Café Kiss
Company: Halewood International
Price: £1.59 per can

Expert's verdict...20/25
Café Kiss really does what it says on the tin, and delivers a frothy coffee experience with a subtle kiss of alcohol. Undoubtedly, it's a clever time to market this type of drink too, piggybacking on the coffee culture that has swept the nation. The packaging is understated and fits with its target audience, which must be female, as certainly no heterosexual males will be purchasing a can, because the packaging is emblazoned with a prominent pair of red lips. 
Jonathan Butt, head of global sourcing, Thresher Group

Consumer's verdict...5/25
I like this sort of drink, but have never before come across anything quite like Café Kiss. The packaging in itself is rather unusual for an alcoholic drink, but it's quite nice. The drink is described as a product that provides the "great taste of Red Square Vodka combined with a cappuccino styled frothy delivery system". However, on tasting it, I could not disagree more. And, if it did not clearly state on the can that it contains vodka, then I would have doubted it, as you can not taste the spirit at all.
Lisa Elliot, 21, cabin crew, Glasgow

Overall verdict...25/50


A year down the line...
Jacob's Creek Sparkling Rosé
Company: Pernod Ricard
Launch Price : £7.99
Today's Price: £7.99
Acid test verdict: 38/50

It would appear that Pernod Ricard was on to a good thing when it decided to add a rosé version to its popular Jacob's Creek wine brand a year ago.

According to ACNielsen, the sparkling tipple has since captured nearly 18% in value of the total off-trade rosé market (52 w/e 25 March 2006). The figures mirror the opinion of one buyer, who said the newcomer had been a great success.

The buyer put this down to the brand's "great consumer awareness, loyalty with UK wine consumers, and the attractive prices.