Sakurafresh extends alcohol-free line
Japanese alcohol-free beverage producer Sakurafresh has released five zero-ABV ‘liqueurs’ and ‘spirits’.
The five products became available at the end of September and comprise: Sakurafresh Amaretto, Amaro Italiano, Red Italian Bitter, Reposado and Negroni. Naveen MV, managing director of Sakurafresh, said: “These five products are all made from natural botanical extracts and are something very unique, yet familiar. “We wanted to be a disruptive force, and we thought we’ll start with zero-alcohol liqueurs. The alcohol-free market is not easy; it’s a tough game. But we believe our products are of excellent quality.” Furthermore, Sakurafresh is planning to release additional alcohol-free ‘spirits’, ‘liqueurs’ and apéritifs in the coming months. Scheduled to launch between January and March 2022, the new products will include: The High Malt Whisky, designed to emulate a Highland single malt; Himitsu Malt Whisky, designed to be an alcohol-free alternative to Japanese single malts; Ron Añejo Rum (a 0% ABV gold ‘rum’); and Ron Oscuro Rum (a 0% ABV dark ‘rum’). Between May this year and May 2022, Sakurafresh will have released 15 alcohol-free ‘spirits’ and ‘liqueurs’. Among these will be a dry vermouth and a floral ‘gin’ by May next year. “Our goal when you talk about ‘spirits’ and ‘liqueurs’, not bitters, is that by 2026/27, five years from next year, we’re looking at about 500,000 cases of ‘spirits’ and ‘liqueurs', at six 750ml bottles per case,” MV added. “By December 2023, we are aiming to get distribution in 50 countries.” Sakurafresh is also thought to be the world's first producer of alcohol-free cocktail bitters, MV added.