Family cider makers Thatchers have announced that their Blood Orange Cider attracted more shoppers than any other innovation in the beer, wine and spirits (BWS) category in 2022, making it the most successful BWS launch of the year.
It was the biggest new cider launch of the year and the fourth most purchased fruit cider in the UK. Retail sales figures released by the Kantar Shoppers Panel and the IRI also revealed it added more value to the category than all the other new cider launches combined.
Thatcher’s Blood Orange is 4% abv and made “with naturally sweet, juicy dessert apples, Braeburn, Fuji and Gala, selected for their sweetness, aroma and quality. Bursting with natural blood orange flavour, this is a vibrant, sparkling cider.”
Off-trade sales director, Chris Milton, said: “As shoppers are getting more adventurous, looking for excitement and innovation alongside knowing they are purchasing a great quality cider, Thatchers Blood Orange is a fantastic example of how an exciting, premium cider has had an impact nationally in the market. Blood Orange has tapped into the biggest flavour trend for this year, helping reinvigorate the category.”
The West Country cider maker has also launched a new traditional Thatchers Spiced Apple Cider as part of its Cider Barn range.
Thatchers say this traditional apple cider is “crafted from a blend of British bittersweet apples from our West Country orchards including Dabinett and Tremlett’s Bitter, the taste of cinnamon, cloves and ginger bring a sweet and warming character to this 4.0% Somerset cider, balanced with spicy citrus notes.”
Head cider maker Richard Johnson said: “Spiced Apple has been inspired by the traditional style of rich, round, warming cider enjoyed by generations at West Country Wassail ceremonies. Apple and cinnamon is a classic combination, and there’s good reason for that – the fruity sweetness and spice balance perfectly.”
The Wassail is a traditional ceremony held in January that sees revellers celebrate the orchards and bless the trees for a healthy crop of apples that year. Mulled, spicy cider was traditionally served to help keep out the winter cold.
Find out more about Thatchers at www.thatcherscider.co.uk.
