By Emma Weinbren2021-04-30T08:01:00+01:00
WKD is 25 years young. It’s stayed relevant by moving with the times, and joining forces with Love Island, says SHS Drinks MD Marcus Freer
WKD is officially older than its drinkers. The alcopop is celebrating its 25th anniversary – but its target audience is 18 to 24-year-olds.
It’s an irony not lost on Marcus Freer, MD of owner SHS Drinks, who says people are often unaware of the brand’s longevity. “No one really can believe it,” he says. “WKD has been written off so many times but it keeps coming back.”
The scepticism is perhaps understandable. In many ways, WKD feels like a product of a bygone era. At the time of its launch in the 1990s, alcopops were booming and lad culture was at its height. Since then, many of the big alcopop brands have fallen by the wayside. Laddishness, meanwhile, has given way to a new generation of more moderate drinkers.
IRN-BRU: the people’s ginger. The west of Scotland generic term for a soft drink is apt in this case, as the liquid under advisement is ginger-coloured, or rusty as some see it, in a nod to the iron alleged in the name. So, let’s clear that one up right away. Does Irn-Bru actually contain iron? Well, you may be surprised to learn that the answer is … yes! But only a tiny amount: 0.002 per cent of ammonium ferric citrate. Other ingredients of the main un-dieted, un-energised brand are: carbonated water (natch), sugar (controversial), citric acid (yummy!), flavourings (including caffeine and quinine), sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame K), preservative (E211), and colourings Sunset Yellow FCF and Ponceau 4R – oh, that explains the hue (though I can’t see the expression “I fancy a can of Ponceau”).
18th January 2021
Aldi has launched a range of new products that have been developed and manufactured in Scotland following the supermarket’s search for the country’s ‘Next Top Product’.
Working in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, Aldi’s search to uncover new products was relaunched early last year as part of a commitment to support local suppliers and increase its range of Scottish lines.
New products that have been rolled out to Aldi’s 96 stores in Scotland include Iron Brew flavoured Jelly Babies (99p, 200g) developed by Greenock-based Golden Casket, Broccoli Crisps (69p, 22g / £1.29, 78g) from Fife-based supplier Grower’s Garden, and Cauliflower Crisps (69p, 22g / £1.29, 80g) created by Kilmarnock-based Nudie Snacks.