Kocktail gets ready for a Cracking Christmas with John Lewis and Waitrose

Kocktail, the award-winning British bottled cocktail producer, is preparing for a very merry festive season with the launch of their new Christmas Cracker Collection. Available exclusively at John Lewis and, for the first time, Waitrose too, this new product line is a major moment for the small business that was founded in 2020.

Andrew Hutchinson, Kocktail Co-Founder said, ‘We have been so proud to supply our drinks to John Lewis for the past 2 years, and it is an absolute honour to create a special Christmas product for them exclusively this year. To then take this product line into Waitrose too is a dream come true. We can’t wait for consumers to discover our very merry crackers this Christmas.’

Daisy Sherwood, John Lewis Buyer said, ‘We're thrilled to be the exclusive stockists of Kocktail's new Christmas crackers. Kocktail is a brand our customers love to see as part of our gifting offer over the festive season.’

Hand poured in Newcastle by Kocktail’s team of expert bartenders, each drink is crafted using only the finest ingredients. From Northumberland’s award-winning Hepple Gin to Italy’s favourite coffee liqueur Caffè Borghetti, these world-class spirits ensure a perfect pour every time. Designed to create a bar quality drink at home, simply shake or stir with ice for the perfect cocktail. Each drink has been poured into a single serve bottle before being encased in a beautifully designed Christmas cracker making it the perfect gift, stocking filler or table dressing.

Emil Evans-Stickland, Kocktail Co-Founder said, ‘Our small team have worked so hard to bring this product to the shelves of Waitrose and John Lewis. From ensuring our recipes are perfect, we’re proud to have won several Great Taste Awards this year, to carefully designing our plastic-free packaging and producing the actual drinks themselves – our office has been like a scene from Santa’s workshop!’

The collection includes a Passionfruit Martini, an Espresso Martini and a Margarita, all sold individually via Waitrose retailing at £8 each. Meanwhile, John Lewis will have individual crackers containing a Negroni, an Espresso Martini and a Passionfruit Martini, also retailing at £8, as well as a set of four crackers which includes an additional Amaretto Sour retailing at £35 for the collection.

About the drinks:

Kocktail’s Passionfruit Martini

Available as an individual cracker in Waitrose and John Lewis (£8 RRP) and also as a part of the Four Cracker set in John Lewis (£35 RRP).

Inspired by one of the world’s most popular cocktails, this Passionfruit Martini is made using a vanilla vodka created especially for Kocktail by the talented team behind Northumberland’s famous Hepple Gin. Balanced by tart passionfruit liqueur and a dash of Aperol, this best-seller delivers a rich and indulgent finish. Kocktail recommend shaking this drink with ice in a cocktail shaker before straining it into a chilled coupé or martini glass.

Kocktail’s Espresso Martini

Available as an individual cracker in Waitrose and John Lewis (£8 RRP) and also as a part of the Four Cracker set in John Lewis (£35 RRP).

Kocktail’s Espresso Martini is carefully crafted using a luxurious mix of vodka and a splash of Italy’s favourite coffee liqueur, Caffè Borghetti, founded in 1860. Finished with cold brew coffee, it’s a sumptuous and creamy drink that is sure to satisfy any Espresso Martini fan. Kocktail recommend shaking this drink with ice in a cocktail shaker before straining it into a chilled coupé or martini glass and garnishing with three coffee beans.

Kocktail’s Margarita

Available as an individual cracker in Waitrose (£8 RRP). 

This classic drink has been hand crafted by Kocktail’s team of talented bar tenders using the internationally renowned Casa San Matias Tequila. One of the oldest family-owned distilleries in Mexico, this very special Tequila ensures a big, bold and flavourful pour every time. To serve, Kocktail recommend shaking with ice before pouring into an ice-filled rocks glass. For an extra flourish, salt the rim of your glass using lime juice and Maldon Sea Salt before adding a wheel of lime.

Kocktail’s Negroni

Available as an individual cracker in John Lewis (£8 RRP) and also as a part of the Four Cracker set in John Lewis (£35 RRP).

Kocktail’s version of the classic ruby red Italian cocktail, the Negroni, is made using Hepple Gin from the remote hills of Northumberland, the true taste of wild juniper! To this they add Carpano - the original vermouth - and finally Campari, the unique bitter taste at the heart of every Negroni. Simply stir with ice in a rocks glass to create the perfect at-home cocktail.

Kocktail’s Amaretto Sour

Available exclusively as a part of the Four Cracker set in John Lewis (£35 RRP).

A modern and sophisticated take on an old classic, Kocktail’s Amaretto Sour contains the obvious glug of the Italian almond-based amaretto liqueur, as well as lemon and sugar syrup but the crucial change comes with the addition of a small splash of the award-winning Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey. The richness of the whiskey balances the sweetness of the amaretto, making the cocktail an intoxicating mix of sweet, sour and nutty flavours. To serve, Kocktail recommend shaking with ice before pouring into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a wheel of freshly cut lemon for a finishing flourish.