Blast from the past: Why this popular ’80s alcohol is making a comeback

These refreshing alcoholic drinks that were huge in the time of perms and stonewash denim are making a major comeback, but this time with a fresh new look and more sophisticated taste.

It was the ‘It’ drink of the 1980s, now “wine spritzers” like the iconic West Coast Cooler are making a come back with a whole new range of the sippers to hit the market.

The fruity, fizzy grape-based drinks have been given a sophisticated upgrade from the height of their popularity four decades ago, and are now being designed as a fun introduction to wine for the Gen Z and Millennial market.

“What is trending at the moment with Gen Z and Millennials is flavours,” said Ben Lafford, wine category manager for the Endeavour Group, behind the likes of Dan Murphy’s and BWS.

“On the occasions they’re consuming alcohol it’s usually refreshing, chilled and sessionable. We’re looking to tap into that trend from a wine category point of view so we’ve partnered with some of our key suppliers looking to deliver something that represents the wine category but really appeals to those Gen Z and Millennial customers.”

Mikaela Jordan, Katie Comerford and Amy Dickinson enjoying a new range of wine spritzers at the Stones Corner Hotel in Greenslopes.

That means everything from sauvignon blanc passionfruit spritzers and pinot gris white peach varieties to watermelon prosecco options in either cans or bottles by six big labels including Jacob’s Creek, Squealing Pig and Tempus One.

“We’re principally targeting non-wine drinkers and what we’re hopeful of is they provide an easy step into the wine category and build some of those positive connections around wine flavours and varieties,” Mr Lafford said.

The retro-inspired spritzers are part of a massive boom in the ready-to-drink category, with everything from espresso martinis in jars, to the controversial Hard Solo, which saw another Aussie classic revived.

News Corp wine writer Kara Monssen has taste tested the new spritzers and said they definitely weren’t for the oenophile, but would be perfect for “a summer barbecue with mates, hot beach days, lazing around a pool, park picnics or anytime you need a portable drink at the ready”.

“If you’re a wine traditionalist, or someone who doesn’t add strawberry to your champagne, then this isn’t for you,” she said, describing the drinks as the “love child of a prosecco and seltzer, zapping with summer fruits”.

“If you’re reaching for a refreshing drink, and not overly fussed about wine, then make this your mate.”

The drinks hit Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores, as well as ALH-owned hotels this week, including Brisbane’s Stones Corner Hotel.

Originally published as Blast from the past: Why this popular ’80s alcohol is making a comeback