Last year, 23 Restaurant Services acquired and added Don the Beachcomber restaurant brand to its portfolio, now in honour of Donn’s birthday on 22 February, the Tampa, Florida-based hospitality company is moving forward with an expansive growth strategy for its new tiki-themed restaurant brand.

The billionaire founder of Microsoft has bought a 3.76% stake in Dutch drinks giant Heineken Holding NV, although Gates has previously said he was “not a big beer drinker”.

The global mezcal market is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2031, new data by Straits Research has revealed.

Producers of the always tricky-to-make wines are facing further challenges as the climate heats up, finds Oli Dodd.

From the bartenders’ handshake cocktail to being sold in cans in supermarkets and restaurants, the negroni continues to dominate menus across the globe. Millie Milliken takes a closer look at the evolution of the Italian classic.

Online sales of alcoholic beverages in 16 key global markets will increase by 66% over the next five years, according to projections from IWSR.

Sometimes accidents breed innovation. In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by chance, having thrown away a bacteria sample he thought was spent.

The sales of armagnac blends have increased due to the added exposure brought to them by the pandemic according to Bordeneuve Châteaux & Collections.

According to the Champagne Bureau USA, the exports of champagne to the US fell almost 19% in 2020 year-on-year.

Bombay Sapphire has announced that all of its 10 botanical ingredients will be certified sustainable in 2021.

UK gin exports decreased by £100 million in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new figures from HM Revenue & Customs.

Alcohol free wine brand Eisberg is set to be acquired by Schloss Wachenheim AG (SWA) from Halewood Artisanal Spirits.

Hard seltzer brand White Claw has launched its Mango variety in the UK through supermarket chain Tesco.

Port sales in the UK saw impressive category growth throughout 2020, with the largest volume of off-trade sales since 2015.

Turkey has increased its special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages by 17.1%, according to Istanbul daily Habertürk.

UK retailers enjoyed soaring sales of Champagne and sparkling wine as the country basked in warm weather during the four weeks to September 5.

The first book dedicated to Canadian whisky, according tohe publishers. So, not before time then.

Accolade Wines has unveiled a new look for its Echo Falls Californian wine brand in key European markets, including the UK, Netherlands and Spain.

A man has been found dead at the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland. According to several newspapers,  Brian Ettles died in a 16ft washback.

Budvar has reported record export results for 2011.

Following a collaboration with whisky bloggers and journalists, Master of Malt has released St Isidore.

AXA Millesimes has released the 2009 Sauternes, Les Lions de Suduiraut, to global markets.

Online spirits merchant Master of Malt has extended its line of yesteryear spirit-based expressions with the launch of Proprietary Barley Spirit Drink.

Deep discounting on wine by UK retailers may be having less impact on consumer behaviour, according to a new report

Beam Global is to launch Teacher’s Origin in global travel retail. The product has already launched in India, where, according to Beam, Teacher’s is the number one blended whisky.

Premiumisation is driving UK spirits volume and value growth in the on and off-trade, according to findings by First Drinks.

Ardbeg has announced the September launch of its new limited release, Ardbeg Alligator, to Europe, Asia and the US.

Brazilians are increasingly turning to wine as their beverage of choice, according to consumer research published by Wine Intelligence.

Diageo intends to grow Captain Morgan into a "global mega brand", according to Ed Pilkington, the group’s global category director for vodka, gin and rum.

A London speakeasy has been named the best bar in the world, according to an industry poll.

Ukrainian brand Nemiroff has begun producing vodka in the Republic of Belarus.

The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) has announced that the ‘Napa Valley’ name has been granted Geographic Indication Status (GI) in India.

Russia: Moscow is to ban sales of vodka between 10pm and 10am, according to reports.

US popularity and universal appeal have kept the Irish whiskey market buoyant, according to business analyst Datamonitor.

Red is the most popular choice of wine for Asian women, according to new research.

Nine in ten parliamentary candidates in winnable seats believe pubs are an important part of the British way of life and more should be done to support them, according to a new poll released today by ComRes on behalf of the British Beer & Pub Association.

UK: Bacardi has launched a new advertising campaign, called ‘Island’. The campaign is part of a £20million marketing spend.