Ah, nostalgia. That beautiful, bittersweet sensation that tugs at our heartstrings and whispers sweet nothings into our ears about "the good old days."
As we embark on our latest themed series, we'll be diving headfirst into the world of nostalgic booze. From reviving vintage aperitifs to exploring ghost distilleries, we've got your taste buds covered. Prepare to don your rose-tinted glasses, and let's explore spirits down memory lane together.
Forget sentimentality though – this is about what’s cool in the here and now. ‘Nostalgia’ has even been named as one of the big drinks trends of 2023 by industry commentators and trade press alike.
As we’ve waded our way through wistful cocktails and peeled back the layers of revisionist history that favours a convenient narrative, we’ve had a useful reminder that while heritage and legacy can be powerful assets, they are not immune to losing their lustre. When it comes to brands, bottles and recipes – trend cycles may repeat themselves, but so does their inevitable demise…
Just as we did with our series on Savoury Drinks and Asia Inspired Cocktail Culture, we’ve taken our usual approach to tackling a subject. Through a series of articles we have highlighted the many stories and ways Nostalgia takes shape in the spirits industry, each revealing a different angle on the topic.
Our first stop: Reviving Vintage Aperitifs.
Remember when everyone and their grandmother had a favourite aperitif? No? Well, neither do we, but that's not the point. We’ve reviewed two long-forgotten brands that have risen from the ashes and been re-released for modern drinkers. The kind that have the the potential to capture the zeitgeist and live up to their huge history. A lofty ambition given one sold over 50 million bottles in its pomp…
Next up, we're rolling out the red carpet for Cinematic Mixology.
Ever wondered why you suddenly crave a particular cocktail after seeing them on screen? Or why certain drinks are so heavily associated with certain eras despite not actually being from that time? We've got the answers.
In this article, we delve into the psychology of the screen, and how it influences drinking trends through the magical power of nostalgia. Grab your popcorn and click on to find out why your brain is constantly trying to turn you into a movie star – at least at the bar.
For our third act, we will present a Gin Time Capsule.
History may well show that UK’s Gin renaissance will be recorded as the decade between the London Olympics and the Platinum Jubilee. Close your eyes and imagine a world where gin's golden era could be preserved forever, only to be discovered by future generations. How would we do it? What treasures would we leave behind?
We've got some wistful suggestions that'll have you reaching for a G&T faster than you can say "pass the tonic" and before we can pack it our box of wonders… Satisfy your curiosity and see what we’d entomb in a gin time capsule for the drinkers of 2073 to discover.
Last, but certainly not least, we're taking a spirited journey into the world of Ghost Distilleries.
Mothballed distilleries hold secrets of the past, and whisky that’s been left behind. We'll explore the phenomenon of these haunted havens, raising our glasses to the producers of yesteryear, and ask the burning question: is history repeating itself?
Head over to uncover the truth behind these ethereal enigmas.
So, dear reader, prepare to be whisked away on a nostalgic whirlwind of forgotten flavours, vintage vibes, and sippable memories. Join us in raising a glass to the past and let's toast to the journey that awaits!