To mark its 145 years of hertiage, UK’s leading authentic cider maker Westons Cider has launched Henry Westons 1880 Vintage, a 500ml bottle (RRP £2.50) of which will beavailable in Booker from late-February.
Building on the strong success of Henry Westons Vintage, the UK’s number one cider, 1880 Vintage will become a permanent addition to the range.
Rooted in heritage and craftsmanship, this offers retailers a valuable opportunity to drive further growth, capitalising on the rapidly expanding crafted cider segment. Growing faster than any other subcategory, crafted cider now accounts for an impressive 24 per cent of all cider sales worth £265 million.
Inspired by one of the original recipes from the Westons family archives, Henry Westons 1880 Vintage combines 145 years of expertise with a modern approach to cider-making.
Complementing the brand’s hallmark medium dry offerings, this medium cider is designed to broaden appeal and draw in shoppers seeking an easy-to-drink cider with the unmistakable Henry Westons credentials, offering a smooth, sip-and-savour experience.
Made from a single year’s harvest and locally sourced within 50 miles of the Westons mill, this exceptional cider uses only traditional apple varieties like Dabinett, Yarlington Mill, and Kingston Black, renowned for their rich flavour profiles, while supporting the local community.
The 1880 Vintage balances ripe apple aromas, sweet oak notes, and a golden apple hue making it an accessible yet premium choice for both loyal Henry Westons fans and new cider drinkers.
“Henry Westons 1880 Vintage is a true celebration of our heritage and craftsmanship, made from a recipe passed down through five generations of the Westons family.
"For 145 years, we’ve been dedicated to producing exceptional ciders, and this launch perfectly combines our rich history with the evolving tastes of today’s consumers,” explains Holly Chadwick, Henry Westons Brand Manager at Westons Cider.
“The 1880 Vintage delivers the unparalleled quality and authenticity that have established Henry Westons as a trusted leader in the UK cider market, making it a must-stock for retailers eager to capitalise on the sustained growing demand for crafted, heritage-led ciders.”
The Henry Westons brand, valued at £98 million and growing at +5.1 per cent, continues to dominate the quality off-trade cider category. With Henry Westons Vintage 500ml the number one cider SKU in the UK off-trade, the brand has built unmatched customer loyalty, making it a key driver of category growth for retailers.
Henry Westons 1880 Vintage (6.2% ABV) will be available from in dual formats to meet a range of shopper missions. A 500ml bottle (RRP £2.50) available in Booker from late-February, before rolling out in Asda, Sainsbury’s and Coop in late March.
A 750ml bottle (RRP £2.80), available exclusively in Tesco from late March.
Run by the fourth generation of the Weston family, Westons Cider also produces Stowford Press & Old Rosie.
Vodka brand Smirnoff is launching a brand-new product: Smirnoff Miami Peach Spirit Drink. New Smirnoff Miami Peach combines juicy-sweet peach flavours with the smooth taste of Smirnoff Vodka, inspired by the vibrant energy of summer days on Miami Beach. Peach is a delicious and versatile flavour making it perfect for creating a range of simple and impressive serves.
New product launches in the flavoured vodka category contributed £7.6m growth in the off-trade last year, and Smirnoff is looking to drive further incremental sales in the category as consumers look to experiment with new favourites ahead of the summer.
“Smirnoff has driven the growth of spirit flavours in the off-trade with previous launches like Cherry Drop, Mango and Passionfruit, and Raspberry Crush,” said Jessica Lace, Head of Smirnoff GB. “Our brand is an expert in this space, with Raspberry Crush being the biggest flavoured spirit launch of the last three years, generating the highest sales value among new products launched in spirits.
“Peach is the flavour of the moment, and Smirnoff Miami Peach gives shoppers the opportunity to experiment with different mixers to create their own peachy summer serve. The spirit drink pairs perfectly with lemonade for a delicious and simple mixed drink that will bring the Miami vibes to the UK, alternatively shoppers can experiment with a Miami Peach Sunrise or Miami Peach & Iced Tea to level-up cocktail night at-home!”
To support the launch of Miami Peach, a creative 360 marketing campaign is being launched, celebrating the colourful vibrancy of Miami across A/V, social, experiential and out of home. The through the line campaign will connect music, entertainment and culture with the fruity flavours of Smirnoff Miami Peach to create unforgettable moments. Retailers will be able to sign up through Diageo One to get exclusive point of sale displays to bring Miami to their stores and evoke summer year-round for their customers.
