Ten intriguing trends set to shake up alcohol in 2025
Savory serves, protein cocktails and ‘brothtails’… what are some of the coolest and craziest trends emerging in beverage alcohol?
Spirits
Sake simplified: Versatile time-based concept targeting new generation of Asia drinkers
An innovative time-based categorisation of sake combined with novel food pairings is finding its way to younger adults while preserving its authentic appeal for older consumers.
“Frozen sleep”: Tomin Nama Sake re-ignites demand for traditional Japanese alcohol
A revolutionary process that preserves unpasteurised sake for year-round consumption could revitalise an industry facing competitive pressures from both domestic and international alternatives.
How to build a beverage brand: Campari America on creating global icons
Campari America Managing Director Melanie Batchelor's vision has been instrumental in building the strategy for some of the world's most iconic spirits brands, including SKYY Vodka, Campari, Aperol, Grand Marnier and Espolon Tequila. What are her top...
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Former Johnnie Walker boss heads up new Diageo Luxury Group
Diageo has announced the launch of its new global luxury division, a business unit that will oversee its portfolio of premium brands.
Retail’s the right way for alcohol-free: AF drives growth with Sprouts, Target, Walmart listings
New Zealand alcohol-free brand AF has set its sight on tripling sales over the next twelve months, thanks to US listings in Target and Walmart. That visibility in retail is key for growing the category, the brand’s founder tells us.
‘Quality over quantity’: Pernod Ricard prioritises ultra-prestige portfolio to satisfy growing appetite for premium and niche spirits
Alcohol major Pernod Ricard is focusing on increasing awareness and availability of its prestige brands in burgeoning markets and channels, while expanding its premium craft spirits portfolio to meet growing interest for niche products.
Breaking barriers: The Singleton focuses on flavours, welcomes localisation to capture booming Asian markets
Diageo-owned The Singleton has identified flavours as a key focus area to further drive growth in Asia, where the complexity of Scotch whiskey and its versatility in localisation are increasingly recognised.
Europe’s drinking preferences: Wine, beer or spirits?
Preferences for wine, beer or spirits vary across Europe. Which countries prefer wine, which are beer drinkers, and where do spirits top preferences?
How Diageo is cutting Scope 3 emissions through packaging
Diageo is aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions through changes and reductions in packaging.
Diageo makes another big play in non-alc spirits with acquisition of Ritual Zero Proof
Diageo North America has acquired Ritual Zero Proof Non-Alcoholic Spirits: the top non-alcoholic spirit brand in the US.
Edrington to sell The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt to William Grant & Sons
Edrington will sell its well-known Scotch whisky The Famous Grouse to William Grant & Sons.
Coca-Cola & Bacardi to launch RTD cocktail as innovation heats up in the space
With Coca-Cola and Bacardi’s RTD cocktail announced for a 2025 launch, we take a look at some of the other big name partnerships between soft drink giants and beverage alcohol heavyweights in this space.
Rising wellness trends: Zero-proof is ‘the next wave of beverages,’ foods for anxiety relief see ‘varied results’
Zero-proof beverages are gaining market traction as health-conscious consumers moderate their alcohol consumption while many shoppers also seek out functional foods to combat stress and anxiety, market research company Circana shared in a recent webinar...
Johnnie Walker debuts world’s lightest whisky bottle
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ultra bottle comes in at just 180g, rethinking all aspects of how the bottle is designed, made and transported. Could it inspire change across the industry?
What is zebra striping?
More than a quarter of drinkers embrace 'zebra striping', according to recent research. How can brands engage with this trend?
Alcohol labeling: Are consumers getting enough information about what they drink in the UK?
Ingredient lists, calorie counts, alcohol strength and more – are UK consumers getting all the information they want from their alcohol labels?
Fake alcohol: Can alcohol brands ever win the battle against counterfeit goods?
How big a problem is counterfeit alcohol - and what can be done to fight the problem?
Know your drink: Pernod Ricard taps ASEAN desire for increased information to launch digital label
Alcohol giant Pernod Ricard has launched a new digital label initiative in Singapore, hoping to tap on South East Asian consumer demands for increased information and shift towards better drinking habits.
Top trends in beverage alcohol
What are the top trends driving the global beverage alcohol market forward - and how can we expect the industry to evolve?
New alcohol labelling requirements for Australia and New Zealand move a step closer, industry generally supportive
Moves to introduce new alcoholic labelling standards in Australia and New Zealand, including listing carbohydrate, sugar, and energy values on pack, have moved a step closer.
How to spot fake alcohol
Fake alcohol refers to drinks produced illegally and made to look like well-known brands – but these products can be lethal. How can people identify what's genuine and what's counterfeit?
Pernod Ricard acquires minority stake in Lewis Hamilton’s non-alcoholic agave spirit
Pernod Ricard has acquired a minority stake in Almave: the non-alcoholic blue agave-based spirit brand co-founded by Formula One star Lewis Hamilton.
