Julia Makhalova-Chi’s Post

WANT TO CREATE AWESOME NEW COCKTAILS? Ever wonder how new drinks are created? Here is your cheat sheet for making awesome cocktails #cocktailmixology https://lnkd.in/g-fU4crV

According to CGA’s BeverageTrak service (NielsenIQ), cocktail sales surged by 6% in the last quarter of 2023, with Tequila emerging as the base spirit for over 1/3 of all sold cocktails. As a long-time devout Tequila drinker, I’m thrilled to see the masses coming to their senses!   Tequila's dominance in the market grew, capturing a 34.1% share of cocktail base sales by value, surpassing vodka. The classic Margarita maintained its reign as the nation's favorite cocktail, while drinks like the Spritz, Negroni, and Espresso Martini gained traction. *Ever tried an Espresso Martini with a Tequila or Mezcal base? (Do it)   Consumer insights will be a crucial function for #spirits brands/suppliers if they want to pivot appropriately and experience continued success in 2024. Cheers! #CocktailTrends #Tequila #Mixology #DataDrivenInsights https://lnkd.in/e4ifEumz

𝙍𝙏𝘿 𝙘𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨, 𝙧𝙪𝙢, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩: 😎 Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, rum and tequila are set to dominate the spirits market, according to new research. A survey of founders of UK independent beverage companies, by rum brand The Duppy Share in collaboration with CGA by NIQ, showed RTD cocktails, in particular, have garnered attention, with 52% of respondents forecasting “fast growth”, the largest across all formats. In terms of spirits, rum and tequila are the only categories that experienced growth in 2023 and are forecast to continue their upward trajectory, according to the companies surveyed, particularly as consumer interest shifts away from gin, which experienced a 14% decrease in sales last year. However, mirroring the trend seen in the US, agave spirits continue to gain momentum. This category saw a 4% increase in sales in 2023. Looking ahead, agave spirits are expected to maintain a steady growth trajectory, with a projected annual growth rate of 2% from 2023 to 2028. This is reflected in rum, showing a 2% growth in 2023, and forecasting a steady growth in the coming years from its larger base volume. FUNKIN COCKTAILS | B Corp™ MOTH Drinks - B Corp™ Liberation Cocktails

The Hard Men of Cocktails - Part 1 WWBD – What would Bond Drink I know, I know, putting together Hard Men and Cocktails seems like an oxymoron. As an aside, for years and years at school I thought oxy-moron was an insult, and when you think about it, it works pretty well as an insult “hey you, you’re an oxy moron!”. If you consider what a cocktail is though, a spirit with some more alcohol and then some more alcohol added to mask the first two and maybe a bit of fruit juice and syrup to cover up all that alcohol, then you realise that a cocktail is basically the fast track to getting drunk without even knowing it. As another aside, cocktails are basically proof that the old wives’ tale of never mixing your drinks is, well, claptrap! Anyway, putting aside all those asides I can get back to the point. There are a few cocktails that have been made famous either by association to those know to be BIG drinkers, and I’ll get to one of those in a few weeks or those who wanted to demonstrate that they could handle their alcohol, because they were, well, hard. I guess James Bond is known for his “Vodka Martini, shaken not stirred” but that wasn’t his first drink and you should never shake a Martini. Let’s talk about the shaking first. A Martini should be spirit forward and cold, to do this you put all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and stir it with a spoon, then strain into the glass. You want it cold but you don’t want it too diluted and you certainly don’t want a bunch of ice shards floating around in your drink. What happens when you shake the drink is that more of the ice cracks and melts; this dilutes the drink and when you pour it, it comes out cloudy when what you want is a crystal clear drink into which you can pop your 2 olives. Now back to Bond. Casino Royale was the first Bond book in 1953 and in the famous casino scene [https://lnkd.in/gw5qh3xG] Bond orders his drink “A Dry Martini… Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large slice of lemon peel”. Now, if you’re counting, that’s 4+ measures of alcohol, a truly stupendous amount to consume in one go and hence me labelling him one of the Hard Men of Cocktails. This is not a classic Martini, and in the next chapter he names the drink a Vesper after the Bond girl of the book and some would say the only girl Bond truly ever loved, Vesper Lynd. Sadly, after the death of Vesper at the end of the book, Bond never orders another and moves on to the more traditional Vodka Martini for which he is better know. Bartenders, I find the term Mixologist to pretentious, have said the Vesper as ordered by Bond is a truly horrendous drink with its 4 spirits plus the Kina Lillet, but if you reduce all the measures then you get something a bit saner. Kina Lillet is now known as Lillet Blanc should you go shopping for it. Here’s to the Hard Men, keep inventing cocktails! Review -> https://lnkd.in/eB3V3Rrd

