Beverages

Last week saw the re-launch of WEST brewery, bar and restaurant at Glasgow Green. German brewery owner Petra Wetzel and Curry King Charan Gill, have rescued the brewery from the brink of administration.

After 18 months of planning and careful refining with the best ingredients, the wait is finally over as Ministry of Sound Vodka goes into stores this week. The stylish bottles with distinctive yellow and black chevrons have been designed to be consumed when partying with others, and will be available to buy from 240 Sainsbury’s stores throughout the UK.

Boost Juice Bars have exceeded expectations after bursting into the UK a year ago, opening 8 bars since their launch in April 2007. The Australian retail phenomenon is enjoying huge success in the UK market and is taking the country by storm, with the bar in Manchester’s Trafford Centre proving to be their most popular juice bar in the world!

Those with a taste for a high-class product and an indulgent experience will be thrilled to hear about this month’s launch of the world’s rarest and most premium coffee - at £50 per cup.

Costa Coffee, the UK’s largest and fastest growing coffee shop, plans to convert its entire coffee supply to sustainably grown beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by 2010.

Beer is back! Whilst we’ve been cooly sipping cocktails, and learning to tell the difference between a shiraz and a merlot, beer has taken a backseat, with its reputation tarnished by drunken loutish behaviour. But now there’s a new breed of beer! Not only does it taste great, but it’s ethical, biodynamic and set to make waves in the drinks industry.

This Easter, why not treat you and your friends to a grown up treat? Amarula Cream, the liqueur from South Africa, has developed a selection of delicious chocolate cocktails and dessert recipes, sure to provide utmost indulgence. Full of delicious flavours, each recipe provides the perfect accompaniment to your Easter celebration.

Like Terry Wogan, a pair of Nylons and the Bic pen, 2008 marks the 70th Birthday of the UK’s favourite, and first, instant coffee brand, NESCAFÉ. The colourful history of the famous “richer, smoother, tasting cup” starts in 1930 when Food & Beverage Company, Nestlé, was challenged by the Brazilian government to create a coffee product that had all the rich flavour and aroma of ground fresh coffee, but that could be made by simply adding hot water.

A new range of tea juice drinks from M&S is set to tantalise your taste buds. These drinks are made with a delicious mix of fruit juices and exotic flowers and each one contains a hint of speciality tea selected to complement the fruit flavours.

At around 28,000 pints this surely has to qualify as the world’s largest round. But for the beer buffs at Cask Marque this wasn’t about drinking but rather quality checking traditional, hand pulled ale in thousands of pubs and bars throughout the country to see who is best.

Two of the capital’s healthy living experts have teamed up to offer a full life detox programme to the people of Edinburgh, launching on Monday 28th January.

New Year means new resolutions, and we could all use a little help to get started in the right way. Thanks to Cafédirect’s decaffeinated coffees and tea you can ease into your new regime for a healthy start to the year.

Having completed its first year trading, Snow Leopard Vodka has announced its first conservation projects. Through the Snow Leopard Trust UK and with immediate effect, Snow Leopard Vodka will be funding two conservation projects run by the International Snow Leopard Trust, head quartered in Seattle, USA.

Boost your day with some hot stuff! Boost Juice Bars, the Australian juice and smoothie phenomenon is introducing Hotties to the UK this winter; a delicious range of low fat, nutritious hot drinks to warm you up from head to toe!

Looking for something new and innovative to give your lover of all things chocolate this Valentines Day? Then Giles & Posner’s new Chocolate Cocktail Drinks Maker is this year’s must have accessory and perfect romantic gift for you. Giles & Posner have used their expertise in chocolate to create the UK’s first Chocolate Cocktail Drinks Maker, allowing you to discover your own special drinks and satisfy the inner chocoholic in you.

This Christmas, indulge yourself with the most stylish cocktail of the festive season – the Disaronno Amaretto Style Star Cocktail, created exclusively by top international cocktail innovator and mixologist, Douglas Ankrah - a man well versed in the art of delicious drinks.

