Latest news with #Chinola
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Why Jim Beam, Deep Eddy, & More Are Betting On This Tropical Favor
Liquor brands and bars are finding inspiration from the tropics for their next big flavor bet. Ahead of the summer season when popularity swells for sweeter libations, Deep Eddy vodka, Hornitos tequila, and Chinola liqueur are among the major brands that have launched new pineapple expressions. 'Everything tropical right now is doing incredibly well,' Noah Winterer, VP of marketing at Deep Eddy owner Heaven Hills Brands, tells me during a virtual interview. Suntory Global Spirits, the liquor giant behind Jim Beam and Hornitos, points to data from research firm NIQ that shows pineapple-flavored liquor sales leapt 30% in 2024 from the prior year across U.S. liquor and convenience store channels. For Jim Beam, which also sells honey, apple and other flavored whiskeys, the pineapple launch is the first new expression in four years. Flavored whiskeys tend to pull in younger drinkers, who are also more ethnically diverse. They also lure consumers who aren't loyal to traditional bourbons. Pineapple also made sense for Hornitos, given that it is the go-to mixer for 44% of tequila drinkers, according to Jing Mertoglu, VP of insights and analytics at Suntory Global Spirits. 'We're very comfortable not to be the first to market, but we were beginning to see that there's a lot of tropical escapism,' Mertoglu tells me during a phone interview. 'It's a very fun, versatile flavor.' Similar to Suntory Global Spirits, Talkhouse Encore had kept a close eye on pineapple. It was on the ready-to-drink canned cocktail brand's radar since Talkhouse first started formulation development back in 2021. 'Getting the formulation down took time, but the bigger question was whether consumers would resonate with the flavor,' says Rudy Honerkamp, founder and CEO of Talkhouse Encore, in an emailed statement. Honerkamp says the brand reached out to restaurants and bars to gain industry insights and validate their bullish thesis on the tropical flavor. Through those conversations, they learned that pineapple was consistently ranked in the top three most-requested flavors. Pineapple cocktails are also getting a star position on bar menus, including at The Bedford Stone Street bar in downtown Manhattan. 'They are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants that help you have a boost of energy with great sour/sweet citrus flavors,' José María Dondé, beverage manager and head mixologist at The Bedford, says in an email. 'It's also a tropical fruit that makes you feel like you are laying down at the beach.' His current drink lineup includes a cocktail called the Ondatrópica, which is inspired by the tepache, a traditional fermented pineapple drink that's popular in Mexico. There's also the Prime Meridian, a concoction that Dondé bills as a 'Piña Colada Vesper.' The piña colada is a key cocktail that Deep Eddy has been promoting for the company's new pineapple flavor, which launched in February. Deep Eddy Pineapple is the vodka brand's first new flavor since lime debuted more than four years ago. Winterer says the innovation process requires extra thoughtfulness because of Deep Eddy's commitment to using real pineapple and all natural ingredients and avoiding high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. 'It is like you were taking a bite out of a juicy, ripe pineapple,' says Winterer, regarding the focus of the new flavor. He says bartenders have been pairing Deep Eddy's vodka with habanero or jalapeno, as the combination of sweet and spice has been increasingly on trend with drinkers. All of Deep Eddy's vodkas are also intended to be extremely versatile, intended to blend in with complex cocktails, simpler drinks like a vodka soda and as a shot. Deep Eddy has eight expressions on the shelf today, including grapefruit, orange, cranberry and the top-selling lemon. But pineapple helped the brand address a big gap in the existing portfolio. 'A lot of our big SKUs that we currently have, they are really citric and really tart,' says Winterer. 'Even though pineapple is going to have that acid, there is more of a sweetness there that comes naturally from the pineapple that is delicious. And it is certainly on trend with consumers.'
