Bacardi is expanding its range of no- and low-alcohol drinks with the launch of alcohol-free spirit Palette.
The new product evolved from conversations between Bacardi and bartenders in Amsterdam, focused on developing a new non-alcoholic spirit that would inspire creativity among the bartending community.
The brand debuts with two 500ml expressions: Palette Roots and Palette Bold.
Palette Roots offers a ‘deep, complex and fragrant flavour’, and is made using juniper berries, ginger and the oils of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon.
Meanwhile, Palette Bold is said to taste like an aged spirit, with an ‘upfront and punchy experience’, followed by ‘woody, oak and smoky’ notes.
The brand’s master of botanicals, Alessandro Garneri, and his team used ‘cutting-edge’ technology and three different methods to obtain ‘intense, all-natural flavours’ from the botanicals.
Ingredients used in the range include American oakwood, gentian root, juniper berries, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.
Marine Rozenfeld, innovation development lead for Bacardi Europe, Australia and New Zealand, said: “Palette is the perfect choice for creative bartenders looking to mix things up behind the bar. I can’t wait to see how they use Palette to flex their creative muscles with non-alcoholic cocktails in a way that’s never been possible before.
“We’re calling time on sweet, tasteless ‘mocktails’. With the launch of Palette coming hot on the heels of our new Martini Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo with its groundbreaking quality and taste, we are definitely taking mindful drinking to new heights.”
To cement its close relationship with the on-trade, Palette will be launching in select bars in London, Paris and Amsterdam from January 2022.
According to drinks market analyst IWSR, the ‘no and low’ category grew by more than 30 per cent in 2020 and global consumption of no- and low-alcohol products is expected to grow by another 31 per cent by 2024.
Alongside Palette, Bacardi has a number of ‘no and low’ options in its range including the alcohol-free Martini Vibrante and Floreale expressions, as well as Martini Fiero Vermouth and St-Germain elderflower liqueur.
