Festive feasts
In the week of Christmas we bring you the best of what’s available across retail
Must-have for your drinks trolley
Nuet Dry Aquavit – the world’s first super-premium aquavit, and the first and only to ever receive an award in the gin category (Silver at the Nordic Spirits Awards 2021) – makes for a unique addition to every household’s drinks cabinet or trolley.
A Scandinavian tradition since 1531, typically enjoyed neat during Christmas, aquavit has never really crossed drinkers’ palates outside of its northern territory. Nuet aims to take it to the next level, having created a unique spirit to specifically work well with classic mixers like tonic, making for an original alternative to gin. With grapefruit peel and blackcurrant influences accompanying the traditional slightly spicy-flavoured caraway, Nuet Dry Aquavit serves a fresh and smooth spirit unlike any aquavit the world has ever seen, playing a pioneering role in radically changing the category.
Gift tastebud trickery & healthy hydration through retronasal smell
Finding a thoughtful gift for your loved ones at Christmas can often be a difficult task. However, with so many of us living busy and fast-paced lives, Christmas is the perfect time to give friends and family a present that can help them make their lives a little easier. With almost half of the nation (45%) admitting they only drink one glass of water a day, with many of us choosing to drink sugary drinks instead, why not give your loved ones an air up bottle?
Air up is at the forefront of encouraging people to drink water and lead a healthier lifestyle. With the technology, consumers can give water the taste of coffee, cherry, and more without all the sugar, chemicals or artificial tastes. air up utilises retronasal smell to provide a zero calorie, zero sugar, zero additive way to drink 100% pure water which tastes flavoured. Perfect for those who struggle to get in their daily water intake.
Bell’s unveils new look
Diageo has announced a new look and feel ahead for the festive season for the UK’s second biggest blended scotch whisky, Bell’s Original Whisky. The new bottle has been launched with a £1m media investment behind the brand’s first TV commercial in six years.
The new packaging for Bell’s Original (ABV 40%) will be rolled out across all major grocers and wholesalers this December, in 70cl and 1L formats. The refreshed bottle features founder, Arthur Bell, showcasing the brand’s heritage in a contemporary way to maintain its identity and stand out on shelf.
Hot chocolate and dessert-inspired beverages this Christmas
Research from Kerry has shown that chocolate is the top festive beverage flavour in 2021, with consumers seeking indulgent, dessert-inspired tastes that appeal to their sense of nostalgia.
Examining over 200 limited time offerings (LTOs) across the Europe and Russia region, the new Art of Taste and Nutrition festive beverage analysis for 2021 categorises top platforms and flavours, while examining future trends and influences across the world. According to the research, the top three LTO trends are as follows:
- Festive nostalgia: As the festive season approaches, consumers crave festive nostalgic flavours to get them in the holiday mood. This is evident with chocolate the number one flavour for 2021, followed by gingerbread, caramel and cinnamon.
- Seasonal fruit flavours: The demand for authentic fruit taste is apparent, with seasonal flavours such as orange coming to the fore with consumers looking for more health-focused choices.
- Dessert inspired creations: Indulgent beverage offerings are persistently popular during the festive season with dessert-inspired creations appearing across more LTOs, including rocky road, fudge brownie and red velvet.
Jerk turkey this Christmas
Looking to add a bit of spice to your Christmas food experience this year? Then look no further than a new range of Caribbean meal kits, available from Tesco stores nationwide, that will give you the chance to bring some island ‘flava’ to your festive food and enjoy a Caribbean Christmas.
The Irie Eats range – Irie is Jamaican for “everything’s alright” – features five different authentic Caribbean meals, from Caribbean Curry to Spicy Jerk Wrap Kits, with different degrees of spiciness, as well as a side product of Rice and Peas, and the meal kits are easy to make in under 25 minutes with authentic ingredients, such as the signature jerk seasoning sourced from trusted Jamaican growers.
Recent research has shown that Caribbean food tops a poll of world foods with half of UK consumers looking to try something new* wanting to taste Caribbean fare and the Irie Eats meal kits seem to fit the bill.
- Rodney Jack, editor, Food & Drink Technology.
Keep in touch via email: [email protected] Twitter: @foodanddrinktec or LinkedIn: Food & Drink Technology magazine.
