Latest news with #alcoholicdrinks
Irish Times
a day ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Health labelling on alcoholic drinks set to be deferred until 2029
The Government is set to defer plans to require health labelling on alcoholic drinks until 2029, it is expected. In an email sent to members of its trade forum on Tuesday, the Government signalled that a decision on deferring the long-planned move will be made next week. However, it is expected within Government that the introduction of the labels - which was due next year - will be deferred to 2029. Sources said that the Government is still committed to a policy which is 'public health led' but that it would now be 'aligned with Europe'. READ MORE [ TD says she hasn't drunk alcohol in over 13 years during impassioned plea to not delay health-warning labels Opens in new window ] Mandatory health labelling for alcohol products, including cancer warnings, was among a raft of measures included in the Public Health Alcohol Act. The plan had been to introduce the labels in May 2026. However, lobbying by industry focused on additional costs for Irish producers at a time when they may be facing crippling US tariffs and for months, Government ministers have been hinting that the implementation of the legislation was likely to be delayed. [ Should plans to put cancer warning labels on alcohol go ahead? A doctor and a wine expert debate Opens in new window ] On Tuesday morning Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said he was awaiting a Cabinet decision on the status of the labelling plans. He has been supportive of a delay in the measure and spoke of the 'enormous amount of regulation in this country'. He said regulation must be 'proportionate', that alcohol consumption in Ireland is on a 'downward trajectory' and 'we have to protect our indigenous sector.' He said some distillers have ceased or reduced production and he highlighted the 'pressure' of labelling as an additional cost to business. Mr Burke said his view is Ireland should 'move with Europe' and 'do it together if a point in time in the future' He added: 'acting unilaterally on a sector that is vulnerable through tariffs is not a good idea. He continued: ''I look at the prism of protecting jobs' adding: 'I think as a country we really need to get a handle on reducing red tape'. Taoiseach Micheál Martin separately suggested Irish moves in this area would be in 'concert with the European Union.' He said: 'alcohol does cause cancer' and 'that's an important point to acknowledge.' Mr Martin also said the majority of measures in the Public Health Alcohol Act that includes the plans for the labels, have been implemented and there has been 'a very effective implementation on the broader act in respect of public health.' He said Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill would bring clarity on the labelling issue. Under the law, once implemented, all bottles, cans and other containers must contain a back label stating: drinking alcohol causes liver disease; there is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers; a warning symbol for drinking when pregnant; and the website The label should also state the quantity of grams of alcohol and the energy value expressed in kilojoules and kilocalories. The label must be at least 60mm wide and not less than 30mm high surrounded by a black border.
The Sun
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I tried ‘dangerous' Buzzballz cocktails loved by Gen Z – just a couple would leave me on the floor
IN a kaleidoscope of colours and fruity flavours, BuzzBallz are fast becoming the alcoholic tipple of choice among Gen Z this summer. But experts warn the Instagram -worthy orbs are misleadingly boozy, with staggeringly high sugar and carb contents. The snazzy cans are small enough to fit into a handbag and available for as little as £2.99. However, nutritionist Rachael Gray warned the premixed beverages were 'the worst' drinks for your health that she had ever come across. She told the Sun on Sunday: 'Drinks like these affect the body in all kinds of ways. 'They cause inflammation and dehydration and over time will damage the liver and eyesight. 'They look so appealing. 'You can see how they would appeal to children, which is really worrying. 'The carb and sugar content of these drinks is extremely high. 'For such a small drink, they are very alcoholic. 'That's dangerous as, if you are young, you might not think to look at the volume. 'They don't even look particularly like they're alcoholic. Brits reveal their most underrated parts of a night out with pals 'They could easily be mistaken for an energy drink.' BuzzBallz contain up to 288 calories and 26g of sugar per 200ml drink, making them among the least healthy on the market. They are also a boozy 13.5 per cent proof — as strong as wine. The sugar content, however, means it is much easier to knock them back. There are seven flavours, including Tequila 'Rita, Chili Mango and Pornstar Martini, and their unique packaging makes them stand out on the supermarket shelves. The cans are available at mainstream shops such as Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Asda, but are cheapest at Aldi, where they cost £2.99. In the past year, sales have tripled due to their affordability and social media presence. TikTok is full of 'before and after' videos demonstrating their effects. One woman, who sank just two of the sugary blends, revealed: 'I have never had a hangover like that in my life. 