Research released today by Coca-Cola Great Britain reveals that nearly one third of women (27%) in Britain claim that getting a hangover, not gaining extra pounds, is the worst thing about drinking too much at Christmas time.

Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Bar & Café, OXO Tower Bar and Prism Bar have created a collection of ‘Winter Warmer’ cocktails for customers to enjoy throughout the icy months, until spring 2008.

Pixley Berries, the Herefordshire-based cordial producer and fruit farmer, which launched a range of three blackcurrant-based cordials in May, has welcomed the onset of winter with two hot Pixley Cordials.

Harrods’ newest restaurant will delight coffee enthusiasts everywhere. Andronicas World of Coffee has selected some of the finest and rarest coffee beans on the planet and will custom roast and grind the beans to the customer’s specification.

The newly developed Coutts cocktail launched at the Matthew Williamson event recently, to great acclaim. Created by Salvator Calabrese, one of the UK’s most celebrated bar tenders; the cocktail recipe was inspired by a unique part of Coutts’ history – the Chinese wallpaper in the boardroom.

Recent reports have announced the introduction of nylon tea bags in supermarkets across the country. Sainsbury’s now sells St James fruit teas which use the nylon teabag and Asda uses them for its Extra Special range. Despite their high price, Asda has reported that they have proven popular with consumers.

Akvinta super premium vodka has been awarded exceptional status and a gold medal by the Beverage Tasting Institute of Chicago. Akvinta received 90 points out of a possible maximum of 100 which the Institute considers puts the Croatian vodka in the category of exceptional spirits.

For real ale lovers, the quest for a perfect pint just got a whole lot easier. A series of 26 regional guides incorporating more than 4,000 different pubs have been published this week by real ale quality assessor Cask Marque.

Harvey Nichols has announced the launch of a limited edition designer bottle for Evian mineral water by haute couturier Christian Lacroix, to be sold exclusively in Harvey Nichols Foodmarkets nationwide. The result of collaboration between two world-renowned French forces, this elegant and streamlined 750ml ‘Ready-to-Wear’ bottle, priced at £3.80 /€5, is sure to endow any party table with a distinctive touch of chic and sophistication.

The creamy blend of Bounty Drink has been relaunched, with a new enhanced recipe. With the unmistakable taste of Bounty chocolate, why not indulge in a taste of paradise. Now available in a larger easy grab bottle with new graphics, the exotic recipe has been fused with 6% real coconut, creating a refreshing yet creamy chocolatey drink.

Grey Goose, “The World’s Best Tasting Vodka” has announced the launch of the fabulous Limited Edition Emporio Armani bottle with proceeds from each bottle going to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

New Zealand’s award winning vodka, 42 BELOW is hitting the UK with round 5 of its internationally acclaimed crash course in Vodkaology with Vodka U at Harvey Nichols PRISM restaurant this November 2007. Vodka U is held across the world on snow covered slopes at Whistler, world class restaurants in NY and sun kissed beaches in Fiji. Over 2,000 graduates have gone through the ranks to date.

Throwing a party this festive season? Why not give your cocktails the stylish edge with Hanbury Cocktail Edge Sugars and Salts. These party treats are a seriously fun addition to a range of celebrations, from pre-dinner drinks to the most sophisticated of New Year’s Eve parties.

Cointreau is delighted to announce that, effective immediately, Dita Von Teese will be its worldwide brand ambassador. A press conference will shortly be held with the celebrity to unveil the details and scope of this partnership, initially signed for two years. The rapprochement between Cointreau and Dita Von Teese was seen as entirely natural by both parties.

Ever fancied yourself as a bit of a cocktail inventor, or are you just a lover of all things chocolate? Then Giles & Posner’s new Chocolate Cocktail Drinks Maker is this year’s must have accessory for you.

Two of Wales’ best known water producers are celebrating success in an international water tasting session. Talsarn based, Llanllyr Water Company, and fellow Ceredigion producer, Ty Nant Spring Water Ltd from Bethania were among 26 waters from across the world which were put to a blind test by drinks magazine, Imbibe.

