British cider spritz, Italian-style bitters and sweet spring mixers: the best new drinks for pubs and bars

Despite the alarming amount of closures in the sector in the past year, there is clearly still demand to socialise in pubs and bars. Licensed and hotel property agent Everard Cole recently revealed that nearly 90% of the properties sold in 2024 were continuing their life as pubs.

 

But with such a tough fight under way to secure and retain custom, pub and bar operators need to ensure their drinks offering stands out.

 

Here are the latest alcoholic drinks and mixers that could provide a key point of difference to pub and bar menus.

 

Find new drinks menu options below.

 

British cider and sloe spritz

Saxby’s Cider has introduced a Slider Spritz, which mixes apples with sloes for a fruity, full-bodied drink. The ruby red 15% abv drink is made on Saxby’s farm in Northamptonshire and is available in 70cl bottles. The cider brand collaborated with a local gin maker, blending the used sloes from sloe gin with its own cider, then maturing them together for over a year for a rich, smooth, bittersweet flavour. The Slider Spritz can be served neat over ice or with mixers, or can be used to top up cocktails.

 

Price 6 x 70cl bottles, £80.22

 

Sherry cask-matured spicy whisky

Morrison Distillers’ brand Old Perth has released 1,482 bottles of Old Perth Vintage Collection 2009, a rich whisky that showcases complexity and depth achieved through a selection of three carefully chosen Oloroso and PX sherry casks. The resulting deep mahogany whisky is spicy and bold, with layers of dried fruit, sugar and spice and notes of sandalwood and dried tobacco leaves.

 

Price £72

 

Italian-style botanical bitters

Vermouth and apéritif producer the Aperitivo Co has created 22.5% abv Red Bitter at its Bristol base. This modern British take on Italy’s iconic bitters has been in development for more than three years and combines more than 20 botanicals to create notes of wormwood and bitter orange, orris root, Curaçao oranges and cherry stalks to add a soft sweetness. Ginseng and rosemary bring a touch of warming spice to round out the flavour.

 

Price 700ml bottle, £23

 

Canned G&T with Cumbrian tonic

Cumbrian small batch spirits producer Shed One Distillery has launched ready to drink (RTD) canned gin and tonic. Fancy Frolic gin, which has notes of lime, ginger, strawberry and elderflower, is combined with Cumbrian Tonic Water, created in partnership with producer Mawson’s, in 250ml slimline cans. A low-calorie option with ‘Naturally Light’ Cumbrian Tonic Water is also available.

 

Price 250ml can, £2

 

Spring syrups

Monin has introduced two new syrup flavours for spring, in toasted marshmallow and rhubarb flavours. The new additions are primed to help bartenders tap into trends and elevate traditional serves such as spritzes and frappés. Toasted marshmallow leans into the trend for indulgence, while rhubarb is a staple British spring and summertime flavour. Both syrups use natural flavourings and colourings as well as being allergen-free and vegan friendly.

 

Price 70cl bottle, £7.99

 

Fruity Scotch whisky

The Heart Cut is launching its first single malt Scotch whisky in collaboration with Nc’nean, an independent, organic distillery from the west coast of Scotland. The Heart Cut #12 is made with organic local barley and is finished in a Madeira wine cask, resulting in a classic and refined whisky with notes of lemon balm and sherbet lemons, underscored by a tropical medley of papaya and guava. There are only 391 bottles of the 54% abv whisky available.

 

Price 50cl bottle, £42