The UK’s only dark spirit-focussed mixer company, Long Tail has launched two new flavours into its portfolio to give consumers even more freedom to experiment and discover dark spirits in a new light.
As the dark spirits category continues to show strong growth, with rum sales surpassing £1bn in the 12 months to June 2019 (WSTA) and whisk(e)y sales forecast by the IWSR to reach a value of £2.44bn by 2020, the new mixers will offer consumers more choice in terms of flavour and quality.
Long Tail, which launched in 2018, has been created with all-natural ingredients, subtle flavours and less sugars than other mixer options to appeal to modern consumer concerns. The range is perfect for serving at home and is a great adult soft drink option, but also aims to help drive dark spirit sales
in the on-trade.
The mixers can be used in simple serves which can elevate cocktail offerings while increasing consistency and speed of service, keeping staff training costs to a minimum. However, the unique flavours also offer the opportunity for bartenders to experiment and create more complex cocktails.
HIBISCUS
The very best blackcurrants have been expertly blended with wild hibiscus to produce a balanced mixer with a delicate combination of earthy and floral notes, rounded off with a bittersweet hint of clove.
Hibiscus, or sorrel as it is sometimes known, is widely drunk as tea in the Caribbean, and to echo this, the mixer has been designed to pair perfectly with rums, but it also complements golden tequilas.
LEMON SOUR
A sophisticated citrus blend of aromatic sour lemon and zesty orange notes balanced with delicate bitterness of gentian creates Lemon Sour – a clean and refreshing mixer.
Playing on the popularity of whisky sours, Lemon Sour pairs perfectly with whiskies, bourbons and golden tequila, and has been designed to allow bars and at-home consumers to easily create a simplified version of the classic cocktail.
SIGNATURE SERVES
Long Tail Mojito
1 tsp brown sugar
4 lime wedges
5-10 mint leaves, plus 1 spring to garnish
25ml Golden rum
25ml Golden tequila
Long Tail Hibiscus
In the bottom of a highball glass, muddle mint leaves with the sugar and lime wedges. Add the rum, tequila and fill with crushed ice. Using a bar spoon, mix the ingredients, then top with Long Tail Hibiscus and more crushed ice. Garnish with a mint spring and lime wedge.
Sour Storm
25ml bourbon
25ml golden rum
10ml orgeat syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Long Tail Lemon Sour
Lemon wedge, to garnish
Add the bourbon, golden rum, orgeat, and bitters into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake, then strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice. Top with Long Tail Lemon Sour and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Commenting on the launch, co-founder, Alex Jollivet, says; “We launched Long Tail in 2018 due to a frustration with the lack of mixer options for dark spirits. We wanted to find the balance with mixers that are fresh, but not overpowering, invigorating, but not over-sweetened, and to produce drinks
that harmonise with dark spirits, rather than mask their unique flavours. As categories have grown, particularly rum and tequila, we’ve been perfectly placed to help consumers enjoy these spirits in a new light.”
Co-founder, Tom Wiggett, adds; “The growth in dark spirits was calling out for innovation within mixers to match and ensure the rise is sustained. We wanted to create rounded flavours that highlight spirits in really simple serves, and that are interesting for bartenders to experiment with in more complex cocktails. As the gin boom slows, these two new flavours give bartenders and home consumers even more freedom to experiment with dark spirits in a long-style drink that replaces their G&T.”
The new Hibiscus and Lemon Sour flavours are available through the Long Tail online shop for £1.30 / 200ml RRP.
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