The Italian Beverage Company (IBC) (Borehamwood, Herts) has launched DROPissimo – a Belgian chocolate drop for blending with milk to make hot chocolate.

DROPissimo is designed for volume use in an IBC chocolate bowl or for single-serve cups using a conventional coffee machine. It is available in 1kg catering bags or 250g bags for home use by retail customers.

Another product from IBC is Hot Spiced Apple Concentrate from the Mountain Cider Company. This is a 100% natural product, which requires the addition of hot water.

It is aimed at the half of the population who do not drink coffee, says the company, and won the Best New Beverage Award last year from the Beverage Service Association.

Says Sheldon Flax, IBC’s MD: “We’ve been growing our business on the back of spotting innovative ideas and recognising the next new trend very early on. For example, we were the first company to offer flavoured syrups in the UK.”

IBC is an importer, broker, e-commerce retailer and master franchisee selling in 17 countries. It will be exhibiting its beverage products at the Hotelympia show in London.