Altos Tequila has launched a range of margarita-based ice lollies featuring frozen bugs, herbs and chillies following new research which reveals that British adults have more adventurous tastes today than at any other time in history.
The tequila brand polled 2,000 UK adults in the study which shines a spotlight on the evolution of the British palate. The results show that four in ten adults (46%) say they like to push flavour boundaries with spices, herbs and unusual ingredients while 21% admit they are keen to try something new at least once a week.
The findings suggest that we feel most experimental between the ages of 18 and 24. But adventurous tastes are not restricted to the young as a whopping 79% of all Brits admit they would ‘give anything a go’.
The study also revealed we’re creative when it comes to our drinks – in fact over half (59%) of Brits claim their favourite cocktail twist is adding edible gold flakes!
The Mexican margarita was crowned the nation’s favourite cocktail, as well as the most versatile. And one in three Brits (36%) admit they are open to shaking up their tequila-based drinks with unique ingredients including hot chillies (62%), fermented fruit (56%), tequila worms (14%), and even crunchy grasshoppers (18%).
The UK’s top 20 favourite cocktail twists:
Sour berries – 80%
Edible flowers – 70%
Wine – 63%
Chillies – 62%
Coriander – 62%
Edible liquid gold flakes – 59%
Fermented fruit – 56%
Apple cider vinegar – 54%
Beer – 51%
Bitters – 46%
Bee pollen – 35%
Kombucha – 34%
Hot sauce – 33%
Charcoal powder – 25%
Grasshopper salt – 22%
Worm salt – 20%
Dried grasshoppers – 18%
Squid ink – 16%
Dried insect larvae (worms) – 14%
Dried scorpions – 14%
In fact, 86% of Margarita fans believe their chilli use has increased their tolerance for heat over the past five years, with half (52%) even brave enough to try a Carolina Reaper, the hottest chilli on the planet.
Two thirds (67%) of Brits say they frequently take flavour inspiration from overseas when trialling new food and drink. But some popular ingredients still prove controversial, as coriander, a popular Mexican ingredient, is named the most divisive herb garnish by three quarters (74%) of Brits.
As Brits become more experimental, Altos Tequila, voted the best tequila for margaritas, has launched a unique range of margarita ice lollies, a twist on Mexico’s classic paleta treats.
A decorated truck will hand out free margaritas, as well as offering a one-of-a-kind menu of Altos ice lollies combining the nation’s favourite and trending flavours:
Lime Margarita – The classic tequila cocktail in a cooling frosted lolly, complete with speckles of lime zest for the traditional margarita flavour
Watermelon Margarita – A delicious pink watermelon margarita inspired by Mexican paletas, filled with juicy watermelon chunks for a taste of summer
Picante with Chilli & Coriander – With the nation’s newfound love of spice and experimentation, the hot and tangy picante margarita lolly mixes chilli and coriander to heat up tastebuds
Tequila Worms & Crunchy Grasshoppers – For those brave enough, classic frosted margarita lollies with added grasshoppers and tequila mealworms, taking inspiration from emerging cocktail trends
Speaking about the new launch, Simon Hodgson, Brand Ambassador at Altos Tequila, said: “As the UK gets more inspired by different cultures, we’re seeing an increasing trend of unique ingredients being experimented with in our food and drink, especially cocktails!
“The Mexican margarita is one of the most versatile cocktails out there, so we can’t wait to offer tequila fans our new range of margarita lollies, with some very special twists, as a new way to cool down this summer”.
Operating in London and Brighton, cocktail lovers can receive their free classic and frozen margaritas and ice lollies at the following locations:
Friday 25th & Saturday 26th August – Brighton i360
Thursday 31st August – Shoreditch Box Park
Altos Tequila has been voted the best tequila for margaritas by a panel of bartenders at Drinks International since 2019.
