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Spirits and cocktails had biggest post-Covid bounce, says C&C chief

David Forde, chief executive of C&C Group, said that the cost of living crisis could now lead drinkers to choose less expensive options such as beer and cider

David Forde, chief executive of C&C Group: ‘People would talk about Thursday evening being the new Friday evening, but it is still not as big as the old Friday.’ Picture: Bryan Meade

Drinkers splurging on cocktails and spirits after Covid-19 drove some of the increases in C&C Group’s half-year results, according to David Forde, chief executive of the Dublin-headquartered drinks giant.

But he said that the cost of living crisis could lead people to return to cheaper options like beer and cider.

“There was this sense of almost euphoria and celebration when people got back out into the pubs, bars and restaurants. They had also squirrelled away ...