Aperol and Campari top London cocktail lists
Aperol Spritz and Negroni were the second and third most popular cocktails for “high-end” consumers in London this summer, while Campari was the “most used” brand on drinks menus, new CGA research has found.
In conjunction with 2016 Italian Cuisine Week in the UK, Campari UK examined the latest trend for the “aperitivo moment” using research from the CGA London Influencer Report 2016.
The data revealed an “exceptional” increase in the demand for bitter drinks, with Aperol Spritz and Negroni spearheading the aperitif trend as the second and third most popular drinks, behind the gin and tonic.
Out of 100 of London’s “most influential bars”, Campari is the most used brand on the menus – maintaining the lead it established in 2013.
Additionally, Aperol is the most distributed liqueur and speciality brand in these “influencer outlets”, followed by Campari at number two.
Pietro Mattioni, managing director of Campari UK, said: “The aperitivo moment is a ritual, where friends gather to toast with Aperol Spritz or a Negroni with nibbles at the end of the working day.
“It’s a pleasure to see this traditional Italian celebration continuing to grow as a trend in London, a city renowned as one of the world’s most forward-thinking cocktail destinations.
“Our ambition? Turning the English pre-dinner moment orange and red.”
The CGA Peach BrandTrack Report 2016 revealed the trend for dining out in the UK is continuing to grow, with a 4% annual increase, while drinking out has seen a small decline of 1%.
Millennials are driving the movement, with 61% of the 19-34-year-olds surveyed eating out once a week.
Campari UK celebrated the rise of the Aperitivo on 22 November at the company’s UK head office at The Shard.
The celebration culminated with Loris Contro, Italian brands ambassador for Campari UK, preparing a “vintage” Negroni with bottles of Campari, Vermouth Rosso and Gin from 1960 to honour the heritage of the cocktail.
