'God's nectar' - Irish people crave axed 'nightclub staple' drink from their 'wonder years'

If you did your fair share, or more, of socialising in the 2010s, chances are you've seen or tasted the "God's nectar", with the once-popular nightclub staple from many people's college years since being discontinued.

Irish Reddit users have been reminiscing online after one user's photo sparked a flood of memories and envy.

Launched back in 2013 by Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard with a strong marketing campaign, Zaconey was billed as a "crafted spirit with a twist of American bourbon and natural flavour" and was said to be "inspired by the spirit of 1950s Coney Island and its legendary funfairs and carnivals".

Its non-stop promotional offers in bars and nightclubs across Ireland, particularly college towns, quickly saw it become a fan-favourite amongst its young demographic. Two Zaconey and Coke's for €10, or a fiver apiece after you went splits with your mate, was the perfect pricepoint for the struggling college population - and it was delicious too.

Somewhere towards the end of 2016 the iconic drink was discontinued and while there were still bottles knocking around shop shelves until 2019, now there are just the solitary few remaining bottles scattered behind bar counters across Ireland.

Posting the photo of a full, unopened bottle of Zaconey with the caption "Could this be the last one in Ireland?", Reddit user TBoneMolone set off a chain reaction of people's tales of the once popular drink, and even some bids for the now rare bottle.

One user said: "2 Zaconey and Coke for €10 (I think) in Workman's Dublin. Peak college years!"

Another added: "Man, we really were living in the good days. Nowadays they'd call it a cocktail and you'd be paying €15 for a watered down one."

A third user said: "I was there for the Zaconey and Coke era of Workmans. You'd have karaoke on a sunday, where I would sing 'wuthering heights' by Kate Bush. I remember one Saturday night, I was high as a bald eagle on yolks, I was on the dance floor down stairs which was fully packed, I lit a rollie and almost instantly got kicked out. Honestly this whole time I thought Zaconey was vodka."

Zaconey's fan based even reached the west, with one user adding: "Zaconey and Pepsi in Electric Galway. What a time to be alive gods nectar." 

Another recounted their first experience with the drink: "Had it for the first time when I went to see muse in the 3arena about 10 years ago, hooked on the stuff ever since! Was heartbroken when it was discontinued. Every time I'm in a new pub I check all the shelves for it haha haven't actually been able to buy a bottle in about 3 years.

"Sweet mother of Jesus where did you find that," one user asked, with another replying: "You could probably auction that for a small fortune."