Schweppes and Britvic mixers – still lagging behind. Despite their efforts to sharpen up their act, the big players in the mixer market, Britvic & Schweppes are still playing catch up. And they’re still not really competing either yet.
As has been well documented in many articles, FeverTree has become a sensation. It proudly boasts that it is the top selling brand in the Top 50 bars in the World (as ranked by Drinks International.)
Their market capitalisation in 2018 was £ 2.55 billion. Their market share of the UK mixers market was 45%.
But not that many years ago a spirit and mix usually meant either Schweppes or Britvic. But why have they been so slow to respond to the competition coming from the smaller, craft-style producers? I really don’t know and as a businessman I’d be very interested to know more. There have been so many new gins launched since 2014 and it seems incredible that the mixers haven’t been there to accompany them. Strange, right?
But at least they’re on the march now Britvic and Schweppes. So this is good right? Well, no, not really. They’re ‘rushing’ to get some new products out. But the word on the street is that they’re not that good. Which is a great shame. A missed opportunity.
Schweppes
Schweppes launch the 1783 range of mixers to compete head-on with Fevertree. Flavours include cucumber and salty lemon. I notice that in 2019, they dropped the brand after just 2 years.
Britvic
The ‘new’ London Essence range of mixers is in fact a revived old brand name from the late1800s. But Britvic has brought it back. Grapefruit & Rosemary Tonic and their Bitter Orange & Elderflower Tonic. Sounds lovely. I have some nice gins, so it should be easy making up some winning combinations, shouldn’t it?
Launched by the team at WiseHead Productions (an incubator arm of Britvic), the tonics were all designed with health conscience drinkers in mind, clocking in at under 20 calories per 100ml.
I must admit I haven’t tried all of this range but those I did try were a bit underwhelming. The flavours don’t come through as strongly as I anticipated. So, overall I feel they don’t deliver on the promise. Nothing wrong with them though.
What tonics would I recommend?
Apart from the aforementioned FeverTree which I believe deserves the credit for breaking the stranglehold in the market, my favourite mixer ranges by far are Double Dutch and Peter Spanton. Double Dutch was established by 2 Dutch twin sisters (they’re Belgian actually, but let’s not let the facts get in the way of a good story!) The cucumber and watermelon is a particularly fine choice for a summer G&T. The cranberry and ginger is also nice if you’re looking for something more wintery.
Peter Spanton mixers
The Peter Spanton brand was established by Peter a recovering alcoholic. Incidentally, he is the long-term partner of Janet Street-Porter. Not just drink facts you get here!
What I most like about this brand is that they are bold and go for different flavour profiles which no-one else makes. They’re all great and include
- Lemongrass tonic
- Cardamom tonic
- and even chocolate tonic (now with mint)
- Grapefruit soda (to make your Palomas)
Postscript
Sadly the Peter Spanton brand didn’t survive CoVid and lockdown. So many products and brands disappeared during this cataclysmic time for the hospitality industry.
What tonic should I choose for my G&T?
Chances are, that if you’re reading this, you already have your views on what you like and don’t like. So I suggest, try a few different products. Don’t go for those with supermarket own brand low prices. Because as the Fevertree brand explains “if 3/4 of your gin & tonic is going to be the mixer, why not choose the best?” I agree. If you are drinking or trying a new gin which has cost you £30 or so, what’s the point diluting it with a bottle of mixer for around £1 – just because you can?
Chin, chin!