Kinnie Explained

Kinnie
Type:Soft drink
Manufacturer:Simonds Farsons Cisk
Origin:Malta
Introduced:1952
Color:Amber
Related:Krest
Chinotto
Irn-Bru
Coca-Cola
Moxie
Variants:Kinnie Zest
Diet Kinnie

Kinnie (in Maltese pronounced as /kinːiː/) is a Maltese bittersweet carbonated soft drink brewed from bitter oranges and extracts of wormwood. It was first introduced in 1952 by the brewery Simonds Farsons Cisk, and continues to be produced by Farsons in Mrieħel, Birkirkara, Malta.[1]

Kinnie is brown, and is drunk straight or mixed with alcohol. It holds a reputation for being Malta's favourite non-alcoholic beverage,[2] sometimes even called the 'national soft drink'.[3] [4]

History

Kinnie was invented by Simonds Farsons Cisk's managing director Anthony Miceli Farrugia and was first produced in 1952 as an alternative to the cola drinks that proliferated in post-war Europe,[5] specifically Coca-Cola. Its taste was deliberately kept different from its international competition due to branding reasons. In 1975, it became the soft drink of the year of the French Comité International d'Action Gastronomique et Touristique.[6]

Kinnie's recipe is kept secret, though it is speculated to contain ginseng and rhubarb.[7]

A Diet version for Kinnie appeared in 1984. In 2007, a new low calorie version of Kinnie called Kinnie Zest was made available. This has a stronger orange flavour,[3] and is advertised as only having one calorie per bottle. Simonds started selling Kinnie Vita in 2014, which is sweetened using a blend of sugar and stevia leaf extract. In April 2021, Kinnie launched an alcoholic version of the drink called 'Kinnie Spritz'.[8] [9]

Sales locations

Kinnie is exported to the UK, Italy, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands,[10] Libya, and Canada,[11] while also being available in Japan.[12]

Kinnie is produced in Australia by Maltese Beverages Pty Limited, under a licence from Farsons.[13]

In March 2009, it was announced that Farsons were going to start exporting Kinnie into Russia.[14] In the summer of 2010, Farsons and Kinnie UK Limited soft-launched Kinnie and its two variants in London's West End, reaching almost 100 trial outlets by September 2010.[15]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Müller, Katja. ANWB Extra - Malta. 21 February 2019. ANWB Media - Boeken & Gidsen. 9789018019907. 21 February 2019. Google Books.
  2. Book: Guides, Insight. Insight Guides: Explore Malta. 1 June 2016. Apa Publications (UK) Limited. 9781786715449. 21 February 2019. Google Books.
  3. Book: Rix, Juliet. Malta and Gozo. 3 December 2015. Bradt Travel Guides. 9781784770259. 21 February 2019. Google Books.
  4. Web site: Malta - Szene - Reisetipps Süddeutsche.de. Süddeutsche de GmbH, Munich. Germany. Süddeutsche.de. 21 February 2019.
  5. News: Kinnie is 60. Times of Malta. 21 February 2019.
  6. Web site: Kinnie, de softdrink van Malta. Maltapagina.nl. 21 February 2019.
  7. Web site: Culinaire hoogstandjes van Malta. 31 March 2015. Wijnjournaal.nl. 21 February 2019.
  8. Web site: Azzopardi. Jean Paul. 2021-04-22. Malta's Most Beloved Soft Drink Goes 18+ With The Launch Of Kinnie Spritz. 2021-08-15. Lovin Malta. en-GB.
  9. Web site: Bluemarlin designs identity for new alcoholic aperitif. 2021-08-15. Transform magazine.
  10. Web site: Fruit in de hoofdrol. ~Foodfortext.nl. 21 February 2019.
  11. Web site: Day 6 : Take a tour of mini-Malta in the Junction. Joshua. Errett. 7 April 2009. NOW Magazine. 21 February 2019.
  12. Web site: Maltese restaurant to open in Tokyo . Tvm.com.mt. 21 February 2019.
  13. Web site: The Brand. Kinnie Australia. Maltese Beverages Pty. 14 May 2018. KINNIE was created by Malta’s longest established beverage company, Simonds Farsons Cisk, known simply as “Farsons”. In addition to Malta, KINNIE is also produced in Australia under licence from Simonds Farsons Cisk by Maltese Beverages Pty..
  14. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090312/local/farsons-to-export-kinnie-to-russia Farsons to export Kinnie to Russia
  15. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100917/local/kinnie-goes-on-sale-in-london Kinnie goes on sale in London