Lockdown cocktail making has pulled the start of the weekend forward to Thursdays at 4pm sharp

Lockdown hasn’t been all that bad, it has blossomed a nation of cocktail connoisseurs, with the start of the weekend being pulled forward to Thursdays at 4pm sharp.

Research has revealed that those zooming all day are more likely to enjoy a drink on a weekday (a staggering 72%), and 36% are likely to have their first drink between 4-5pm. Parents who are home schooling are most likely to have their first drink at 5pm, Admin, IT, and Accountants closer to 6pm.

Scotland’s handcrafted small-batch gin, Caorunn; A modern “London Dry” infused with five locally foraged botanicals to deliver a crisp and dry taste, have commissioned this research in partnership with market research company, Atomik, to find out what Brits are most excited about as we steadily approach the summer months, as well as the nation’s drinking habits in both lockdown and thereafter.

Brits Are Shaking Their Way Through Lockdown

With an increase in virtual events and workshops, the rise in ‘Zoom cocktails’ has taken the nation by storm, with a new demand for spirits and at-home cocktail kits like never before.

1 in 2 Brits have been channeling their inner mixologist and shaking up their own cocktail creations at home to get them in the mood ahead of the weekend. In fact, Caorunn’s commissioned research revealed that 46% of the nation have had a go at making cocktails over the past few months whilst pubs and bars have been closed. This has been most common amongst 18-34 year olds with 79% mentioning they had attempted to shake up a storm at least once during lockdown, which proved to be a lower 60% of respondents aged between 35-44.

“Over the past year, the UK have had to adapt to spending more time at home and socialising virtually with friends and family at the weekend. There has been a clear demand for both premium spirits and cocktail kits as the nation has begun to fill up their own drinks cabinets at home whilst bars and pubs have been closed.

More and more of us have been getting creative with our drinks choices and tuning into cocktail masterclasses and virtual events as a way to welcome the weekend or celebrate milestones and birthdays.” - Explains Gillian Gibson, Brand Manager for Caorunn, a premium Scottish gin celebrated by mixologists and gin lovers around the world.

But as Spring arrives and lockdown begins to lift, the question remains - what will we be our drink of choice at picnics, barbeques and social gatherings? Caorunn’s survey revealed that 36% of Brits would choose a Gin & Tonic or Lager as their drink of choice during the Spring and Summer months.

April Is The Start Of Summer

Upon analysis of the seasons, an overwhelming proportion of respondents felt that April was now the start of Summer.

77% of participants agreed that this year they were marking April as the start of the summer celebrations, and are most looking forward to lighter evenings (50%), visiting Beer Gardens (41%), barbeques (39%) and Gin & Tonics (21%).

When asked which drinks the nation most closely associated with the warmer seasons from April and beyond, respondents voted Lager (32%), Gin & Tonic (30%) and Cider (30%). These options trumped others such as Pimms, Wine and general cocktails.

Regionally, those from London, Manchester and the South East are most likely to kick start their weekend celebrations with a Gin & Tonic (42%), whereas those from Birmingham and Scotland are keen on a glass of Wine (47%).

Caorunn Scottish Gin can be purchased at Sainsbury's.