Every year, Monin launches an exciting range of new products. So what’s hot this year and what are the most intriguing pairings for the new offerings?
In 2019 MONIN introduced three new products in the Levant and Africa region, which are: Le Fruit de MONIN Williams Pear with its succulent, aromatic flavour, perfectly marrying cocktails, chocolate drinks, lemonades and deserts; Le Concentre de MONIN Green Tea with its tart notes, ideal for creative cocktails and iced teas; and trendy Le Sirop de MONIN Pink Peppercorn with its intense pink color, naturally sweet heart, unique spicy and aromatic punch that is just right for creative gin and tonics, cocktails and mocktails.

What trends have you noticed regionally/globally?
Health and wellness globally is forecast to grow at 3 percent over the next five years. CAGR between 2017 and 2022 in the MENA region is higher, at 7 percent over the same period. Consumers are in search of all-natural ingredients and MONIN is the right fit for such consumers as our products are made with natural ingredients, without any artificial colors, flavors and are GMO/gluten free. Also, as part of the health and wellness trend, plant-based diets have become popular as evidenced by last year’s 62 percent increase in plant-based claims in F&B products launched out of Europe. Dairy alternative milk is taking over shelves in supermarkets and in coffee shops. Twenty percent of Gen Z consumers worldwide are vegans. MONIN is an excellent fit for these consumers too, as about 90 percent of our products are suitable for vegans. How about a cup of delicious almond milk latte with Le Sirop de MONIN Salted Caramel? When it comes to the regional coffee trends, Spanish Latte is a hit. Initially made with condensed milk only, MONIN Beverage Innovators brought this trend to another level, playing with various Middle Eastern flavors and attractive color combinations.

As for the bar trends, low and zero ABV cocktails are the fastest-growing category. The most popular cocktail of last summer was Orange Spritz with its sparkling mouthfeel, refreshing orange taste and light bitter notes. We suggest using Le Sirop de MONIN Orange Spritz with sparkling water and alcoholic or non-alcoholic white wine to achieve the low or zero ABV Orange Spritz cocktail. Also, gin cocktails are booming all over the world, including our region. Why not use your favorite gin with Le Sirop de MONIN Pink Peppercorn and a splash of tonic water to satisfy your craving?

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The most in demand choices when adding to coffee-based cocktails is regular sugar or vanilla syrup, because these don’t add any flavor, rather just introduce a sweet taste and lend the drink additional texture. As for what is trending, these will probably be rum related and I have a feeling that pineapple, which has always been popular, will make an even bigger jump alongside some herbs and spices. As for the most trending innovation in the top bars, cordials are high on the list. However, bars that are a step above the rest are buying smaller amounts of syrups, instead opting to spend their time and effort into creating new flavors, textures and acidity levels that work best with their take on what the offered cocktails should taste like.