Spam cocktails are the trendy new thing at London restaurants

The situation is so bad in the United Kingdom that people are drinking Spam-based cocktails.

OK, so maybe the Spamarita and other Spam-tastic items appeared on menus across England and Europe before yesterday's vote in favor of the U.K. exiting the European Union's single economy system that sent global markets spiraling.

But it seems fitting that Spam, the hallmark product of Austin, Minn.-based Hormel Foods and a product synonymous with hard times, is gaining popularity in parts of Europe where the everlasting canned meat was shipped during World War II.

Spam gained prominence as a wartime food when more than 100 million pounds of its luncheon meat was shipped to Europe in 1941 to feed the allied troops. The EU was formed as a response to the devastation of that war.

For £11 (or about $15), a diner can sip a Spamarita -- which is served in a pseudo Spam can -- at Jinjuu, a Korean-fusion restaurant in London. The cocktail's key ingredient is the Spam-infused Ocho tequila, which is mixed with mezcal, agave nectar, pineapple and fresh lime.

Hormel spokesman Rick Williamson said the use of Spam products "is a craze that appears to be growing in Europe." In addition to the Spamarita, he said, there's another Spam cocktail being served at another establishment in the city and a restaurant in London's east end, called Pond, serving Spam fries.

"Spam appears on menus across the United States in fine dining establishments, food trucks and pizza restaurants," wrote Williamson in an email. "We are capitalizing on this craze across the country with our second annual SPAMERICAN! Tour."

Closer to home, Spam is a popular ingredient in many of the adventurous new food offerings at the upcoming Minnesota State Fair.