British multinational alcoholic beverages company Diageo is bringing the Smirnoff vodka brand into the cider category.

Smirnoff will launch two fruit-flavoured vodka-spiked ciders in August.

Initially, the ciders will be available in two flavours; Raspberry & Pomegranate and Passionfruit & Lime.

"We’re confident Smirnoff will take cider to the next level."

Smirnoff Cider will carry a pricetag of £1.99 for the off-trade, and a recommended retail price of £4.50 for the on-trade.

Diageo GB innovation commercialisation manager Claire O’Neill was quoted by Bbarmagazine.co.uk as saying: "There have been a number of innovations into the fruit cider category over the last few years, and as the market continues to grow in both the on and off-trade channels, we still see that there is potential to grow the category even further.

"By entering into the fruit cider category under the strength of the Smirnoff brand name, and with two original flavour offerings, we’re confident Smirnoff will take cider to the next level."

The launch of these ciders will be supported by out-of-home, social media and digital promotional campaigns.

The announcement of new launches comes almost a year after the launch of Pimm’s Cider Cup, a cider from Diageo.

With the launch of ciders under Smirnoff brand, the firm plans to tap the £2.7bn cider market of the UK.