SHS Drinks is embracing the dark fruit boom with a new Merrydown cider that marks the debut of a planned ‘hedgerow’-inspired range.

The launch of the 4% Merrydown Blackcurrant cider follows the success of drinks such as Strongbow Dark Fruit, which achieved £12m in sales in less than three months this summer.

The new cider will roll out across the trade in 500ml bottles, and will replace 750ml bottles of Merrydown & Black sold only in Tesco.