WITH the festive season just around the corner Ally Shaw, head of drinks at Scoop Restaurant Group, shared his predictions for how he thinks the season will go:
• What are the styles of drink you expect to prove popular this festive season?
“I think we can expect the usual lean into spices, rich textures and dairy that comes round every year with the chilly weather.
“We’re looking at some variations on December cocktails that use these themes and some that take a different edge – so using double cream fat washing to add dairy flavour and mouthfeel without the heaviness, and spiced spirit-forward infusions that evoke that nip that gets left out for ‘Santa’.”
• Do you have any expectations of customer behaviours in the on-trade this festive season?
“Experience over volume will be the trend in comparison to previous years.
“A customer who’s being choosy about where to spend their precious budget won’t be falling for gimmicks and special offers, they’ll be looking for quality, value and an excellent experience.”
• Do you have any general hints and tips with regard to how licensees can promote their drinks ranges in-outlet over the festive season?
“Make your unique offering known and tell the story behind it, how it’s made, what are the influences behind it and why should we order it.”
• What’s your personal favourite festive tipple?
“I’m partial to a wee dram, something with equal parts smoke and toffee. Or an Old Fashioned – either the ‘old fashioned’ kind, or something a little different.
“My favourite serve on the Sebb’s list right now is That Old Chestnut – an Old Fashioned using Woodford Reserve, chestnut liqueur, Cassis and Campari that we infuse with cacao nibs.”
