12 by ROBYN BLACK
Ciders for
summer
It’s coming up to cider season! Here’s our pick of some of the must-stock brands out there – a mix of old friends and exciting new ones that we think will add some zip and zing to your range this spring and summer. 1
Thatcher’s Family Reserve
A great alternative to Prosecco, this is a Somerset sparkling apple wine, recreated from an original Thatcher’s family recipe for “Champagne cider” from the early 1900s. It comes in a wine-sized bottle with a proper caged cork for popping and is said to have “fine, delicate” fizz. Available across the on-trade this summer, this posh take on cider is made from Katy apples, which are also used to make another Thatcher’s classic – its single variety Katy Cider, which turned 21 last year. Either are worth bringing to the table to show how cider really can be something swanky.
2
Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime
3
Smirnoff Cider
Fruit ciders remain popular, particularly this one, which has been Kopparberg’s bestseller for several years now, outstripping many others in the market. Its success has even resulted in a nonalcoholic version of the drink – Strawberry & Lime Alcohol Free was launched back in 2014, joining two others (Mixed Fruit Alcohol Free and Pear Alcohol Free, two of the other best-sellers in the core range). For the first time this year the Swedish company will be putting dedicated spend behind these three non-alcoholic ciders as part of a total £6m marketing investment in the brand over the next 12 months, confirmed Kopparberg senior marketing manager Rob Salvesen.
To be honest we couldn’t decide between this and Diageo’s other venture into the cider category, Pimm’s cider, which hit the market back in 2015. Both have injected some much-needed energy into the category but in the end we felt this, which leverages the mighty Smirnoff brand, probably has the edge in terms of innovation – if only because it takes cider into the late-night occasion, where it doesn’t usually play. At four per cent ABV, three flavours are now available to pubs and bars: Raspberry &
trade.inapub.co.uk p21-22-24-26 cider.indd 21
APRIL 2018
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21/03/2018 13:09