Blueberry nectar, honey tequila and chipotle liqueur: the best new alcoholic drinks

Every licenced hospitality site wants to make sure their alcohol menus stand out, and unusual listings can be the key to this.

 

The backbone of drinks menus is spirits, but other niche drink categories can supplement this instead of traditional wine and beer.

 

So to spark some unique alcoholic beverage ideas, we have rounded up the most innovative new launches in the sector. Find new drinks menu options below.

 

Blueberry nectar made from honey

Gosnells has launched a limited-edition, on-trade exclusive Blueberry Velvet Nectar to add a splash of warmth and colour to a winter drinks lineup. The 4.4% abv drink is made of blossom honey blended with blueberries and served through a cream filter for a smooth blueberry flavour. Unlike its range of sparkling nectars, Gosnells has brewed this Velvet version with nitrogen gas, creating much smaller bubbles which produce a much tighter foam head and a smoother feeling on the tongue, giving more creaminess and better mouthfeel – hence the name.

 

Price 30-litre keg, £115

 

Rum celebrating Barbadian craftsmanship

Planteray Rum has introduced PXXO 20th Anniversary rum, an extra-old rum that embodies the rich heritage of Barbadian craftsmanship. The double-ageing process is a hallmark of the brand and this special edition is finished in Pedro Ximénez casks from Andalusia, creating a slow-sipping rum. The Pedro Ximénez cask encapsulates notes of nutty dried fruits and plum, complementing the rum’s layers of flavour.

 

Price £63.50

 

Experimental single malt whiskies

Islay-based distillery Bruichladdich has launched a range of heavily peated whisky, the 15th Octomore series. The trio of experimental single malts comprises Octomore 15.1, Octomore 15.2 and Octomore 15.3. 15.1 has notes of caramel, vanilla custard and sweet malt, followed by mango, banana and apricot jam, enveloped in peat smoke. 15.2 uses a combination of second fill wine and second fill bourbon casks, with the spirit finished in first fill cognac casks, resulting in a complex yet elegant single malt. Meanwhile, the 15.3 is second most heavily peated spirit in the Bruichladdich portfolio.

 

Price 700ml Octomore 15.1, £140

 

The UK’s first honey tequila

Beeble’s latest addition to its spirit collection is Honey Tequila, the first of its kind in the UK. Beeble’s Wiltshire honey is infused into blue agave blanco tequila from the Mexican agave fields of Jalisco to result in a smooth finish with delicate floral notes, ending with a lingering warmth. With its bold and sweet profile, honey tequila is suitable for serving on its own or elevating classic tequila-based cocktails such as margaritas or palomas.

 

Price 50cl, £14

 

Cognacs 25 years in the making

Cognac Frapin has revealed two of its latest offerings – Frapin Millésime 1998 – 25 Years Old and Frapin Trilogie N°1. Frapin Millésime 1998 – 25 Years Old was created from grapes from Grande Champagne, Cognac’s premier cru, resulting in an intense cognac with aromas of orange zest and dried mandarin, candied lemon and a hint of vanilla. Frapin Trilogie N°1 is a limited-edition blend of three vintages: 1986, 1988 and 1990, where each vintage is distilled and aged on the Frapin estate.

 

Price Case of six bottles of 1998 25 Years Old, £137.20

 

Ethical spicy liqueur

Ethical spirits producer Fair has launched two lines inspired by traditional Mexican ingredients. Chipotle Liqueur has a burst of smoke and spice, while the new Oaxaca Whiskey is distilled in Mexico from ancestral blue corn. Both additions to the 10-strong range will be available through Fair’s UK distributor Mangrove Global.

 

Price 70cl Fair Chipotle, £19