Serving up passion potion

2003-03-23 15:54

London - British drinks manufacturers are to flood bars with a range of new drinks dubbed "Viagra pops" to attract young drinkers, the Observer newspaper reported on Sunday.

Powerful blends of Chinese aphrodisiacs, vodka and passion fruit will create a "generation of randy super beings", according to drinks manufacturers who expect the new tipples to rock the market the way alcopops did in the 1990s, the newspaper said.

None will actually contain Viagra, produced by US pharmaceutical company Pfizer, relying instead on Chinese herbs such as cordyceps and epimedium grandiflorum, better known as Horny Goat Weed.

The first of these passion potions, Roxxoff, will sell for around £1,50 when it is rolled out across Britain next month.

At least four drink manufacturers are reported to be ready to offer the drinks.

"This is what everyone in the business is talking about. For months now firms have been trying to get the blends right in time for the warm weather," an industry insider told the newspaper.

Campaigners for the responsible use and sale of alcohol were appalled, the Observer said.

Jack Law, of the Glasgow-based group Alcohol Focus, said: "Roxxoff, sends out a completely irresponsible message to the young drinkers it is aimed at and will only increase the likelihood of binge drinking and unsafe sex."

Campaigners at Alcohol Concern said the drinks could lead to an increase in date rapes and teenage pregnancies.

- SAPA