Ready-to-drink cocktail company Sophisticated Cocktail Co has launched with four premium cocktails in 1.5 litre and 750 millilitre stand-up pouches.
Founder and CEO Vicki Lyon was frustrated with the number of ingredients and tools needed to make cocktails at home. The range currently features Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Pina Colada and Espresso Martini.
Lyon said RTD cocktails have come a long way in recent years. “In the past, most of what was available on the market were sugary, syrupy concoctions, loaded with chemical flavourings and in packages that landed up as landfill.
Consumers today still value convenience, but they’re looking for cleaner products that allow them to enjoy a few drinks, without feeling like the health, wellness and environmental trade-offs are too onerous,” Lyon said.
The range is made with local ingredients and premium producers where possible, including Mr Black, St Ali Coffee, East Coast Beverages, the GO.OD Drop and other small batch distilleries.
That decision was also part of the company’s sustainability goals and commitment to keeping its carbon footprint low.
Lyon also opted to use AstraPouch stand up pouches – yes, goon bags, that are made from recycled material and have an 80 per cent lower carbon footprint than their glass bottle equivalent.
“They look good, are easy to carry, fridge friendly, easy to pour and stay fresh for up to six weeks, and that is with fresh limes and no added sugar.
“But I knew I needed to do more when the glass bottles from suppliers – like the Mexican tequila for the Tarti Margi margarita – started to pile up,” she said.
Lyon partnered with Proof & Company to access its ecoSPIRITS distribution technology. The collaboration allows Lyon to purchase spirits in large format containers which can be returned and reused.
EcoSPIRITS is an innovative closed-loop distribution system that nearly eliminates packaging waste in the premium spirits supply chain. By reducing packaging and transport costs, ecoSPIRITS provides a cost advantage and a smaller carbon footprint.
Lyon said: “In 2020, the world produced 40 billion glass spirit bottles, generating 22 million tons of carbon emissions. With each bottle eliminated, ecoSPIRITS saves at least 550 grams of carbon emissions, meaning that every cocktail or spirit pour saves 30 grams of emissions.”
With COVID-19 reviving alcohol consumption at home, and more locally based holidays and entertaining as restrictions have eased, a fancy goon bag has opened a new market. The 1.5 litre bags serve 13-15 drinks.
Sophisticated Cocktail Co pouches are sold online and at selected independent alcohol stores at RRP $59-$89.
