Jameson launches Grow Your Own Cocktail challenge

Bartenders can win cash prizes by entering the Grow Your Own Cocktail web challenge launched by Irish whiskey brand Jameson.

The Drinks Drop cocktail delivery service goes national

Cocktail delivery service The Drinks Drop has increased its service to nationwide giving British consumers access to drinks from bars in London and Manchester.

Asahi announces $1.5bn share offering

Asahi aims to raise up to $1.5 billion in a share offering to repay loans taken out to buy Carlton & United Breweries from AB InBev.

Tito's Handmade Vodka appoints C&C Group as UK distributor

Tito’s Handmade Vodka has appointed C&C Group as its exclusive distributor for the UK market.

Brewdog to plant a million trees in bid for carbon negativity

Brewdog claims to be the world’s first carbon negative international beer producer after announcing plans to plan a million trees in the Scottish Highlands.

New York breweries discontinue Aqua Shiva beer after Hindu protests

Two New York breweries have apologized and swiftly discontinued a “highly inappropriate” collaboration beer named after a Hindu deity.

Moët & Chandon supports on-trade footfall with online voucher

Moët & Chandon has teamed up with UK bar group The Alchemist to offer Champagne lovers complimentary drinks if they buy a bottle online.

Ardbeg announces new distillery manager

Ardbeg has announced that Colin Gordon will take over as distillery manager after incumbent Mickey Heads retires in October.

Naomi Osaka invests in sake producer

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka has been appointed as creative director for SOTO after investing in the premium sake brand.

International Spirits Challenge 2020 announces results for gin, vodka and rum

Some of the world’s leading distillers are celebrating after securing impressive medal hauls in the International Spirits Challenge 2020.

Diageo to purchase Aviation Gin in $610m deal

Diageo will purchase Aviation Gin and several sister brands in a deal worth up to $610 million.

Burgess opens Ever After bar with all-day drinking and dining vibes

Renowned bar owner Ali Burgess says his new venue Ever After will deliver an all-day drinking and dining experience which is missing from the London bar scene.

US spirits industry reiterates pleas for tariff dispute de-escalation

The US government has announced that the existing 25% tariffs will remain on single malt Scotch for the foreseeable future.

Carlsberg suspends share buyback as profits dwindle

Danish brewer Carlsberg expects to report an organic operating decline of 10% to 15% this year as a result of on-trade closures.

Piper-Heidsieck launches Prohibition inspired bottle

Piper-Heidsieck has launched a limited-edition bottle and gift box to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Prohibition in the US.

Corona named world's most valuable beer despite pandemic name clash

The world’s most valuable alcoholic drinks brands could lose up to US$33bn worth of brand value as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to brand valuation company Brand Finance.

South Africa urged to end "devastating" alcohol prohibition

The South African government has been urged to scrap its alcohol prohibition in order to avoid “devastating consequences” at home and abroad.

Enotria & Coe secures £6m equity investment

UK on-trade wine and spirits supplier Enotria & Coe has secured a £6 million investment from a private equity group to help it navigate choppy waters ahead.

US hospitality industry revived almost 600,000 jobs in July

The US bar and restaurant industry revived 592,000 jobs across the country in July, according to new statistics from the Bureau of Labor.

Mr Lyan's Cub closes permanently

Cub, the Hoxton venue by Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr Lyan) and Doug McMaster, will not re-open at its site following lockdown.

Angostura boosts production capacity with new facility

Angostura is poised to increase its daily production capacity to 13,500 litres after unveiling a multimillion-dollar water recovery facility.

Pernod Ricard reopens Beefeater and Plymouth Gin distilleries

Pernod Ricard will reopen its Beefeater and Plymouth Gin distilleries to the public for tours this week.

Black Chalk makes inroads into Japanese sparkling wine market

English sparkling wine producer Black Chalk has announced plans to set up an office in Tokyo as it bids to crack the Japanese market.

Loungers shares increase 21% after strong post-lockdown performance

British bar and casual dining group Loungers has seen its share price increase 21% this morning after it revealed strong trading figures since reopening post-lockdown.

US off-trade sales continue to surge throughout summer

Sales of spirits, wine and beer continue to soar in the US off-trade as shoppers shun bars and restaurants in favor of drinking at home.

