Alcoholic drink names that could be appealing to minors banned

Makers of alcoholic drinks with names such as Grape Bubblegum, Fairy Floss or Rainbow Sherbert have been forced to change the names of their beverages, but are the new monikers any less appealing than the originals? You be the judge.

Liquor outlets across NSW have been ordered to stop selling a series of lolly or dessert-named alcohol drinks such as “fairy floss” and “bubblegum” amid concerns they could be found appealing to minors.

The Liquor & Gaming NSW industry alert follows an Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) scheme ruling early last year, which found some “alcohol soft drinks” being sold had names and packaging that could appeal to children.

Among those to undergo a name change are Hard Solo, which Asahi has since rebranded “Hard Rated”.

Others to have undergone a name change include those in the Billson’s range of vodka drinks, including Tropical Punch which has become “Tropical” and Grape Bubblegum which is now “Grape Burst”. Rainbow Sherbet was rebranded as “Retro Fizz” while Fruit Tangle was changed to “Tangle”.

Nadine Mansour (left) with Chiara Pfieffer say it’s what is in the can and not what’s on the can that matters. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Billson’s has also changed the name of Creamy Soda to “Creamy” and Lemonade Popsicle to “Lemon Splash”.

Some in the range have been discontinued altogether, including Toffee Apple and Fairy Floss.

Other products in the Billson’s Premixed Vodka range which will cease supply in NSW include Musk, Lamington, Cake, Banoffee, Pavlova, Lemon Meringue, Berry Jelly, Turkish Delight and Pink Clouds.

Billson’s Creamy Soda …

… is now just Creamy

Grape Burst is the new name …

… for Grape Bubblegum

Often marketed on TikTok and featuring packaging resembling confectionary, regulators have long been concerned at the potential harm caused by so-called “alcohol soft drinks”.

The industry alert sent to licensed venues and bottle shops said the move was designed to minimise alcohol-related risks to the community, “particularly to minors”. The alert also urged retailers to remove products from sale.

The alert also warned of future regulatory action with L & GNSW consulting with industry and health representatives on what other changes were needed in relation to “alcoholic soft drink” products.

Fruit Tangle is now …

… just Tanglee:

A L & GNSW spokeswoman said further guidelines were being developed with other state regulators and it is understood these will relate to the appropriate branding and packaging of alcohol.

“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring alcohol is consumed and sold responsibly.

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L & GNSW) has recently engaged with two alcohol manufacturers around a number of soft drink, confectionary and dessert-themed drinks unacceptable under NSW legislation due to their likely appeal to minors,” she said.

For Nadine Mansour and Chiara Pfeiffer, both 23, it’s what’s in the can – not what’s on the label – that’s key.

They said they were old enough to look at contents – gin, vodka, tequila – rather than the name of the brand.

Taste and price also drove their purchases