails at $8.99 per 32 oz bottle.
19 Crimes Wines and Universal Monsters bring back Halloween wine
For the second consecutive year, rebellious wine brand 19 Crimes has partnered with Universal Products & Experiences to release a limited-edition collection of Halloween wines, featuring the classic Universal Monsters.
This year’s lineup brings back the fan-favorite Frankenstein Cabernet Sauvignon, along with new addition, The Bride of Frankenstein Red Blend.
The wines feature glow-in-the-dark labels and an augmented reality (AR) experience that brings Universal’s iconic monsters to life.
"Following the success of our previous Halloween release, we’re excited to partner with Universal Monsters again," said Sarah Bakx, President of BOLD Brands at Treasury Americas. "The Bride of Frankenstein joins Frankenstein in our lineup, and together they embody the same rebellious spirit as 19 Crimes – challenging conventions and breaking the rules. This collaboration continues to push the boundaries of traditional wine culture by bringing these iconic characters to life in a fresh and captivating way."
Frankenstein Cabernet Sauvignon has a smooth, slightly sweet taste with hints of vanilla, red currants, cherries, and chocolate. The Bride of Frankenstein Red Blend is well-balanced, featuring vanilla, chocolate, and a touch of cedar spice.
Pumpkin beer
Seattle brewery Elysian Brewing is in full swing for Halloween.
As the largest purveyor of pumpkin beer in the U.S., and the mastermind behind Seattle’s Great Pumpkin Beer Fest– one of the most prominent pumpkin beer festivals in the country– Elysian has spent over 20 years mastering the art of brewing with pumpkin.
The brewery has perfected more than 100 different pumpkin beers over the years.
Leading the patch is the brewery’s signature pumpkin ale, Night Owl (6.7% ABV), while Great Pumpkin (8.4% ABV), claims a first as the world’s first Imperial Pumpkin Ale (and gold medal winner at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival).
Espolon Tequila: Marigold
Espolòn Tequila has introduced Flor de Oro, a limited-edition Reposado tequila infused with natural extract from the marigold flower, marking the first tequila of its kind to hit the market and the brand's first seasonal release.
Espolòn Tequila releases Flor de Oro in honor of Día de los Muertos, the Mexican celebration held in honor of the deceased.
Inspired by Día de los Muertos, Flor de Oro means "Golden Flower" referencing the vibrant marigold that adorns traditional ofrendas during the Mexican celebration. The premium liquid is aged in new Oak barrels for two months and blends the floral and citrus aromas of marigolds with the fruit-forward, sweet notes of new American Oak. The elegance of the rare natural marigold extract results in an elevated flavor profile for a unique sipping experience perfect for celebratory moments.
Flor de Oro (80 proof / 40% ABV) will be available leading up to Día de los Muertos at retailers nationwide in limited quantities with a MSRP of $43.99 for a 750mL bottle.
