Happy Christmas! You’ve made it! On today’s show we’re back with me, David Eden-Sangwell and Samuel Boulton, the Vermouth Ambassador to talk drinks trends.

The Vanguard Bar, Birmingham

We start off with a quick update of Sam’s Vanguard Bar project which will be opening early in 2018 when he returns from Japan. Due to some delays with building works at the site the venue won’t be open for Christmas, but will open fully in January after successful pop up style testing nights in December 2017. The Vanguard will feature modern cocktails and Mead to a soundtrack of chilled hip-hop.

Drinks Trends 2017 Prediction Review

After a thorough search of the first couple of results on Google, we’re looking through 31Dover.com‘s Drinks Trends for 2017 post from the beginning of last year. Its always tricky to get right, so we’re seeing how they did in retrospect. The following is the text from their article which we’re discussing, so you can read along and find all the products that we’re chatting about.

1. THE GREAT BRITISH TAKE OFF ✅

There’s a couple of factors at play here to suggest it’s going to be a big year for British booze. Firstly, there’s been a steady increase in sales of English fizz, with the category emerging as one of the most exciting and promising developments in the wine world. Chapel Down are set to replace Bollinger as the official sponsor of the Oxford & Cambridge boat race, rumours are circulating that Nyetimber have some tricks up their sleeve and Gusbourne are going from strength to strength.

With Brexit too, and potential price increases on imports, there’s opportunity for British brands to make some noise with a twist on tradition. Already Tarquin’s Cornish Pastis, Dark Matter’s Scottish Spiced Rum and Somerset Cider Brandy are competing with traditionally imported product.

2. FLAVOUR BEHAVIOUR ❌

2016 saw a huge increase in sales of flavoured spirits. Warner Edwards Rhubarb Gin saw a sales increase of over 700% on 31Dover.com, and their new botanical release, Melissa Gin was launched to great acclaim. The flavour of the summer, Pink Grapefruit, was imagined as a new Gin by Chase Distillery and a Vodka by Ciroc.

For 2017, new flavoured variants will be in abundance – but not just white spirits and citrus combinations. From beetroot, pomegranate and aloe vera, to cola & apricot and elderflower & grape, the flavours universe is expanding in every direction across all categories.

Just-drinks commentator Richard Corbett describes flavours in soft drinks as “the key focal point of innovation, created in response to broadening consumer tastes and expectations”. As customers become more adventurous, with palates opened up to world cuisine,