Drinks Buyer 2025

18 @specialityfood PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT RHUBARB WILDJAC RHUBARB RUM English rhubarb from Augernik fruit farm is infused with white rum for the most refreshing summer drink. Now available in a Frugal bottle. wildjac.co.uk DRINKS KITCHEN SPICED RHUBARB An award-winning non- alcoholic aperitif of rhubarb, juniper, ginger and chilli. Fruity with a spicy little bite. drinkskitchen.online TIPTREE ENGLISH RHUBARB GIN LIQUEUR Rhubarb crumble in drink form. Serve this with cream soda for the ultimate pud in a glass. tiptree.com Consumers, ever wary of ultra-processed ingredients, are now frequently being drawn towards flavour profiles plucked from the natural world around them. The wonderfully wild taste of botanicals such as floral infusions, herbs and spices are striking a chord for their uniqueness, for example Rhubarb, which brings with it that hint of nostalgia (rhubarb and custard sweets and Sunday lunch crumbles) is also resonating strongly, alongside grapefruit, which is everywhere right now – its star having risen with tequila as together the duo are essential for a classic Paloma cocktail. Drinks industry insiders report a dramatic increase in sales of anything flavoured with matcha (one of the ‘it’ drinks of the moment) too, as well as bold, exotic, refreshing options, be they passion fruit, mango, yuzu, or even chilli! “Globalisation has exposed consumers across the world to different flavours and ingredients from cultures and countries that they have never had access to before. This allows consumers more room for self-expression. Three quarters of consumers who express a liking for products with new and unusual flavours say that they would like to try new flavours from around the world, while 71% explicitly say they want to try new flavours from specific regions and countries” VICKY PAINTER, CONTENT ANALYST, FMCG GURUS THE ONE TO WATCH: MATCHA Whether mindfully frothed at home with a bamboo whisk or layered in a colourful latte at a café, matcha is everywhere right now. Retailers and hospitality operators say their customers can’t get enough of the so-called superfood, with sales skyrocketing for both on-site consumed, and at-home products. Future Market Insights (FMI) thinks the category will grow by an impressive 10% over the next five years, being worth £6 billion globally by 2030. “To say the market has exploded would be an understatement,” adds Tom Down of Matcha Factory. Quality is everything. The very best kind to stock is ceremonial grade, picked at peak conditions to deliver the richest, sweetest umami flavour. REDCASTLE GIN BLOOD ORANGE & RHUBARB GIN LIQUEUR A beautiful liqueur, made with the Scottish distiller’s own gin, and the heady essence of blood orange and rhubarb. redcastlegin.co.uk FREDDIE’S HARD ICED TEA The best moments aren’t planned, they’re made. Whether it’s a golden- hour gathering in the park, or a late-night laugh, Freddie’s Hard Iced Tea is the alcoholic drink that fits right in. Available in three bold flavours (all low calorie and no fizz), it’s the perfect choice for bars, retailers and venues looking to stock the must-try drink of summer 2025 and has lowMOQs. Visit the website to read about the brand’s drink one, remove one pledge. drinkfreddies.com A QUESTION OF TASTE