BRENDON LAWRY

Liquorland Chief Executive

Having been part of New Zealand’s beverage landscape for 21 years, Brendon Lawry is well placed to predict what we’ll be sipping on this year.

Brendon's big pick is a return to oldschool tipples, such as Aperol, Campari and vermouth-based drinks.

“These kinds of drinks were popular in the 50s but we’re seeing them reinvented for a modern audience,” says Brendon.

And the trend for younger drinkers to reach for more health-conscious beverages with zero sugar and no/low carbs, is set to continue.

“I think we’ll also see more drinkers, especially younger ones, opting for products that are more socially responsible, such as the locally-made White Rino drinks, which donate a portion of their profits to saving endangered animals.”

Brendon is also tipping a move to quality over quantity in all categories, but particularly when it comes to mixers.

“People are starting to recognise the impact of putting a cheap sugar mixer with their $90 bottle of spirits.”

And while New Zealanders were slow to jump on the rosé bandwagon, Brendon believes the pink-coloured wine will go from strength to strength, especially in the socalled ‘brosé’ category, with more men happy to order what was once seen as predominantly a female drink.

Gin’s resurgence will also continue this year, with vodka hot on its heels. “In the US vodka is being reimagined in a modern way and I predict the same will happen here. I just hope I haven’t jinxed it!”

And what’s not so hot? “With the rise of premium RTD gin and vodka based RTD’S, Aperol and Prosecco Spritz and the ever popular brosé’ category, I think cider needs a reinvention to stay relevant, and if it doesn’t: my prediction is that the recent category decline will only get worse,” he says.

Brendon believes rosé will go from strength to strength, especially in the ‘brosé’ category DRINKS HAVING A MOMENT Look out for a return to old-school tipples