Have a wee read of some fun facts about summer and some recommendations for summer drinks.
The phrase “dog days of summer”, often used to describe sweltering hot days, has more to do with stars than dogs – it actually refers to the weeks in late July and early August when the star Sirius (Dog Star) begins to rise in the sky just before the sun. The star was so bright the Romans believed it gave extra heat to the sun and was responsible for the hot weather.
The word “summer” comes from the Old English names for the season – “sumor”.
More thunderstorms occur during the summer than at any other time of the year and they are most likely to occur in the south east of England.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Scotland was 32.9C at Greycook, in the Scottish Borders, on August 9, 2003.
In the summer heat, the iron in the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, expands, making the iconic monument grow by up to six inches.
Scotland has seen strong growth in flavoured cider, with mainstream flavoured cider doubling in size. This is driven by Strongbow Dark Fruit (+240% YoY volume growth). Premium flavoured cider is also in volume growth of 24% (Heineken).
25% of Scots have drunk a pre-mixed drink in a bottle (like WKD, Smirnoff Ice) in the last 12 months, 23 % have drunk a pre-mixed drink in a can (like gin and tonic, vodka and cranberry) and 19% have enjoyed a cocktail ‘freeze and squeeze’ (like Smirnoff Sorbets, Parrot Bay) (Mintel White Spirits & RTDs report December 2016).
Kopparberg Mixed Fruit is the best-selling packaged cider variant in the On Trade, followed by Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime (CGA Packaged Cider Report, Total GB, Volume Sales, MAT TY to 03.12.16)
34% of Scots would be interested in buying Vodka flavoured with real fruit juice and 32% of Scots would be interested in buying flavour-infused Vodka, while 24% would be interested in buying gin flavoured with fruit (Mintel Interest in White Spirits & RTDs report December 2016).
There is potential for non-alcoholic cocktails to grow further if operators make them as visually appealing as their alcoholic counterparts and the trend for ‘healthy’ cocktails containing superfoods will likely continue (Britvic Soft Drinks Review 2017).
Pimms was first served at an oyster bar in London in the 1800s as a digestif. The home-made concoction was mixed by a Mr Pimm, and served in a small tankard. Today it is served in a high ball glass – so there is plenty of room for the strawberry, cucumber and mint garnish.
56% of Scots would choose cider or beer when drinking outside in the sun (at a barbecue for example), 12% would opt for wine while 6% would go for sparkling wine (Mintel Alcoholic Drinks Review July 2016).
Italian beer, Menabrea, recently launched a table-top dispense unit which can be used without the need for a cellar. The unit simply connects to gas and a keg meaning outlets can pour cold pints of Menabrea outdoors, a fantastic addition to any outlet with an outdoor terrace or beer garden.
“Apple cider remains top of the tree in Scotland, making up approx. 60% of total cider sales. Within the apple sector, Magners Original is the number one in packaged and number two in draught.”
– Paul Condron, Marketing Director, Magners
36% of Scots would be interested in buying a pre-mixed drink made with real fruit juice, while 23% would be interested in buying a low-calorie pre-mixed drink and 24% of us would be interested in buying a pre-mixed drink made with all-natural ingredients (Mintel Interest in White Spirits & RTDs report December 2016).
Recent CGA data shows in terms of volume share, Tennent’s Lager is six times that of the nearest draught lager in the Scottish on-trade, meaning Tennent’s Lager is a brand that is guaranteed to generate sales and should be at the forefront of any draught range.