Molson Coors Beverage Company has agreed an exclusive UK distribution deal with garnish producer Mixologist’s Garden to deliver the perfect serve for on-trade customers.
Mixologist’s Garden, part of Dole Plc, has created a range of freeze-dried fruit drinks garnishes with a dramatically longer shelf life than fresh garnishes that reduces food waste and retains flavour and presentation.
Molson Coors is launching the range of drink and cocktail-ready berry and citrus garnishes to the UK on-trade from March, following research which shows that 88% of on-trade consumers are prepared to pay more for the perfect serve*.
Mixologist’s Garden picks its fruit during the peak growing season to ensure the best quality and flavour. The fruit is frozen and then placed in a vacuum at a higher temperature, removing 95% of the water whilst preserving flavour and colour. The fruit then rehydrates once immersed in liquid giving a perfect fruit serve in seconds.
Martyn Cozens, Director of UK On-Trade at Molson Coors, said: “We know that a well-presented drink with a fruit garnish is what consumers enjoy. It looks better, tastes better and helps elevate a drink served in a pub or bar, above what people will pour for themselves at home.
“Having a large supply of fresh fruit on the bar is challenging, particularly in venues where there isn’t huge amounts of space. Hygiene, time, cost and waste are among the many reasons why outlets avoid using fresh fruit. Mixologist’s Garden’s freeze-dried garnishes solve all of these problems while retaining the visual and flavour benefits of a perfectly presented serve.”
Stuart Findlater, Business Unit Director at Mixologist’s Garden, said: “We’ve rigorously taste-tested our range with consumers and they say it performs well, often even better, on taste, smell and visuals compared to fresh fruit. Our products offer a great consumer experience as well as solving a number of challenges for operators.
“Tapping into Molson Coors distribution network, with one of the largest on-trade customer footprints in the UK, is a key part of our business growth strategy and we’re looking forward to putting Mixologist’s Garden in front of customers in a range of on trade outlets across the UK & Ireland.”