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Freshen Up Your Summer Cocktails With 5 Global Liqueurs
Italicus Spritz made with Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto. Liqueurs tend to carry a bad rap. This is likely because some of the most mainstream liqueur labels present a saccharine profile that can easily overwhelm a cocktail just by adding one extra drop, like Amaretto or Baileys Irish Cream. Contemporary liqueurs, however, tend to offer a lighter flavor thanks to their more natural infusions of herbs and fresh fruit. Though they taste lighter, they are still classified as liqueurs by fulfilling the category's defining quality of at least 100 grams per liter of sugar and minimum alcoholic strength of 15% alcohol by volume (ABV). The current demand for low ABV drinks positions liqueurs a trendy alternative to other distilled spirits like vodka (average 40% ABV) or tequila (average 50% ABV); instead of mixing up a vodka soda, consumers can swap in a liqueur for a lower ABV and more refreshing libation. Liqueurs also add complexity to drinks, for example Grand Marnier, a blend of cognac and bitter orange-flavored liqueur that dates back to 1880, evolved to become a staple ingredient for margaritas. The orange citrus complements the lime juice of margarita's base while the cognac adds depth. Whether you prefer a classic liqueur or one of the newer styles, liqueurs are a bar cart essential; below, discover five of the best liqueurs to get started. Chinola Pineapple Liqueur Known for its signature passion fruit liqueur (when it launched in 2014, it was the world's first shelf-stable fresh fruit liqueur), Chinola recently debuted its newest flavor—Chinola Pineapple. This liqueur is handcrafted with fresh MD2 pineapples, one of the Dominican Republic's most renowned varieties for its ripeness and sweetness. The new liqueur is bottled at 21% ABV and uses neutral cane spirit to balance the profile of bold yet fresh flavor. Mix up Chinola Pineapple and soda water to see how liqueurs can make home bartending effortless (and for a quick, easy, low ABV cocktail). Bottled at 16.5% ABV, Chambord Liqueur is a black raspberry liqueur that's earned its spot on the bar for the nuances it adds to a myriad of cocktails, including two drinks that have become the brand's signature drinks: the Chambord Royale (4 parts Champagne, 1/2 part Chambord) and French Martini (2 part pineapple juice, 1.5 part vodka, 1/2 part Chambord). Crafted in Cheverny, France, Chambord extracts its base flavor from whole raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants before blending with cognac, Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, honey and aromatic spice for an extremely layered but poised profile. Plus, the regal, orb-shaped bottle is a whimsical addition to any bar cart. St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur Launched in 2007, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur (20% ABV) surged to its highest popularity in the last two years as the spritz craze ran rampant. The French liqueur, produced from fresh elderflowers — at least 1,000 blossoms per bottle that are handpicked once a year in the late spring — is the star ingredient in a Hugo Spritz (1.5 oz St-Germain, 2 oz Prosecco, 2 oz soda water, 8 to 10 mint leaves). This bright, bubbly beverage rocketed to fame as an alternative to the Aperol Spritz and is a beloved rendition in northern Italy. In 2016, Italian bartender Giuseppe Gallo revived the forgotten category of Rosolio, which during its 18th century heyday under the King of Savoia was renowned as 'aperitivo di corte', or the noble aperitif. He used a family recipe to create Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, a unique Italian bergamot liqueur bottled at 20% ABV. Gallo sources this citrus (likening an orange in size but coloring closer to a lime) from a UNESCO protected area in Calabria where the Indicazione Geografica Protetta I.G.P. Bergamot is monikered as 'the green gold' of the region. They recommend enjoying the citrus-floral palate in an Italicus Spritz with lots of ice (1 part Italicus, 2 parts Prosecco, 3 olives to garnish) as the Prosecco allows the botanicals to shine and the olives bring a savory note to balance the floral notes. For an even purer way to enjoy the delicate layers of Italicus, swap out the sparkling wine for soda water and you might be more apt to catch its aromas of rose and lavender. Based in Cognac, France, Grand Marnier begins with oranges handpicked at their aromatic peak (when they're still green) of which the peels are dried in the sun to preserve the flavor and essential oil of the citrus. The dried peels are then dissected for the zest to be macerated (expel the oils) over eight days; the detailed and slow distillation is what accounts for the concentrated bitter orange flavor of this liqueur. Aside from margaritas, Grand Marnier offers nuance to a variety of cocktails including a riff on Tom Collins by using the bitter orange liqueur in place of a gin base for a fresher option (1.5 oz Grand Marnier, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 barspoons simple syrup, 3 oz soda water).
