Barr’s, the soft drink manufacturers with the biggest claim over the drink Scots know and love today, list the official launch date for “Irn-Bru” as 1901. Featuring a cast of sweet old ladies and some clever use of editing, they created a piece of advertising that lasted far longer than the drink it promoted. You’ll get the best outcomes by focusing on relatively tart cranberry juice. If your juice does have sweeteners, you can add a little lime juice or lemon juice to make the sweetness less noticeable. Orange Juice This tartan was different from the generic tartan used by the brand on their English adverts in 1969. Renfield Street in Glasgow, showing the Barr's Irn-Bru lights in March 1984. Picture: TSPL 13. Irn Bru's most famous ad was launched in 2006 and it was the first time the brand had ever created a Christmas ad - it definitely wasn't the last

You can’t mention Scotland without mentioning Irn-Bru! Often referred to as the country's "other national drink" (after whisky), Irn-Bru - for the uninitiated - is a sweet, fizzy drink with a vivid orange hue. What does it taste like? Debate rages on across Scotland, from coast to coast! Is it a sort of liquid bubblegum flavour, or is it more like a carbonated caramel? A fruity cola? Nobody can quite decide - and that’s half the fun! If you can’t find a spiced gin, don’t worry, ginger beer is a versatile mixer and will work well with any type of gin. Lime Cordial Lemonade is the next step after soda water. It has similar advantages, as the nuances of the gin should still shine with a gin and lemonade combination.Coffee can be used as a mixer for gin too. Using cold brew coffee seems to work particularly well, as you’re able to taste more of the flavor of the gin. You can even add in some tonic water or soda water to give your drink a little extra fizz. Designer Chris Mitchell went on to develop the stylised Strong man character brand icon which replaced the older label and is still in use today. Buy your Irn-Bru. It must be the full sugar version (such as 1901) as the diet ones won’t reduce to a syrup. I used a 2 litre bottle which gave me enough to experiment but a 500ml would suffice (& save time) if you’re only using it for one batch of cupcakes. In 2005, rumours circulated in the Scottish Muslim community that Irn Bru contained alcohol, meaning that many of them feared they would no longer be able to continue to drink the beloved soft drink.

The main difference is that you have a slight lemon flavor, along with more sugar. The sugar content can make the drink easier to consume and potentially more enjoyable. Grapefruit Juice The brand has also been the subject of controversy over the years - though this in itself has often led to a boost in Irn-Bru’s visibility. Fresh fruit and freshly squeezed fruit juice are also great places to start with London dry gin mixers. Cranberry juice is another fruit mixer that goes well with gin. Cranberry juice has similar tart notes as grapefruit juice, but with added sweetness.

Adrian Troy, AG Barr Head of Marketing, comments: “It’s clear that the market is changing and consumers want more choice. We’ve listened to this and have worked incredibly hard to not only develop Irn-Bru XTRA, but to make it available to buy this summer.” Surprising as it might seem, orange juice combines with most types of spirit. Gin and orange juice might not be as well known as vodka and orange juice, but the combination still works very well.

Makers Barr's confirmed in 2005 that Irn-Bru contains alcohol after rumours began to circulate in the Scottish Muslim community, meaning many might not be able to continue to enjoy the popular soft drink. While we’re on the topic, soda water is a surprisingly good mixer for gin. You’re basically just diluting the gin and adding in some bubbles. Designed in 1969 as the Barr tartan, by Howe design, it was updated in 1996/97 and redesigned by Kinloch Anderson with the name changed to Irn-Bru tartan.

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The tagline ‘Made in Scotland from girders’ was used to sell Irn-Bru for several years in the 1980s. Bubblegum, tutti-fruity, orange, or cream soda; no one has ever quite managed to describe the exact flavour. Irn-Bru XTRA will be the first permanent new product from Irn-Bru in 35 years and is described as being “full of extra taste” but with “no sugar”. Along with tartan, Nessie and bagpipes, this distinctive orange drink has firmly established itself as a symbol of Scotland - and all that’s great about it. Irn-Bru was born and the rest they say, is history. 2. Barr's sells around 20 cans of Irn Bru every second A time line of Barr's Irn-Bru designs starting in 1901. Picture: Contributed