'I was paralytic.' Another claimed: 'I felt like I'd just drank gasoline.' And a third said: 'I actually don't think those are fit for human consumption.' Snow globe Teacher Merrilee Kick, from Texas, came up with the idea for BuzzBallz while marking papers by the pool in the mid-2000s. It was a baking hot day and the 62-year-old fancied a cocktail in a plastic container rather than a fragile glass. Her inspirations for the eye-catching cans were the spherical shape of a snow globe and some tennis balls. Merrilee, who has two adult sons, got a loan to finance her business and enlisted the help of her family to launch it. BuzzBallz are now sold across the world and, in April 2024, the company was sold for around $500million. Here, we taste test some of the flavours and hear from two women with very different opinions on the tipple. Tequila 'Rita (18g sugar, 219 cals) 'This citrusy cocktail tastes like a toxic Sprite. It's refreshing, but gulp it too fast and it's in danger of taking the skin off the roof of your mouth.' Strawberry 'Rita (18g sugar, 220 cals) 'I could easily neck the entire drink in less than a minute. It's sweet, potent and delicious. A few more of these and I will be on the floor' Choc Tease (26g sugar, 279 cals) 'This tastes like a slightly low-rent Baileys. It's creamy, sweet and incredibly boozy. I just want to pour it into an ice-filled tumbler.' 'PERFECT FOR BEACH AND FESTIVALS' COLLEGE student Izzy Lopez, 19, reckons BuzzBallz are the perfect boozy refresher on long, hot days. Izzy, who lives in Ealing, London, and is studying IT, said: 'BuzzBallz are the must-have drink for Gen Z this summer, especially at festivals and on beach holidays, and they're easy to carry and drink. 6 'The containers and colours are cool and you can pop them in your bag and enjoy one when you're out. 'I like the sweet taste and in some shops they're less than £3. 'It's a cool cost-of-living-beating cocktail for Gen Z. 'All my friends are talking about them. 'They evoke a sense of fun, they're great as a party starter and you can keep the balls afterwards for candle holders. 'They don't taste like alcohol but still give you a fun party buzz. 'My mum loves them too. 'We have a giggle because we're not really drinking we're 'buzzing'.' 'JUST TWO DRINKS KNOCKED ME OUT' MUM-OF-TWO Cindy Powell knows all too well just how dangerous the drinks can be. The 22-year-old said she was 'knocked out' by just a couple of cans at a family party. 6 She explained: 'Just two hit me hard almost immediately. 'I was knocked out and slept for hours. 'What stunned me was how fast I felt the effect – I hadn't even been tired. 'I'm not a big drinker, but two small drinks having such a dramatic impact was scary. 'I woke up feeling dizzy and disoriented. 'Don't be fooled by fun names like Strawberry 'Rita or one looking like chocolate milk. 'Just because they look like toys, you still need to be safe. 'When I found out they had over 13 per cent alcohol, I was shocked.'
South China Morning Post
19-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
UK Scotch whisky makers cheer news of FTA with India, eye expansion
Global Scotch whisky producers are eagerly eyeing India after New Delhi and London concluded their long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA), as lower tariffs are set to propel sales in the world's largest market for the popular alcoholic drink. Finalised last month, the deal will lead to India halving its levy on British whiskies and gin from 150 per cent to 75 per cent starting from the middle of next year, and reducing it further to 40 per cent over a 10-year period. While this could make imported Scotch whiskies much more accessible to Indian consumers, analysts and industry insiders say foreign distillers will still face stiff competition from increasingly sophisticated domestic brands. India currently accounts for just three per cent of global Scotch whisky sales by volume, despite being the top export destination for the product. The UK is India's largest whisky trading partner both in value and volume terms, according to Indian government data. 'India's alcoholic drinks market is at a crossroads, combining strong demand for home-grown products and rising interest in high-quality imported premium products,' said Sanjit Padhi, chief executive of the International Spirits and Wines Association of India. The new FTA could expand consumer choices, enhance quality benchmarks, and create a level-playing field benefitting domestic and international players, Padhi said.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Iconic fizzy drink brand to launch alcoholic cans for the first time
AN iconic fizzy drink brand is launching a range of alcoholic drinks for the first time. Ka is known for its fruity, Caribbean-inspired soft drinks, often found in supermarkets and corner shops. 1 It's now bringing out four new alcoholic mixed drinks which are sure to be popular over the summer. They will come in the flavours Black Grape, Fruit Punch, Pineapple and Karnival Twist. Each of the drinks will have Ka's popular flavours mixed with Caribbean white rum. The 330ml cans will be sold for £2.79. The soft drink version is usually sold for between 60p and 80p. They launched in Wholesalers first and will be landing on convenience store shelves next week. AG Barr, which owns Ka, said the new range was aimed at shoppers"looking to spontaneously grab drinks - whether en route to a social occasion, to be enjoyed at the park, or at a festival with friends". And with the weather heating up ahead of this weekend, it's perfect timing. Forecasters have said parts of southern England, including London, could see temperatures reach 28C on Friday evening. Numerous brands have been racing to bring out new alcoholic canned drinks for the summer. Shoppers have been going wild for the latest collection of tinnies from M&S, which include favourites such as mojitos, pina coladas and cosmos. Why Guinness tastes better in Ireland There's also a mint and elderflower Hugo Spritz and a Limoncello Spritz. Meanwhile Lidl is selling pre-mixed cocktail cans for the bargain price of 89p. They include flavours like the Bitterol Spritz, Strawberry Daiquiri, Mojito and Pina Colada. Rival Aldi brought out a similar range starting at 99p. Their tinnies include Hard Seltzers and Spicy Margaritas. How to save money