Gladiators, comedians, vinegar and a new way to hydrate

 Celebrity spirits are 10 a penny nowadays. Celebrity wines are commonplace.

But how about celebrity canned hydrating drinks? 

Comedian and wine lover Merrick Watts is putting his weight behind Posca Hydrate - a fizzy sports drink that he has just launched in Australia. 

The blurb tells me Posca Hydrate has been "reinvented by Merrick Watts to hydrate modern-day warriors and health-conscious consumers". 

I'm assured that "combining ancient wisdom with modern science", Posca Hydrate is Australia’s first sugar-free sparkling hypertonic drink in a can – an alternative to traditional sports drinks, with zero  sugar, all-natural ingredients and 100% stimulant-free.

Posca Hydrate apparently has a hypertonic formulation, enriched with four essential electrolytes and boosted with the addition of red wine vinegar, a rich source of antioxidants.

The original Posca recipe dates back to ancient Rome, and was widely regarded at the time as the beverage of choice of soldiers and gladiators. 

“Over the past 10 or so years, I’ve become a self-confessed health and fitness nut and like many of us, I have been disappointed with the lack of sugar-free, all-natural sports drink options available on the market," co-founder Watts says. 

"Aussies are increasingly becoming more health conscious and searching for a better alternative to stay hydrated - without a crash, without sugar, without stimulants, without regrets. 

“It was during the depths of the Covid lockdown of 2021 that I came across the original Posca recipe and its fascinating stories, buried in the [online] history books. It got me thinking that there is a thing or two we can learn about hydration and health from the ancient world. 

"Given Posca was the drink of actual gladiators, there is no doubt it is the original sports drink.”

In 2021, leveraging his expertise in liquid formulations and understanding of beverage balance from his wine knowledge, Watts created his first batch of Posca Hydrate. 

Available in three flavours: grape, yuzu and pineapple, Posca Hydrate is available nationwide at major and independent convenience stores, petrol stations and other outlets. A 330ml can costs an RRP of $6.50, or a 12-pack can be purchased at poscahydrate.com for RRP $59 or on Amazon.

The yuzu is very spritzy with tropical flavours to the fore and is definitely my pick of the flavours I sampled. The pineapple is also fun but the grape did not tickle my fancy. 

Meet the comedian who became a wine expert. Seriously!

Merrick Watts is the comedian who became a wine expert - and is now able to combine two of the loves of his life.

Once part of comedy team Merrick and Rosso, he has undergone tasting exercises with leading palates including Mike Bennie and Gary Walsh.

Watts will launch the NSW premiere of his show An Idiot’s Guide to Wine at Brokenwood Wines in the Hunter Valley on Friday, August 26.

Tickets will include a three course-dinner, six wine tastings and a DJ until late.

After a sold-out series of shows at the Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festival, Watts said he’s looking forward to bringing the laughs to Pokolbin.

“This is one of my all-time favourite shows, and Brokenwood is the perfect place for it,” he said.

“It’s a comedy show about wine. People taste wines as I tell jokes about the grapes and their history. As a warning, I should say, some people over the course of the wine tasting have learnt something. That’s accidental.”

Watts proudly holds a WSET 3 wine qualification as evidence of his vinous expertise.

"Brokenwood is one of my favourite wineries in the country and an awesome place to host a show," he said. "I’m excited to share a range of their incredible wines.”

Brokenwood Wines CEO Geoff Krieger says: “Merrick was a huge hit when he hosted our 2021 Graveyard Lunch, we are excited to welcome him back and to push our ‘Enjoy great wine and have fun’ philosophy to its limit!”

For further event information and bookings visit www.grapesofmirth.com.au