Mixed reactions as fans test new Irn-Bru

IRN-BRU fans have described the new reducedsugar version as both “horrible” and “not bad” as they sampled the drink for the first time.

Scotland’s so-called other national drink is being produced with less than 50 per cent of its regular sugar content from this month.

The new recipe has cut the sugar content per can from 8.5 teaspoons to four, reducing calorie content from just less than 140 to about 65 calories.

Irn-Bru makers AG Barr have been grappling with a shift in consumer tastes and preparing for the implementation of a sugar tax this year.

A petition has been launched to save the traditional recipe but AG Barr said the new version contains the same “secret Irn-Bru flavour essence”, but with less sugar.

Opinions were divided among people who tried the new drink in a “taste test” in Glasgow.

Charelle Sadler, from Glasgow, who normally drinks regular Irn-Bru, said: “It’s horrible. It’s just like drinking diet juice. It’s not even got the same taste.”

Daniel Groundland, from Glasgow, said: “It’s sweeter, the new one, but the original one has a slight different kick to it. It’s not bad.”

Other tasters found the new and old Irn-Bru similar. Jackie Waddell, from Shotts, North Lanarkshire, said: “I don’t taste any difference. I think they taste exactly the same.”

AG Barr has now stopped production of the higher-sugar version and urged customers to try the new recipe when it reaches the shops.