buying alcohol Alcohol can be pricey if you're planning a party or hosting an event but there are ways to cut costs. It's always important to drink responsibly, here, Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements share some tips on getting booze for the best price. Stocking up can mean big savings on drinks, especially if you want to buy wine or fizz. The big supermarkets regularly offer discounts of 25% when you buy six or more bottles of wine. The promotions typically run in the lead up to occasions such as Bank Holidays, Christmas and Easter. If you know you are going to need booze later in the year, it can be worth acting when you see offers. Before buying your preferred drink make sure you shop around to find the best price – you can use a comparison site such as or Don't forget that loyalty cards can unlock better savings so make sure you factor that in too. If you like your plonk, wine clubs can also be a good way to save money and try new varieties. You'll usually have to pay a membership fee in return for cheaper price so work out if you will be buying enough to make the one off cost worthwhile.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I tested flavoured ciders… fresh-flavoured £2.75 winner tasted just like a can of Lilt and would be great with cheese
WITH a whopping 324million pints sold last year, cider is now the most popular alcoholic drink after beer. And it's not just classic versions we are enjoying – because premium fruit-flavoured options account for 72 per cent of orders. As pub gardens gear up to supply us with refreshing summer pints, Alex James – Blur bassist, Big Feastival founder and now cider maker – gives his verdict on an array of the flavoured tipples. Rattler Pineapple Cider 500ml, 3.4%, £2.75, Tesco 6 IT'S perfectly possible to make cider from just apples and nothing else. Apple skins carry natural yeasts that will cause juice left in a barrel over the winter to ferment and magically transmogrify into cider by spring. This minor miracle has always been more than enough for me, but I can see the appeal of adding exotic flavourings to spice things up a bit. Unsurprisingly, this one tastes a bit like Lilt. It's full of fresh pineapple flavour and would be great, Hawaiian pizza-style, with cheese on toast. Also makes me think I'd love to try an alcoholic drink made purely from fermented pineapple juice. That really would be something. RATING: 5/5 Rekorderlig is launching a new cider cocktail range Alska Strawberry & Lime Cider 500ml, 3.4%, £1.99, Aldi 6 A SWEDISH cider with an eye-catching label bursting with colourful illustrations of fresh strawberries and limes. It's almost like they're tricking you into thinking you're buying a yoghurt of some kind, rather than a bottle of booze with added sugar and flavourings. It must be hard enough growing apples and strawberries in Sweden, let alone limes, but we'll skim over that. It tastes exactly like a 'red' flavour freeze pop. It's too overwhelmingly sugary to pair with a lot of foods or other drinks. But pouring it over ice would dampen the sweetness and make it a decent lunchtime aperitif. On a boiling hot day, upgrading from a crafty Mr Freeze to one of these in the garden wouldn't be a bad idea. Crumpton Oaks Strawberry Fruity Cider 568ml, 4%, £1.50, Tesco A MIGHTY, pint-sized can of cider. It's very pink and very sweet and it's among the stronger offerings in today's field at four per cent alcohol by volume. It tastes of strawberry flavour rather than actual strawberries, but is by far the cheapest of the bunch. If it's value you're after, you could easily add a shot of strawberry syrup to your favourite cider, but if it's strawberry flavour convenience that you want, then look no further. Syrupy sweet, so might be nice as a pudding wine alternative. Try it with ice cream or apple pie, or maybe even delivered lovingly to the wife while she's halfway through a long soak in a bubble bath. RATING: 3/5 Old Mout Kiwi & Lime Cider 500ml, 4%, £2.38, Asda 6 IF the idea was to train your children in how to drink alcohol, this would be the perfect way to get them started. It might be an alcoholic tipple, but it smells like a bag of Jelly Babies and tastes like an exotic species of Fanta. I have to say I rather liked it. I can see it going down really well at a barbecue as it's full of fizz, with enough zest and fruitiness to square up to the traditional burned sausage. That said, I've also got a feeling you could get something very similar for much cheaper by adding a shot of already-open booze, like vodka, to a glass of your favourite fruity fizzy pop. Pulpt Melba (White Peach & Scottish Raspberry) Cider 500ml, 3.4%, £2.65, Tesco 6 THIS cider reminds me of the rhubarb-and-custard chews I used to enjoy on my Saturday morning trips to the sweet shop as a child. It looks like a glass of plain old cider but then, when you try it, you get a good biff of raspberry flavour. Any peachiness was harder to detect. As with most of these cheap and cheerful drinks, I think older teens would love it, but whatever your age, it would work best served as cold as possible on a swelteringly hot sunny day. You're basically getting a two-for-one alcohol and sugar hit. It would also ride very nicely alongside a pork pie or a Scotch egg at a picnic. Woodgate Blood Orange Cider (4x440ml), 3.4%, £2.99, Lidl 6 THERE are so many things I like about cider. Apple orchards are enchanting places – the Biblical Garden of Eden, which was a paradise, was an orchard, after all. Even relatively recently, cider was used as currency to pay farm workers, so whoever made the best cider got the best workers. And it helped lead to a revolution in British glass manufacturing that ultimately shaped the drinking habits of the entire world. This blood-orange tinned tipple actually tastes nothing like cider at all. Instead, it looks, tastes and smells just like a famous orange fizzy drink. fast food smash.
