August 1st, 2025: Spritz is France's favourite cocktail and other news
Spritz is 24.2% of France cocktail turnover, eyes on US tariffs, Campari's Q2, MPG's drop, Isle of Raasay expands accommodation, social media and hospitality, Canadian whisky's 9.09% rule and more...
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Happy Friday everyone!
I will start with something light today before we dive into the tariffs dance, as the US Government has just updated its trade duty plan. But there is much more to read, including financial reports and other interesting content.
Spritz is France’s favourite cocktail
Mojoto and Piña Colada might have held the crown in the past, but now Spritz is the king of cocktail consumption in France, according to a recent report by NielsenIQ and Fyre. The Venetian drink represents 24.2% of the country’s total cocktail turnover.
You can read the news by Nathan Vulsteke on Le Figaro:
Speaking of Spritz, I may have some more interesting news for you - just keep scrolling to discover it…
Tariffs dance
Trump’s tariffs rise for Canada and Brazil
An executive order on the White House website have set out the tariffs for more than 90 countries. Nations like Canada and Brazil have seen their trade duties rise again, while others’ have been softened.
Article by Lauren Bowes on The Spirits Business:
Tariffs: A point of view from France
“Is a bad trade deal better than a good commercial war?”. Alexandre Abellan uses a quote from Balzac to start his editorial about the EU-US deal and today’s updates from Trump administration.
You can read his point of view on Vitisphère here:
Scotch Whisky looking for balance in India
The UK-India trade deal is clearly not enough to offset the instability in the US market, but it can be seen as a first step in a strategy to cultivate alternative markets.
Giambattista Marchetto spoke with the Scotch Whisky Association on this topic. You can read the interview on Linkiesta Gastronomika:
Scotch economy | Il whisky scozzese schiva i dazi americani svoltando sull’India
Company news
Campari Q2 operation profits rise 2.9%
Campari had some good news, reporting a 2.9% rise in second-quarter operating profits. However, the company also issued a warning, stating that the 15% tariff on its US shipments could cost it up to €54m this year.
You can read the news by Rupert Hohwieler on The Spirits Business:
For those of you who are willing to dive into more detailed insights, you can find the company’s official report here:
Did we say Spritz? I particularly recommend you have a look at the organic net sales by geography and by houses of brands.
MGP Ingredients sales plunge 24% in Q2
The US-based third-party spirits producer reported a 24% sales drop to US$145.5 million in the second quarter of 2025, while profits dropped 30% to US$58.4m. The decline is due to a drop in demand for aged spirits.
Article by Nicola Carruthers on The Spirits Business:
Diversification
Isle od Rasaay Distillery expands hospitality
What do tourists need when visiting an island? How can a distillery make their life easier and diversify its revenue streams? Increasing its hospitality services is a good answer to these questions, and this is what Isle of Raasay Distillery is doing.
You can read about it in Georgie Collins’s article on The Spirits Business:
Something to read
How social media is influencing hopitality’s creativity
Repetitive ideas, copycat campaigns, never-ending scrolling. Social media seems to have grown to promote superficial engagement, while AI is rapidly replacing human creativity, but how is this affecting the hospitality sector? On The Spirits Business Georgie Collins reports about a seminar titled “Breaking the Algorithm: Developing and Delivering Effective Creativity and Innovation”, where this matter was discussed by drinks photographer Addie Chinn, Mr Lyan Studio managing partner Bob Conwell, and Diageo’s head of advocacy Claire Warner.
Canada and the 9.09% rule
The 9.09% Canadian whisky regulation has long been considered controversial within the whisky community. According to the rule, producers can add small amounts of wine or other spirits to their blends - up to 10% of the existing volume of pure whisky - without declaring it.
Blair Phillips and Davin de Kergommeaux are exploring this rule in their article on Whisky Magazine:
"We should celebrate it": Canada's controversial 9.09 per cent rule
That’s all for today!
Please, do feel free to keep in touch with ideas and updates, and don’t forget to recommend this blog to your friends in the industry.
Have a great weekend and see you on Monday!