British consumers develop a taste for old-fashioned minerals

Papas Minerals, the Northern Irish specialist in traditional non-alcoholic drinks, has experienced a significant rise in sales to customers in Britain and the Republic of Ireland over the past year.

The company, based in Bangor, county Down, produces old-fashioned beverages such as ginger wine, including a sugar-free version, as well as cordials with elderflower, clove and spiced winterberry flavours. It also produces a sarsaparilla and a traditional lemonade.

Business in England and Scotland has grown steadily over the past few years including by 10 per cent in 2014. Sales outside Northern Ireland where the company supplies the hand-made beverages to over 60 independent retailers, have been developed through its web presence and also from referrals from existing customers.

The beverages are produced from original recipes without artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners.

Wayne Adair, managing director and founder of the small business in 2004, says its growth in sales, especially in Britain, is being driven by increasing interest in traditional products with provenance and heritage.

"We are finding increasingly that people of all ages are looking for different tastes from artisan producers who have total control over their products. I guess we are probably also benefiting from the craft beer and ale revolution that's currently sweeping Northern Ireland.

"Our minerals are all handcrafted and bottled from original recipes and using traceable ingredients. Customers can count on different flavours from consistently high quality non-alcoholic beverages.

"I originally thought that some of the products such as clove and winter berry cordials would be seasonal but this hasn't been the case because they are now in demand the year round," he adds.

"The approaches we are now dealing with from Britain and Ireland are immensely encouraging."

Papas Minerals produces its range of soft drinks in 750ml bottles, also hand labelled. The small business was among the first to take a stall in the revamped St George's Food Market in Belfast when it reopened in 2004.