Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What regulatory requirements must UK RTD cocktail brands meet to legally use tequila in their products?
The Tequila Regulatory Council (TRC) is actively enforcing strict rules on tequila use in ready-to-drink cocktails in the UK market. Brands are being contacted directly and required to comply or face enforcement action. **Key requirements:** - **CRT (Consejo Regulador del Tequila) authorisation** is mandatory for any brand using tequila in RTD cocktails. Without it, you cannot legally use the product or the term "tequila" in marketing. - **Affidavit requirement**: Brands being contacted are being asked to sign an affidavit confirming they will cease using tequila in cocktail formulations and remove tequila terminology from social media and marketing materials if they do not have authorisation. - The TRC is treating this as a priority enforcement area in the UK, where many brands are currently non-compliant. **Practical next steps:** - Contact the TRC early to understand your specific product's compliance status and to explore obtaining authorisation if needed. - Members recommend speaking with experienced contacts who have navigated this process (e.g., Nav Grewal at Vivir Tequila has recent direct experience with TRC discussions and can advise). - Do not assume existing tequila RTD products are compliant; the TRC has been enforcing these rules in other markets (notably Australia) and is now targeting the UK. **Warning**: Being blacklisted by the TRC carries serious commercial risk. Brands that do not comply face potential removal from retailer shelves and legal action.
What are the best canning services for small-run cocktail RTD production in the UK?
Members recommend contacting specialist canners directly for small-format runs (100–125ml cans). **Point Cocktails** and **The M That Can** (themthatcan.com) have both been mentioned as options capable of handling small batch cocktail canning. These appear to be the go-to contacts for producers looking to can ready-to-drink cocktails in limited quantities. Contact them directly to discuss your specific volume and format requirements.
Where can founders source co-packers for pre-batched cocktail production?
Several members in the community offer contract manufacturing services for pre-batched cocktails in bottles: - **Bone Idyll** — Contact Sam@boneidyll.co.uk for co-packing inquiry - **Mothership Scotland** — The team behind Bramble offer pre-batched cocktail production; visit mothershipscotland.com for details - **Custom Spirit** — Contact Callum@customspirit.co for co-packing services Members recommend reaching out directly to these suppliers to discuss your specific requirements and production volumes.
What information should be included in a technical composition sheet for an RTD cocktail product?
A technical sheet for an RTD cocktail should include the following core details: - **Ingredients list** — full disclosure of all component ingredients - **Allergens** — clear allergen declaration - **ABV** — alcohol by volume - **Density** — product density specification - **Shelf life** — expiration and storage conditions - **Vegan/Natural/other claims** — any marketing or dietary claims made on the product - **GMO statement** — GMO status declaration - **Description of colour and taste profile** — sensory descriptors for the product - **Production site address** — manufacturing location for traceability and regulatory purposes Members note that requirements can vary depending on the retailer or distributor requesting the sheet, so it's worth confirming the specific format and additional fields they need before submission.