New Smirnoff Miami Peach will be available as a 70cl spirit drink (35 per cent ABV) that is launching on 1 March and as well as a convenient ready-to-drink 250ml can mixed with lemonade (five per cent ABV) which is launching on 7 March.
Having entered the UK’s Top 10 Spirits in 2024, rising three places up the ranks verses last year, Jameson is continuing to recruit consumers through its Jameson, Ginger & Lime serve, newly extended Premium range, and its long-term partnership with the English Football League (EFL), the latter having helped deliver record high equity levels for the brand.
This St. Patrick’s Day, Jameson will bring to life its three core values of being welcoming, smooth and light-hearted, with a new campaign "Must Be A Jameson". Set to reach over 15 million consumers, the TV partnership will be live from 24 February to 14 April via Sky Sports, as well as Video on Demand (including ITV, Channel 4, Prime Video) and online video (YouTube).
Wembley Jameson event
The Sky Sports tie-up supports the brand’s long-term partnership with the EFL and as part of this, a large-scale experiential event will also be executed at the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday 16 March. The Jameson Bus "Orla Board" will be ready to greet over 80,000 Liverpool and Newcastle United fans as they descend on Wembley Stadium to see one team lift the trophy. The bus will be serving Jameson, Ginger & Lime drinks, handing out Jameson merchandise, as well as encouraging football fans to drink responsibly though the distribution of water as part of Pernod Ricard’s Drink More Water campaign.
“We’re going to paint the whole month green, not just St. Patrick’s Day Weekend!" said Josh McCarthy, Brand Director for Pernod Ricard UK. "The last 18-months has seen us gain so much momentum thanks to the hard work of our teams. We’ll be toasting all that’s great about Jameson with fans of our whiskey, our partners and some of our favourite creators. We’ve got a Yard Sale Pizza collab for the food lovers, our Jameson Bus at Wembley for the League Cup Final with the EFL and Jameson, Ginger & Lime samples to share with consumers across the country, you’re not going to miss us this March. Sláinte!”
Absolut is serving up something special with the group, Sugababes. Just like the girls themselves, this exciting cocktail range is all about flavour, style, and creativity. Featuring renowned Absolut Vodka flavours — including Absolut Raspberri, Absolut Vanilia, and Absolut Hunni — each cocktail puts a fresh twist on a classic recipe, capturing the essence of the Sugababes in every sip.
AbsolutPush the Berri Button Collins – by Mutya
AbsolutRound Round Martini – by Keisha
AbsolutHunni Like Me Martini – by Siobhan
Absolut and Sugababes are calling all fans to go "Round Round" to their local stores to be in the mix for winning exclusive prizes including tickets, merch and signed goodies. Consumers will be able to enter a competition to see the band live on their 2025 tour just by scanning a QR code in-store and can increase their chances to win by purchasing a bottle of Absolut flavoured vodka (Absolut Hunni, Absolut Raspberri and Absolut Vanilia). Consumers will be asked to input the last four digits of the bottle’s barcode as proof of purchase when entering the competition via the Absolut website.
Throughout their 2025 tour, the iconic pop trifecta will be autographing a limited number of Absolut flavoured vodka bottles, which will be available for fans to win across Absolut’s social media channels throughout the tour. Additionally, Absolut will be offering limited ‘Tab on Tour’ bar tabs at selected Revolution venues throughout Sugababes April tour (T&Cs below).
“Absolut believes we’re Born To Mix – celebrating the power of blending, whether it’s drinks, ideas or people," said Alison Perrottet, Brand Director for Absolut UK. "With a legacy of supporting creative communities since 1979, Absolut partners with artists and musicians to spark cultural conversations and inspire progress. This partnership with the Sugababes, a group celebrated not only for their music but also for representing reinvention and unity, showcases how blending voices, talents, and perspectives can inspire and celebrate diversity and creativity.
Perrottet continued: “We’re buzzing to share this Absolut Vodka cocktail collection with you – each drink is inspired by our own bold and unique style! From the playful energy of Mutya’s Push the Berri Button Collins to the sophistication of Keisha’s Round Round Martini, and the classic charm of Siobhan’s Hunni Like Me Martini. It’s all about mixing things up, having fun, and bringing new twists to classic recipes we love. Enjoy! – Sugababes.”