Launched officially at the Chiswick House festival earlier this month, Naked Juice is a new smoothie brand that combines the best quality, bare naked fruit with the punch of powerful vitamins and nutrients to offer a fun, tasty drink with a boost.

Cafédirect is delighted to unveil the great new look and taste of its instant coffee. Cafédirect 5065 is now called Classic Blend. For a cup that’s easy to make and full of premium coffee bean flavour, Cafédirect has upped the quality of its instant coffee. A delicious combination of Arabica and Robusta beans sourced from Cafédirect grower partners around the world, Classic Blend has a smooth, richly rounded taste with great body.

Whether you long for a dram, wish to savour a toddy, or tempt your taste buds with a sip of nectar, there is only one beverage which you can be referring to – whisky. The great history of whisky in Scotland dates back over thousands of years, and through the generations a language which is specific to the whisky industry, has been created.

Glam rock has taken centre stage at Nespresso. The worldwide pioneer and market leader in premium-portioned coffee today introduced its Nespresso Essenza Autumn 2007 Collection in four electrifying hues: the stylish Twilight Blue and opulent Glam Red automatic models, and the sparkly Stardust Gold and shimmering Cyber Blue manual machines.

Inspired by Johannes Vermeer’s “The Girl with a Red Hat”, late night venue Kitts, situated in London’s Sloane Square, has created an indulgent new cocktail combining espresso, raspberry puree and Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur.

With the nation’s increasing obsession about getting in shape and looking great, there’s now no reason why consumers can’t have a soft drink to match their lifestyle. The worlds most popular iced tea, Lipton Ice Tea, has 35% less sugar than most regular soft drinks and absolutely no artificial colours, flavourings and sweeteners.

Savanna Cider, the leading cider brand from South Africa, has launched a unique Chill Pack in anticipation of a hotter summer, which is on promotion at participating Tesco stores.

With more than $3.2 billion in sales last year, it is clear that Americans are getting a boost from energy drinks. However, the trend has been taken a step further in the nightclub set. According to a recent Mintel report, the pairing of energy drinks with alcoholic beverages has become an emerging business avenue for companies.

Whisky with a ‘twist’ usually refers to a dram with a hint of lemon peel. An odd addition you might think, but there are many variations and uses for the ‘water of life’.

Crussh Juice Bars have unveiled their latest creation - a tantalising new smoothie called the Super Natural. This mystical drink is crammed chock a block full of the world’s leading super fruits, renowned for their extremely high vitamin and mineral content and antioxidant properties.

In homage to the skilled craftsmen who create Monkey Shoulder triple malt Scotch whisky, Jeffery-West, the award-winning gentleman’s shoemaker, has produced a limited edition leather belt incorporating a ‘3 monkeys’ buckle.

A new exotic wine spritzer infused with pomegranate juice has now been launched, just in time for summer. Fashionable and current Sabai Pomegranate blends everyone’s favourite superfruit with premium quality Thai wine in a super-stylish bottle. It’s seriously refreshing and has already been picked up by discerning drinkers at London Fashion Week this month where it was previewed at the hottest parties.

In the eternal quest to find what is best for skin, women everywhere exhaust limitless options. And we end up with beauty cabinets stuffed full of pots of cream and beauty supplements, many of which languish half-used or unopened.

Warmer temperatures signal the start of outdoor eating and drinking and, whether you’re simply throwing sausages onto a barbecue or planning a more elaborate al fresco feast, there’s nothing like a glass of chilled, refreshing beer to turn it into the perfect summer meal.

Intriguing, attractive, distinctive– and that’s just the drinks! This summer sees the third series of the award-winning ‘Britain’s Next Top Model’ TV show hit our screens with the beautiful hopefuls indulging in some of the most attractive and delicious drinks launched this year!