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Scotch whisky secures protected status in Brazil
Scotch whisky has secured Geographical Indication (GI) in Brazil, protection that could be worth £25m to the industry over the next five years.
The rise of RTD alcohol - and the key trends to watch moving forward
Ready-to-drink alcohol keeps growing, and ready-to-serve is also making its mark. But is this set to peak or is there still runway for growth - and how big a part does it really play in the larger alcohol category? Industry leaders tell us how they see...
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AB InBev sells spirits business Atom Group back to founder
AB InBev has sold spirits company Atom Group back to founder and chief executive Justin Petszaft, six years after acquiring the business.
Spirits packaging innovation: Standout designs of 2024
Sleek, sophisticated and stylish: We take a look at some of the standout spirits packaging launches of the year so far.
Flavors drive canned cocktail purchases
What shapes consumers’ decisions when it comes to buying canned cocktails? Flavor is by far the biggest factor - but what else drives purchases?
Diageo’s Latin America hangover hits FY24 results
Latin American consumers are trading down away from premium spirits: a market shift that continues to hit Diageo’s sales in the region.
Reach for the stars: Starward launches colourful packaging range to put ‘modern’ Australian whiskey on the map
Australian spirits distillery Starward has launched a range of whiskies with brightly-coloured packaging to distinguish its ‘modern’ products from traditional scotch and carve out a place for itself in the liquor market.
Diageo launches generative AI bottle for Johnnie Walker
Diageo is turning to generative AI to give consumers the chance to create personalized bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue Label: highlighting that today’s consumers demand truly unique experiences.
Tequila cocktail trends
It’s not just about margaritas. National Tequila Day (July 24) puts the spotlight on the huge variety of cocktails now embracing the trending spirit.
Is it possible to create effective age restrictions for alcohol marketing online?
The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) has teamed up with Google, Meta, Pinterest, Snap, TikTok and X to strengthen standards for advertising alcohol responsibly online.
Blowing up baijiu: Campari believes China’s trademark liquor must go down the cocktail route to hit international success
Campari China has embarked on a collaborative mission with baijiu giant Wuliangye to make the traditional liquor an international beverage by creating the ‘wugroni’ cocktail, hoping to emulate tequila’s success with the margarita and Tequila Sunrise.
Diageo sells Pampero rum and flavored liqueur Safari
In two separate transactions, Diageo has agreed to sell Venezuelan rum brand Pampero and fruit flavored liqueur brand Safari.
Pernod Ricard sells Jacob’s Creek and other wine brands
Pernod Ricard is selling its international strategic wine brands to the owner of Accolade wines: saying the transaction will allow it to focus on its premium spirits and champagne business.
Seven summer beverage trends for 2024
What's hot this summer? We take a look at the top beverage trends.
Luxury gin: Can brands such as Emma Watson's Renais take on tequila?
Premium gin Renais – founded by Emma Watson and her brother Alex Watson – is expanding to the US. Will the brand’s luxury positioning help it take on trending categories such as tequila and mezcal?
Classic with a twist: Scandi-inspired traditional liquors by Nordic Gin House finding favour in Asia
Nordic Gin House believes that timeless favourites will continue to resonate with consumers in Asia as its regional expansion plans benefit from the premiumisation trend.
Spicy and swicy heat up beverage flavor innovation
Jalapeno, pepperoncini, chili and more: spicy and 'swicy' flavors are trending across the beverage universe in 2024.
Young, adventurous, and health-conscious: Goa-based Ochre Spirits rides the global cocktail wave with low-calorie gins and vodkas
India's Ochre Spirits is tapping into the global cocktail trend with its premium, lower calorie spirits that promise a superior drinking experience.
ASA gives Hangcure a headache over implied disease claims
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has warned UK supplement brand Hangcure Ltd that it must not claim that its product can prevent, treat or cure disease through product name or advertising.
The top five flavor trends for summer 2024
Ready for a spicy tamarind mangorita? Or excited about a parmesan espresso martini? Diageo highlights the top flavor trends it’s watching this summer.
Lionel Messi launches next-generation hydration drink
Global soccer icon Lionel Messi is the latest to launch a drink in the booming functional hydration category, with Más+ by Messi debuting next week.
Introducing 'mezquila': Tequila & mezcal blend pushes forward agave innovation
Santo Mezquila – a first-of-its-kind tequila and mezcal blend – is launching across the US, Canada and Japan. Founders Sammy Hagar (a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer) and Guy Fieri (an internationally renowned chef) believe the blend ties in perfectly with...
Diageo debuts paper-based bottle for Baileys
Diageo has launched a trial for a paper-based bottle for Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur; while a Johnnie Walker paper-based bottle is also in development.
Can apps help people reduce their alcohol intake?
Many phone apps offer to help people cut down on drinking – but do they actually work?