A centuries-old Indian spirit, banned during British colonial rule, is poised to make a dramatic entrance onto the UK drinks market.
Six Brothers Mahura, distilled from the culturally significant Mahura flower (Madhuca Longifolia), will launch in the UK in 2025, marking the first time this unique spirit has been sold outside of India. This launch follows the unveiling of a limited-edition ultra-premium release, the Six Brothers 1922 Resurrection Mahura, of which only 102 bottles are available.
Also known as Mahua, Mahuva, Mahuda or Mhowra, the Mahura tree is native to the forests of western and central India. Its flower has long been cherished by indigenous tribal communities and royalty alike, but its distillation was suppressed during colonial times to protect European spirit imports. Now, South Seas Distilleries, one of India’s oldest malt distilleries, is reviving this forgotten heritage with two Mahura expressions.
Six Brothers Small Batch Mahura, the spirit launching in the UK, is a premium spirit, double-distilled in copper pot stills and platinum filtered. Its complex and aromatic profile offers sweet, earthy notes of dried fruits, pepper, and ginger, followed by a clean, spicy finish with lingering raisin. The spirit is expected to be versatile, lending itself to a range of sophisticated cocktails.
To celebrate the UK launch and introduce Mahura to the market, South Seas Distilleries has launched the Six Brothers Mahura Masters cocktail competition. Set to take place in March at the prestigious Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood London, the competition invites top bartenders to create innovative cocktails using Mahura.
Andy Loudon, Director of Bars at Scarfes Bar, said the venue was the perfect setting for the launch of a new spirit category.
“With a legacy of redefining cocktail culture through creativity and narrative driven storytelling, Scarfes Bar naturally aligns with the symbolism of the Mahura flower: rare, vibrant, and full of possibility,” Loudon commented.
“The venue’s history of hosting world-class competitions and championing forward-thinking bartending makes it a fitting stage to unveil a spirit that, like the Mahura, signifies growth, transformation, and a bold new chapter in the world of cocktails.”
Drinks critic Douglas Blyde, a judge for the competition, added: “The competition provides an opportunity to introduce this groundbreaking spirit to the UK market, engaging the capital’s best talent in the process. Bartenders will have the unique chance to shape the way Mahura as a category is received in the UK, and to push the boundaries of what this versatile spirit can do in cocktails.”
The competition will see two winners being rewarded with a luxury trip to India to learn about the spirit’s cultural and distilling heritage, timed to coincide with the Mahura tree’s blooming season.
Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola ready-to-drink (RTD) has been crowned the winner of the Pre-Mixed Spirit category at the 2025 Product of the Year Awards, the UK’s largest consumer-voted accolade for product innovation.
The launch in March 2023 brought the two brands together, each with a vast global footprint, to offer a convenient, consistent bar quality drink for consumers to enjoy at home. Voted by a panel of 8,000 shoppers, the win reflects the popularity of the product among consumers and retailers alike.
To date, the drink – which includes variants with and without sugar – has generated more than £55m in sales, with Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola Original Taste becoming GB's top-selling ARTD SKU. The Zero Sugar variant caters to rising demand for low and no sugar options, contributing 16 per cent of sales so far and showing strong growth potential.
To help deliver visible value for convenience shoppers, the brand introduced price-marked packs (PMPs) last summer – further solidifying Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD as a must-have offering in the convenience channel, where value remains one of shoppers’ primary motivations.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to win this prestigious award, particularly because it’s voted for by consumers themselves,” said Elaine Maher, Associate Director, Alcohol Ready-to-Drink at CCEP GB. “It’s the ultimate seal of approval, and with 71 per cent of shoppers more likely to buy a product that has won, the drink is set to go from strength to strength.
"This achievement is a powerful reminder of why we’re so passionate about innovation and delivering what consumers want in the ARTD category – which is worth £554m in GB. It’s the perfect way to kick off what’s set to be a very exciting year for our ARTD portfolio, with incredible new launches and campaigns set to unlock continued growth."
Celebrating 21 years of innovation in the UK, the Product of the Year Awards operates in more than 45 countries, offering a trusted seal that boosts brand recognition, increasing consumer awareness by 81 per cent and purchase intent by 71 per cent, helping to reinforce Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola ARTD’s leadership in the booming ARTD category.