9 hours ago
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SHOPPERS have been left devastated after a popular high street store has axed a beloved alcoholic drink.
Hotel Chocolat’s Cherry and Raspberry gin has now permanently disappeared from its 125 shops and online stores.
HOTEL CHOCOLATThe gin has been discontinued[/caption]
The fruity-flavoured booze was distilled with cacao and cost £23 for a 500ml bottle.
Eagle-eyed shoppers took to social media to find out what had happened to the popular product.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, one user said: “Have you discontinued your cherry and raspberry gin? It was my favourite drink ever, and I can’t find it anywhere.”
A spokesperson confirmed on X, that the product was no more.
They said: “Hi.. we’re afraid this product has been discontinued. We’re sorry for any disappointment caused by this.”
It will come as a blow to customers who in the past described it as “wonderful” and “really tasty”.
Another reviewer said: “Absolutely love this with soda water.”
A spokesperson also told The Sun: “We are constantly reviewing our ranges to ensure we have the best offering for customers.
“As part of the evolution of our products, the decision was made to discontinue the Cherry and Raspberry Gin.”
The fancy chocolate brand still sells a number of alcoholic drinks that customers can enjoy.
This includes a cacao based gin and a Salted Caramel Cacao Vodka Liqueur.
You can buy the products at Hotel Chocolat stores and online.
You can find the nearest store by visiting, www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/chocolate-shops.
It’s not the only alcoholic drink axed by popular brands in recent years.
Fullers Bengal Lancer beer was pulled last year,
It was pale in colour and has a bitter flavour – with notes of malt biscuit, caramelised orange, apricot and spicy hops.
Fuller’s, which runs 400 pubs across the UK, served the brew on tap – while the bottles were available in supermarkets and off-licences for £3 to £4.
More discontinued items
Earlier this week Sweet giant Mondelez exclusively told The Sun, shoppers will no longer be able to get their hands on the dark chocolate Toblerone.
It comes after customers were left scouring shops for months trying to hunt down the beloved treat.
Shoppers have even taken to social media to try and source the bar at various stores across the UK which are still selling off the old stock.
Fans of the Swiss treat can still buy the milk and white chocolate version of the bar, along with other flavours.
They can be found at most supermarkets and usually at the duty free section of airports across the globe.
Why are products axed or recipes changed?
ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.
Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.
They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.
There are several reasons why this could be done.
For example, government regulation, like the “sugar tax,” forces firms to change their recipes.
Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.
They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.
For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.
It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.
Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.
Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.
While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.
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