The non-alcoholic category might be confusing & misleading…read the Food & Beverage Insider article, get to know how important low/no alcoholic cocktails with lower calories & good taste are for both your health & business! Let’s upgrade your menu/selection and quality of life with SMASHD🍹

Transitioning from winter to spring doesn't mean giving up whisky cocktails. Discover how to create satisfyingly complex yet low-ABV drinks with tips from industry experts. Read on: https://lnkd.in/ewXb2yuk #whiskyadvocate #whiskycocktails #lowabvwhiskycocktails

From classic margs and palomas to trendy negroni sbagliatos, there’s a canned version of just about every cocktail at this point… and it’s not just consumers that love them. RTD cocktails have serious benefits for bars, restaurants, festivals, and more. Learn what’s driving RTD cocktail popularity and what manufacturers can do to appeal to the younger crowds driving demand for RTDs. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gVWAy8MF

Every so often I post on something really fun. My chosen cocktail for 2023 was the "Fairy Godmother". 🍹 So, as we raise a toast to new beginnings, I thought it would be interesting to look at the most popular cocktails of 2024. According to the Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, here's what global consumers are sipping on: #1. Gin & Tonic: An enduring classic that traces its roots back to 19th century India. Today's G&T is served with a generous helping of ice and remains an unparalleled favorite not just across the Commonwealth but also in Europe, Japan and the Netherlands. #2. Another classic summer favorite, the Mojito comes in a close second (27%) by those surveyed. The white rum based cocktail originated in Cuba, though there is much debate on who (or which group) invented it first. Variations include using tequila instead of rum, adding muddled fruit, and switching out lime for lemon juice. #3 and #4. The Margarita and Bloody Mary tie for fourth place. #5. The popular Whiskey and Coke rounds out the top five. So as we move forward into this exciting year full of potential successes and milestones, whether you're celebrating or simply unwinding, why not do so with one of these top-ranking cocktails? 🥂 #CocktailTrends #GinAndTonic #BacardiReport #2024Trends

The sheer growth of the no and low alcohol market has made the number of options overwhelming for consumers seeking out the best products to try. While brands have jumped into the no and low alcohol category recently, it's not just the specific drink, such as cocktails or alcohol free wine. There are other elements to consider when it comes to the growth of the category, including the ingredients, such as the base spirit and modifiers. This article has a great breakdown of some of the top products in the low and no alcohol market, according to professional bartenders. What are some of the best products you've seen in the category? #lowandnoalcohol #nonalcoholic #wineandspirits #wineindustry #spiritsindustry #beverageindustry #beveragetrends #beverageinnovation #winebusiness #spiritsbusiness

Hey there, cocktail lovers! Love great-tasting drinks without the fuss? You're in the right place. Why RTD Cocktails? Tired of playing bartender at parties? Want a craft cocktail without the hefty price or mixology skills? That’s where RTD cocktails shine. Convenience Meets Quality Pre-mixed and ready to enjoy, RTD cocktails are perfect for any occasion. Whether you're by the pool, hosting a barbecue, or unwinding after a long day, they’re your go-to. Consistency is Key Enjoy the same great taste every time. No more guessing measurements or mixing mishaps. Each sip delivers the right balance of flavours. What Sets Us Apart? - Premium Ingredients: Real fruit juices, natural flavours, and high-quality spirits. - Innovative Flavours:Unique blends to excite your taste buds. - Eco-Friendly Packaging: Recyclable and sustainable, good for the environment and your palate. Perfect for Any Occasion - At-Home Happy Hour: Enjoy with friends, skip the crowded bars. - Picnics and Adventures: Lightweight and easy to transport. - Events and Parties: Stress-free serving, just chill, open, and serve. Join the RTD Revolution 🍹 Explore our range of delicious cocktails in our online store. Sign up for our newsletter for updates, exclusive offers, and cocktail recipes. Life’s too short for bad drinks. Enjoy a premium cocktail anytime, anywhere. Cheers to convenience, great taste, and good times!