NPD Trend Tracker: From festive treats to spooky spirits

Ho Ho Ho Merrrrrrry Christmas… too soon? Not according to food and beverage brands across the land. They’re getting into the festive spirit with their exciting new offerings for the season. But don’t worry, there are some spooky Halloween treats in there too.

So, grab a mince pie and a pumpkin spiced latte, get cosy, and enjoy the latest launches. Oh, and prepare yourself for a pun of two! Mwahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…

This is not just any Christmas launch…​M&S has a reputation for going big at Christmas, so it’s unsurprising their 2024 Christmas food launch packs a punch.

And brand-new this year, is the Popping Down the Chimney Dessert. Made to serve ten, this chocolate-roof dessert is filled with a dark and milk chocolate mousse, filled with butterscotch caramel sauce, set on a white chocolate and toasted popcorn crisp base. And if that was decadent enough, it’s topped with white chocolate mousse and edible decorations.

Available online and in stores.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice…​Mi Campo Tequila is strutting into spooky season, with its new Beetlejuice-inspired cocktail.

The ‘I’m the Ghost with the Most, Babe!’ cocktail is said to, “have you feeling thrilled, chilled, and begging for another sip”. It includes Mi Campo Tequila, made from pure blue agave of Jalisco, which is fermented amongst citrus trees, then aged in oak wine barrels.

Created to celebrate the sequel to the iconic 80’s film, starring Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, it has a ghoulish red hue and is said to be a twist on the classic margarita.

Available online

The countdown is on with Cox & Co.​Single origin dark chocolate brand, Cox & Co., is indulging dark chocolate lovers this festive season, with the launch of its new advent calendar.

The brand new Cox & Co. Christmas Luxury Dark Chocolate Vegan Advent Calendar contains 24, single origin Colombian cacao dark chocolates behind each door.

Wrapped in a recycled Kraft card, the calendar has been designed by Dawn Ogden-White.

“Launching an advent calendar for Christmas 2024 is the next step in the evolution of the Cox & Co. brand,” says Gavin Cox, founder of Cox & Co. “This is the perfect Christmas countdown for those consumers who prefer dark chocolate to milk, or chocolate lovers following a plant based diet. We expect it to prove very popular in the run up to the festive season.”

Cox & Co uses single origin Colombian cacao, that is 100% sustainably sourced, from farm to bar.

Available online

Image credit: Cox & Co.

Fall in love with Halloween​British bakery, Love Handmade Cakes, is launching a range of spooky baked treats for Halloween.

The spooktacular collection includes spider themed cookies, cream gateau, ginger and treacle traybakes, treacle sponge, a parkin traybake, and skeleton and mummy themed gingerbread.

“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy Love Handmade Cake, and that’s kind of the same thing,” said a spokesperson for Love Handmade Cake.

Wild Knight in​Norfolk-based distillery, Wild Knight, is celebrating the release of its latest innovation, Chocolate Martini, the third variant in its range of luxury liqueurs. And while this might not be themed towards Christmas, it deserves a place on the Christmas drinks trolley.

The decadent vodka-based drink is made using organic Criollo cacao bean sourced from the Peruvian Amazon.

“Our liqueur sales have doubled in the last year and are becoming the main part of our business.” says Matt Brown, co-founder of Wild Knight Distillery. “We are thrilled to be launching a brand new flavour to our range of liqueurs. The new Chocolate Martini liqueur brings something truly different, and is an indulgent treat for those that enjoy rich drinks with a smooth, long finish.”

Established in 2016, Wild Knight Distillery is home to a collection of hand-crafted English spirits and liqueurs, including Nelson’s Gold Caramel Vodka Liqueur and Espresso Martini.

Available online

Image credit: Wild Knight Distillery