With just six weeks to Christmas, Pernod Ricard UK is turning up the heat behind the bar, unveiling its festive cocktail line-up and an indulgent new collaboration with ethical chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely.
The spirits giant — home to brands like Jameson, Kahlúa, Lillet, Altos, and Bumbu — is backing the On-Trade with a campaign designed to help venues maximise the premiumisation trend and deliver “standout festive experiences” for drinkers.
According to the group, cocktails remain the fastest-growing segment in the On-Trade spirits market, with consumers eager to trade up for quality and creativity. Building on a strong 2024 performance that saw 650,000 festive serves poured across the UK, Pernod Ricard UK is aiming to top that figure this year through elevated recipes, bold flavours and a touch of Christmas nostalgia.
Among this year’s hero serves are the Altos Santa Margarita, Jameson Black Barrel Old Fashioned (both pictured), Absolut Polar Espresso Martini, Bumbu Cream Tiramisu Martini, and Kahlúa Quality Treats — each enhanced with a new range of in-house flavour concentrates (think chocolate, toffee, hazelnut, coconut, strawberry and chocolate orange).
Nathan Last, On-Trade Channel Director at Pernod Ricard UK, said: “We’re seeing the ‘perfect serve’ play an even greater role in delivering standout experiences. Consumers continue to seek out premium choices and moments of indulgence. Our focus is on elevating festive menus with creative, high-quality cocktails that inspire and delight.”
Kahlúa Meets Tony’s Chocolonely
The brand’s headline partnership this season sees Kahlúa join forces with Tony’s Chocolonely for the Espresso MarTony — a playful twist on the classic Espresso Martini pairing the rich coffee liqueur with the crunch of Tiny Tony’s chocolate bites.
Over 100,000 Tiny Tony’s chocolates are set to be distributed across UK bars in the coming weeks, with major partners including Boom Battle Bar, Drake & Morgan, and a raft of independent venues nationwide. The chocolates will feature as edible garnish clips on cocktail menus, sitting alongside the Salted Caramel Espresso MarTony, a new signature serve for 2025.
The activation will be amplified through social and influencer activity expected to reach 1.6 million impressions, featuring creators showcasing the Espresso MarTony experience both in-bar and at home. Consumers can also take part in a competition via the Kahlúa website, with prizes including a year’s supply of Kahlúa and Tiny Tony’s, top-end coffee machines and limited-edition gift boxes.
The festive strategy ties back to Pernod Ricard’s ongoing push to help the On-Trade drive margin through premium spirits and creative serves. With consumer demand for indulgent, well-crafted cocktails showing no sign of slowing, the company’s message to operators is clear: put quality front and centre this Christmas.
From nostalgic flavours to Instagrammable garnishes, Pernod Ricard UK is betting on experience-led drinking to make this year’s festive season the most spirited yet.