Spirited start to 2013 for Irish berry liqueur maker

Spirited Drinks, the Northern Irish maker of award winning Boozeberries and Ruby Blue super premium berry liqueurs, is expanding production following a series of new contracts.

The company, which is now based at Lisburn in County Antrim, is ramping up production and launching a rebranding of its Ruby Blue liqueur aimed at the cocktails market in Britain, the Republic of Ireland and key export markets developed during 2012.

Spirited Drinks, run by husband and wife team Stuart and Barbara Hughes, saw significant market breakthroughs in Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden and Turkey last year. Opportunities are also being explored in Canada.

Over the past month the company has signed up a distribution deal with Premier Beverage Brands in Dublin and is now supplying prestigious outlets there including the Whiskey Exchange. The company already supplies high-end retailer Donnybrook Fair in Dublin.

Leading online store TheDrinkShop.com is also now stocking the company's Ruby Blue brand for mixologists and drinks enthusiasts.

Commercial director Barbara Hughes, commenting on prospects in the year ahead, says: "We are really excited about the business generated last year particularly in the final quarter.

"We intend to more than double production to enable us to meet the demand for our unique products especially in our two most important markets, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

"We've recently strengthened our distribution in the Republic with the agreement with Premier Beverage Brands. A key objective for us in 2013 will be to develop opportunities that we've identified in Great Britain. We've been actively raising our profile there through participation in major trade events such as BBC Good Food Shows. Feedback from these events has been immensely encouraging.

"We've now Launched Ruby Blue®, which we developed with both on and off trade in mind. We have had a tremendous response from mixologists, and consumers - they really appreciate the premium quality of our naturally fruity bottle-aged liqueur."

Formed in 2010, Spirited Drinks produces artisan berry liqueur naturally enhanced with the infusion of whole wild fragrant berries in mellow grain spirit. The products, which have gained awards from the Guild of Fine Food (Great Taste Awards) and from the influential Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America, includewild cranberries, wild blueberries and zesty blackcurrants.

The tangy liqueurs can be served as an after dinner drink or as a delicious addition to cocktails.

"There's a recognition that our liqueurs are unique in the fact that every single bottle is hand-crafted. They're extremely versatile, allowing drinks to be customised and a little bit of summer to be added to every glass. "They're delicious when chilled and served as an aperitif, and make the most wonderful champagne cocktails when entertaining or celebrating with friends," adds Mrs Hughes.

The production process is carried out by hand, with the berries fed into the base of the bottle, a very smooth Irish grain spirit added. All the magic happens in the distinctively shaped bottle over a four-month period as the wild berries and the spirit infuse. All the ingredients are also sourced from suppliers throughout Ireland.