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Award-Winning Chinola® Fresh Fruit Liqueurs Unveils Its Third Premium Flavor: Pineapple
This release marks another milestone in Chinola's® continued growth in the liqueur category NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs is excited to unveil the latest addition to its collection: Chinola® Pineapple Liqueur. This handcrafted liqueur is artfully made with the prized MD2 pineapple, one of the Dominican Republic's most cherished varieties. As the third release in the portfolio, Chinola® Pineapple Liqueur reinforces the brand's mission to celebrate and share the vibrant tropical flavors of the Dominican Republic with cocktail professionals and enthusiasts alike. Chinola's® story began in 2014, named after the local word for passion fruit. Following the success of Chinola® Passion Fruit and the 2024 debut of Chinola® Mango Liqueur, the brand is thrilled to bring pineapple into the fold. "We've always been driven by a passion to create liqueurs that reflect the beauty and authenticity of the Dominican Republic. The Chinola® Pineapple brings that vision to life with the bold, tropical intensity of MD2 pineapple, which is renowned for its golden sweetness and rich, full-bodied flavor," says Founder and CEO Andrew Merinoff. Like its predecessors, Chinola® Pineapple is a natural, low-ABV liqueur made with 100% fresh fruit and a neutral cane spirit, free from artificial additives. Rooted in the Samaná Peninsula and crafted in the Dominican Republic, it reflects Chinola's commitment to quality, authenticity, and sustainable practices from farm to bottle. From regenerative farming techniques like polycropping, organic fertilizers, and biochar soil enrichment, to embracing beekeeping and repurposing byproducts into oils, soaps, and compost, every step is thoughtfully designed to reduce impact and give back. The farm, built using reclaimed materials, also serves as a hub for community development, supporting infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water wells in the Samaná region. Locally sourcing ingredients and using an off-grid, bioenergy-powered distillery further helps minimize Chinola's carbon footprint from farm to bottle. These mindful farming practices not only preserve the environment, they also enhance the vibrant, naturally rich flavor of the liqueurs. Chinola® Pineapple offers a bold, fresh flavor and bright, natural aromas, crafted with 100% fresh pineapple juice and a smooth neutral cane spirit. Its golden hue mirrors the pineapples grown in Monte Plata and Sánchez Ramírez, where they're harvested each spring. Distilled and bottled in the Dominican Republic at 21% ABV, this new expression continues the brand's mission to spotlight the Dominican Republic's tropical flavors. Rooted in the same production practices as the original passion fruit liqueur, Chinola® Pineapple delivers a naturally rich, balanced taste that elevates every sip. "Research and development is always happening behind the scenes, so as we looked at the fruits that truly define the Caribbean, pineapple stood out. It's not just a flavor, it's a symbol of the region's agricultural heritage," says Merinoff. "Many would have walked away when they realized how challenging it is to maintain a fresh pineapple flavor. It takes years of research and an unwavering commitment to quality to create a liqueur that actually tastes like the fruit itself. But, from inception we set out to fill a void behind the bar, creating a sustainable, high-quality way to bring authentic fruit flavors into cocktails." Starting April 14th, 2025, the Chinola® Pineapple Liqueur ($29.99, 750ml) will be available in 40 United States markets, country-wide from Massachusetts to Florida and all the way out to Hawaii. To find out more about the products, recipes and where to find Chinola go to To get it shipped right to your door, visit About Chinola® Fresh Fruit Liqueurs After discovering the magic of the sacred Dominican passion fruit, Chinola's journey began in 2014 with the creation of the world's first vine to bottle fresh fruit liqueur that's shelf stable. Chinola was born from a creative collaboration of hospitality experts, spirit industry professionals, and a multi-generational master blender. Locally referred to as chinola (chee-noh-lah), their dream was to create an old-world style liqueur that embodied the taste and aroma of fresh passion fruit. Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur has gone on to become an award winning addition to the world's best bars and a staple in home bars. Chinola Passion Fruit, Mango and Pineapple Liqueur are natural, low ABV liqueurs made from 100% fresh fruit and neutral cane spirit with no artificial additives. With origins in the Samaná Peninsula, Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs are produced in the Dominican Republic with a commitment to authenticity and eco-friendly practices from farm to bottle. Chinola® Passion Fruit and Mango are available worldwide across five continents, including Australia, Asia, and Europe—where they're sold in 12 countries, with the UK as a core market—along with 40+ U.S. states and the Caribbean. Chinola® Pineapple is exclusive to the U.S. until 2026. Follow the journey by visiting the website and follow them on Facebook @ChinolaOfficialPage and @Chinola on Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs Sign in to access your portfolio
