The UK’s CBD market is now the second-largest in the world and following a period of regulatory red tape, the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry claims that the UK now has the most evolved regulatory framework for CBD in the world. Coupled with a growing consumer trend away from alcohol, CBD-infused functional beverages could be set to explode this year.

Mancino Vermouth has been acquired by The Lucano Group for an undisclosed fee and joins a wide portfolio of premium spirits brands.

Swift Soho has launched a new cocktail menu called Legends drawing inspiration from famous drinkers throughout history.

Ryan Chetiyawardana, known as Mr Lyan, and his team is due to open a new venue in East London called Seed Library in early 2022.

French spirits producer, Maison Ferrand, has built a new distillery at the Château de Bonbonnet to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its Citadelle Gin brand.

London-based Lyaness, the bar created by Ryan Chetiyawardana and the team behind the former world’s best bar, Dandelyan, has launched its third menu.

Guinness has announced the limited first release in the UK of a draught tap for homes this Christmas.

Renowned New York bar The Dead Rabbit will take over the Lapidus Bar at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Miami for the whole of December.

South African cream liqueur brand Amarula has launched a vegan variant to serve the growing proportion of consumers that are adopting plant-based diets.

Demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) products continues to grow amongst consumers, with the category expected to account for 8% of total beverage alcohol by 2025 according to a new report from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Indevin New Zealand has completed the purchase of 100% of the shares of Villa Maria Estate for an undisclosed fee.

The American Bar at The Savoy in London will reopen for business on October 4.

The sheer scale of China’s population and geography is almost incomprehensible to the western world and second-tier city Shenzhen, located in the south east, is being bookmarked as a potential future giant of the bar trade.

UK craft brewer Vocation has invested in a redesign for its entire range.

Pernod Ricard UK has highlighted the consumer trends accelerated by the last 18 months and urged retailers to “capitalise on the huge opportunity within premium spirits and wines this Christmas”.

Glenmorangie single malt has opened the Lighthouse, the brand’s first innovation distillery created for experimentation.

Absolut Vodka has announced a new bottle, the brand’s biggest design update since 1979.

The Port of Leith Distillery company has launched a new white port alongside its Portuguese partner Martha’s Wines.

Heineken has launched its wheat beer brand, Edelweiss, into new markets across Asia-Pacific alongside a new TV ad campaign.

Camden Town Brewery has partnered with Marmite to launch a new limited edition beer which uses the popular spread in its brewing process.

It has been a sobering quarter for hard seltzers. Sales of the canned RTD that disrupted the US alcohol market when it burst on to the scene in 2016 have finally stalled.

The Old Man Singapore has launched a new “v3” menu inspired by the life experiences of Ernest Hemingway as well as the women he loved.

Distil, owner of premium drinks brands including RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Trøve Botanical Spirit, has announced a £5m investment into the new Ardgowan Distillery in Inverkip, Scotland.

Four Seasons Hong Kong has opened a new bar called ARGO which aims to push innovation and become a staple among the local bar scene.

Marlborough-based wine producer Indevin has signed a conditional agreement to buy Villa Maria from parent company FFWL.

It’s been a sobering quarter for hard seltzer. Sales of the canned RTD that disrupted the US alcohol market when it burst onto the scene in 2016, have for the first time, stalled.

Back in 2002 celebrity chef Jamie Oliver launched Fifteen, a restaurant made up of a team of trainee chefs from underprivileged backgrounds.

Israeli firm Ripples has launched a next-generation hardware device that prints selfies and logos on the tops of cocktails, beers and coffees.

The Savoy has appointed Shannon Tebay as head bartender of the American Bar and senior mixologist at the hotel.

Scottish whisky auction firm, Whisky Hammer, and sister company Still Spirit has sold a 49% stake of the business to the Hong Kong investment group, Rare Whisky Holdings.

A new law in Russia ordering French champagne to be labelled sparkling wine has caused unrest among producers.

Bacardi has identified three key consumer groups after conducting an extensive survey on attitudes towards revisiting bars as lockdown measures are eased.

The Glenlivet has opened its newly refurbished distillery and visitor centre in Speyside after undergoing 18 months of renovations.

Ardgowan Distillery has announced a new one million litre single malt distillery and visitor centre, built on the Ardgowan Estate in Inverclyde, Scotland.

Naked Wines stock decreased by 3% this morning after the online retailer posted an annual pre-tax loss of £10.7 million.

Coa founder Jay Khan has revealed further details about his new bar which is set to open in mid-July in Shanghai.

Hollywood star Pedro Pascal has signed up as the new global ambassador for Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo.

Kahlúa has unveiled a new label design, inspired by the coffee culture of the brand’s native Veracruz, Mexico.

Pernod Ricard says its New Zealand wine brands Brancott Estate and Stoneleigh will be unable to meet global Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc supply this year after one of the smallest New Zealand harvests in 10 years.

Scottish distiller Eden Mill has entered a new partnership with French drinks group La Martiniquaise-Bardinet for the UK distribution of its gin portfolio.

Agung Prabowo is described as “one of the nicest people in bartending” in his bio for Drinks International’s Bar World 100 and his infectious smile transmits even across a Zoom call outside his new Dead& bar in central Hong Kong.

Nick Strangeway on how bars must adapt to a new and improved hospitality sector as we emerge from lockdown.

Fentimans is to replace 125ml mixer bottles with a new range of 200ml mixers, as the premium mixer brand aims to “tap into the growing popularity for long mixed drinks”.

Glenmorangie has released a new single malt scotch whisky called X by Glenmorangie which has been specifically designed for mixing.

Non-alcoholic spirits brand Strykk has secured new distribution agreements in the Netherlands and Canada.

The Famous Grouse has launched a limited-edition label to celebrate the brand’s role as the official sponsor of The British & Irish Lions.

While New Zealand has managed the pandemic better than most, a lack of tourism and difficulties with shipping have taken a toll on wine sales. Martin Green reports.