Bacardi-Martini to test bottled daiquiri
Bacardi-Martini is to test-launch a bottled version of Cuban cocktail the daiquiri, which was made famous by US writer Ernest Hemingway.
Bacardi Rigo is a packaged spirit which mixes the rum with lime and soda, just like a daiquiri. It has an alcoholic strength of 5.4 per cent by volume, although sources say this is weaker than the daiquiris drunk by Hemingway. Rigo is to be put on regional trial in one area of the UK before a national launch.
It is one of a number of “small bottle” spirit products launched by Bacardi-Martini in the UK over the past two years. It joins a portfolio that includes V2, Martini Metz and Bacardi Breezer.
Stella David, marketing director of Bacardi-Martini’s UK distribution arm Westbay, says: “This is not an alcopop, but a premium packaged spirit. It is sophisticated in a minimalist sort of way.”
Premium packaged spirits have gained increasing popularity over rival alcopops, which have gone into steep decline over the past year. The spirit-based drinks have greater appeal to adults and a more sophisicated image.
Westbay has also added Bombay Sapphire gin to its portfolio, after parent company Bacardi bought the brand, along with Dewar’s Scotch, from Diageo for 1.15bn.
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