Ribena has launched its first variant primarily designed to be served hot, Ribena Winter Spice.

Over 7% of Ribena volume is already consumed using hot water, and the no added sugar product has the familiar blackcurrant taste but with additional hints of cinnamon, cardamon and orange to give it a mulled wine flavour. It is aimed at sharing occasions, such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas, and will be available for the winter only, although brand owners Lucozade Ribena Suntory hope that it will prove successful enough to bring back every year.

The concentrate is available in 600ml bottles, available price-marked at £1.69 as well as in unmarked packs, along with an 850ml size for larger stores. The launch is being backed by sampling both in-store and outdoors in seven major cities.