Publicans say celebrity-backed brands have helped the take-up of a ‘slightly lighter alternative’ to the classic G&T
A crisp gin and tonic has for many British people been just the ticket as the weather gets warmer, but new consumer data shows tequila is overtaking gin for the first time as a summer tipple of choice.
Spicy margaritas, which are a piquant twist on the classic tequila, lime and triple sec cocktail, have taken the UK by a storm in recent years and now the country is firmly hooked on tequila, with many ordering a tequila and tonic instead of a G&T.
The Marks & Spencer summer trends report found that tequila is the retailer’s hottest spirit. It reads: “Tequila is having a major glow-up, with sales soaring 50% year on year and margarita sales jumping a huge 75%, making it one of the hottest spirits of the summer.”
It is the 40th anniversary of the high street canned cocktail; M&S launched its “gin in a tin” in 1986. This year, the store is launching a canned tequila and tonic to “ride the wave” of its popularity. It will also be launching, for the first time this summer, a range of high-end “sipping tequilas”.
