A new liquid created in Germany – a basil-lemon soda – has made its first foray into the travel retail market after being listed through Gebr. Heinemann with German airline TUIfly and in certain Eastern European airports.
Soda Libre The Basil is produced and marketed by Hamburg-based Husmann-Machon, a premium mixer and soft drink category specialist run by two experienced drinks industry professionals.
Earlier in their careers, business partners René Machon and Thorsten Husmann worked in senior roles for Bacardi, with Machon also working for a spell at Heinemann.
Their new mini-bottle drink has been designed for three main uses – as a soft drink, as a gin mixer or for combining with wine for a spritzer.
Husmann-Machon has already achieved distribution for Soda Libre The Basil in its home market, and other European countries including Norway, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Finland.
Machon said: “Thanks to Gebr. Heinemann and the trust in our brand of TUIFly, we have achieved our first milestone in global travel retail. The advantage, for the limited space of airlines, is that the perfect sweet and sour mix of The Basil offers a unique versatility. One space in the trolley, but three drinks in the menu – that’s really unique.”
Husmann added: “With Soda Libre The Basil, it is now possible to serve great and innovative drinks you’d normally expect in an urban top bar but not in an airline.”