Doña Sofía launches as UK's first CBD RTDs

Doña Sofía has launched the UK’s first CBD-infused ready-to-drink cocktails with a range of non-alcoholic varieties also on the horizon.

Ramón Bilbao unveils new range of single vineyard Lalomba wines

Ramón Bilbao has unveiled a collection of high-quality, single vineyard wines in order to showcase some of the best terroirs from across the Rioja region.

Heineken 0.0% takes over Europa League sponsorship

Heineken 0.0% will take over sponsorship of the Europa League when the tournament resumes on Wednesday night.

Concha y Toro reports strong sales and profit growth in Q2

Leading Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro has reported that Q2 consolidated sales grew 16.5% in difficult trading conditions.

50 Best For Recovery Grants deadline extended

THe deadline for applications to the 50 Best For Recovery Fund, a global initiative to provide financial relief for the hospitality sector, has been extended.

Shift6 PR offers free services to independent clients

London-based PR agency Shift6 has been offering its services free of charge to its independent hospitality clients since bars were permitted to open in the country on 4 July.

Campari reports H1 sales decline of 11%

Campari has reported that organic sales declined 11.3% in the first six months of 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

BCB Brooklyn launches legal support series

Bar Convent Brooklyn has launched a partnership with legal firm DiPasquale & Summers to offer support and act as a resource for the hospitality community.

McGurk departs The Savoy

Declan McGurk is to leave The Savoy in London, after seven years at the helm of the hotel's famed American Bar, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

Lebanese winery Ixsir gears up for export drive

Lebanese wine producer Ixsir is ramping up its focus on exports after the domestic market was hit by a double whammy of hyperinflation and Covid-19.

Bacardi prepares for a new era of summer socialising

Bacardi has launched a number of initiatives to help bar owners and retailers make the most of a new era of summer socialising.

Pernod Ricard improves outlook for full-year profits

Pernod Ricard now expects the decline in full-year profits to be less severe than initially anticipated as a result of cost control and resilient sales.

London Cocktail Week 2020 to cover entirety of October

The organisers of London Cocktail Week have announced that the festival will go ahead in 2020 and run for the entire month of October.

Rémy Cointreau sales declined 32.8% in Q1

Rémy Cointreau suffered a 32.8% year-on-year sales decline in the three months to June 30 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

India's growing penchant for homegrown drinks brands

Not long ago, India was known as a country that produced whisky from molasses, and the majority of sales came from the category of spirits called IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor).

Chivas Regal master blender Colin Scott reflects upon his illustrious career

Colin Scott has retired from his role as the custodian master blender of Chivas Regal after enjoying an illustrious 47-year career in the Scotch whisky industry. Drinks International caught up with the esteemed blender on his final day at the office.

How to grow beer sales in a challenging market

In America, the beer category has lost volume to wine and spirit in recent years. There are several reasons for this.

Harrods launches Baccarat Bar in Knightsbridge

Harrods has launched its first stand-alone concept bar called Baccarat Bar alongside Baccarat Crystal and Diageo World Class winner Cameron Attfield, Drinks International can exclusively reveal.

Heineken reports 52.5% decrease in half-year earnings

Heineken has reported a 52.5% decline in first-half earnings after the Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on its on-trade business.

Agora aims to reignite a passion for vermouth

A vermouth lover aims to bring finesse and balance to the category with the launch of his small-batch Agora Vermouth.

Márcio Silva to make New York splash

Bartender Márcio Silva will join forces with chef Manoella Buffara in a New York venture early next year, bringing two of the most famous names in Brazilian hospitality under one roof.

Michter's bourbon barrel fetches £166,000 ($209,462) at 50 Best charity auction

A private barrel selection bottling of Michter’s 10 Year Old bourbon has sold for a record £166,000 ($209,462) at a charity auction in London.

California bars ordered to close following spike in coronavirus cases

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered all bars to shut their doors after a spike in Covid-19 cases across the state.

Prosecco DOCG to reduce maximum yields per hectare

The Prosecco DOCG will reduce the maximum permitted yield to 12,000 kilos per hectare for the 2020 harvest.

South Africa reintroduces alcohol sales ban after Covid-19 cases spike

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has reinstated the country’s ban on alcohol sales in a bid to free up beds for Covid-19 patients.