Published: 22 December, 2025
Peru’s pisco producers have been dipping their collective toes in the UK market for some time, with embassy-backed London tastings attracting small but growing numbers from the trade. At the latest event, though, at the In & Out Club this December, there was a new focus as to the possibilities for pisco – and especially the premium propositions – to grow as an exciting ‘new’ category on back bars and independent merchant shelves in Britain.
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Published: 22 December, 2025
Looking back, 2025 was another stinker of a year for the spirits and hospitality industries; a rollercoaster ride punctuated by a bad business environment, consumers having less disposable income, and venues closing their doors at an unprecedented rate. With that out the way, it’s time to look ahead to 2026 – as we thoroughly cheer the fact that 2025 is over and done with. So, with just a dash of optimism and foresight, what will be pouring into our glasses and being enjoyed in-venue next year? I have a few ideas.
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Published: 16 December, 2025
Andrew Catchpole catches up with Tasha Iny, recently appointed champion of all things tequila and mezcal at world-leading category driver Proximo.
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Published: 21 November, 2025
Port’s postprandial image is one that has long buoyed UK sales for the Douro’s array of fortified wine producers. However, with changing tastes come changing demands. Although there will remain a strong appetite for traditional expressions of the category, Port houses both established and new are looking to appeal to a younger demographic who may be only just commencing their Port journey. Harpers spoke to producers who ply their trade in the steep-hilled valley to determine how they are seeking to appeal to this disruptive demographic.
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Published: 17 November, 2025
According to the seventh annual Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, Gen Z is driving cocktail culture in the UK.
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Published: 06 October, 2025
Norway’s Felice Capasso has won the title of World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2025 at the Toronto-hosted annual ceremony.
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Having competed in the past three years of World Class GB, 2025’s winner Emanuele Mensah has some perspective on how Diageo’s bartender competition is evolving, and how it reflects broader industry trends.
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I do so enjoy punctuating my usual grumbly opinion pieces with love letters to spirits. And this month, it’s the turn of vermouth. An historic fortified wine infused with various botanical flavours, it’s a firm favourite all over Europe, in the United States, and perhaps unexpectedly, in South America. It conjures romantic images of shaded al fresco drinking spots, on sunny European streets, and it’s bloody delicious to boot. So why isn’t it a staple in our booze cupboards at home? Here’s my reasoning for why it should be.
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If it wasn’t for the Aviation – love it or hate it – Créme de Violette may not exist. For much of this century-old classic cocktail’s existence, bartenders couldn’t get their hands on the violet-flavoured liqueur that gave the drink its distinctive colour and floral notes, and it was frequently omitted. But in the early 2000s, the craft cocktail movement brought enough demand for this near-forgotten ingredient that it reappeared; today there are more than a few to choose from. And the Aviation continues to be found on cocktail lists around the world in its original form.
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Published: 14 April, 2025
Colchester-headquartered independent drinks manufacturer and distributor Riviera Drinks has announced the acquisition of Soho Street Cocktails, a ready-made cocktail brand.
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181 Piccadilly, St James’s, London W1A 1ER
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Published: 24 January, 2023
Canopy by Hilton London City, London EC3N 1AX
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Published: 21 November, 2022
You’ll not find many in the spirits industry praising the rise from the grave of the humble RTD – and to those who are disparaging of ready to drink products, I say, get over yourself.
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Published: 30 September, 2022
Pernod Ricard is banking on the return of a pre-pandemic Christmas atmosphere this year, with its festive campaigns revealing a heavy focus on leveraging treating behaviours amid a tense economy, bouyed by the world cup.
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Published: 09 September, 2022
17 Little Portland Street, London W1W 8BP
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Published: 11 March, 2022
Nightjar, the landmark speakeasy on Old Street is preparing to open its doors to a second site in Soho.
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Published: 01 March, 2022
The purveyor of bar-quality pouches of popular cocktails talks to Andrew Catchpole about the explosive growth in ready-to-drink.
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Published: 28 February, 2022
Ryan Chetiyawardana, better known by alias Mr Lyan, says his first launch, White Lyan, was branded as a heretical concept by his peers and ‘demonised’ when it launched back in 2013 for its left-field approach to cocktails. Fast forward nine years, and the British entrepreneur is on the cusp of launching Seed Library, which sees him come full circle to where it all began in East London.
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Published: 24 February, 2022
A brand new recognition system for the world’s best bars has been announced – set to become one of the bar industry’s most respected accolades of excellence.
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Published: 19 January, 2022
Blackfish brands have welcome former Accolade Wines boss, Ade McKeon, into their governing board as non-executive director.
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