St-Germain, the world’s first elderflower liqueur, is now available exclusively from Harvey Nichols Wine Shops nationwide, priced at £20. With only 10,000 bottles made each year, the Parisian inspired liqueur is a blend of freshly picked elderflower buds, macerated in eau-de-vie and distilled grape spirit.

The 60th Cannes Film Festival will celebrate with its own limited edition cocktail this year – the Cointreaupolitan Star. It will also be available in select bars in the UK during May, and served at the glamorous charity Blush Ball presented by Breast Cancer Haven in London 3 May.

The ninth member of the Absolut family will launch in April 2007. Absolut Ruby Red is smooth and fruity with a crisp and refreshing character of zesty grapefruit. As with all members of the Absolut Vodka family, Absolut Ruby Red produced in Ahus in the province of Skane and is made from all natural ingredients containing no added sugar.

Whether you need a boost to get you through the working day or just to stay up late to watch your favourite TV show Energy 69 is the perfect pick-up at any time. The innovative energy juice combines caffeine-rich Green Tea as a natural stimulant instead of Taurine with Maltodextrin for long term stimulation.

Shochu Lounge (37 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RR), London’s only venue to create shochu tonics on site, will launch bespoke shochu on Wednesday 14 March 2007. The stylish and sexy Shochu Lounge sells over 40 flavours of shochu tonic that can be served straight or as the basis of many of the bar’s groundbreaking cocktails. Last year the venue was named ‘Best Bar’ at the 2006 Time Out Eating & Drinking Awards.

Recent research conducted by Savanna Cider suggests that something is happening on the high street; young women are adopting a quirky look which Savanna Cider’s, marketing director, Nigel Bruce has termed the ‘Ugly Betty’ syndrome. Hordes of young women on every high street across the country think it’s cool to wear ponchos, don thick rimmed glasses and aspire to wearing braces; what’s more, rather than hide their metal, they show it off proudly with multi-coloured train-tracks.

Boost Juice, the Australian retail phenomenon, is set to conquer new territory this month with its first two juice bars opening in the UK. Under a master agreement, the founders of Millies Cookies, Richard O’Sullivan & Mario Budwig - are set to unveil the new juice bars in The Trafford Centre, Manchester and The Clarendon Centre, Oxford in April.

Based in the depths of the Wiltshire countryside, the award-winning Hidden Brewery has emerged with a new real ale for 2007, Hidden Strength - a copper coloured session beer, full in taste from an Optic malting barley base, but light in alcohol content at 3.4% ABV.

An innovative energy juice combining Green Tea and Maltodextrin is set to be launched in the UK offering health and energy. Energy69 only contains 69 calories per 100ml and uses caffeine-rich Green Tea as a natural stimulant instead of Taurine. It has a kicking yet healthy caffeine content of 30mg/100ml. Maltodextrin provides further long term stimulation.

You don’t want to miss this party! On 18 February, 1.3 billion people in China and around 160,000 Chinese residents in the UK begin a 15-day celebration of Chinese New Year. A truly global celebration, Chinese New Year includes many centuries-old customs.

British Bottled Water Producers’ member, Speyside Glenlivet, has been deemed by the Financial Times to be amongst ‘The top five sparkling mineral waters’.

A recent Mintel report on the health benefits of smoothies and fresh juices, and growing popularity among consumers reflected by substantial growth in this market sector across the UK.

Green Jack Brewery’s Ripper has been named as the supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2007 by a panel of judges at CAMRA's National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester.

Voyant Chai is a new tea based cream liqueur, made from rum, premium spirits, fresh Dutch cream, rich black tea and a completely natural blend of spices used to make traditional Indian tea (aka Chai). What most people don’t know is that the Chai blend of spices (including cardamon, cinnamon, and cloves) is renowned for its aphrodisiac qualities. . .

Puccini Crystal Sambuca has won consecutive Gold Medals at the International Wine & Spirits Competition since 2003, as well as Best In Class for the last 2 years. New for 2007 are the Puccini Graphite Sambuca and Puccini Limonino Lemon Liqueur.