The number of cocktail drinkers has increased by 13% compared to pre-pandemic levels,  reaching record highs, Irn-Bru producer AG Barr has revealed.

Around 7.4 million Britons now opt for cocktails when they go to a bar, restaurant or club and around 43% of those choosing cocktails drink at least once a week.

The Scottish drinks company said its business bounced above pre-pandemic levels in the year to 30 January, with easing restrictions last spring bringing consumers back to pubs.

READ MORE: AG Barr pours £6m in Irn-Bru advertising

“Cocktails outperformed other categories,” an AG Barr spokesperson said. “The cocktail category has performed extremely well, benefiting from increased numbers of consumers returning to venues and increasing levels of participation in the category.”

Despite the lack of restrictions, cocktail drinking remained popular at home with the sale of mixed drinks for home consumption rising by 44% year-on-year.

The most popular drinks included the pornstar martini, mojito, sex and on the beach and Long Island ice tea.

As commodity prices jumped for packaging, ingredients and energy-related costs, the beverage company revealed in February that it would be increasing its price.

The move comes as the London Metal Exchange (LME)  warned that the soaring cost of copper, aluminium and nickel would see the prices of canned goods such as beverages rise.

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