Non-alcoholic drink shakes up party scene in custom bottle

It’s that time of the year where everyone comes together for company parties and holiday gatherings; however, not every partygoer partakes in adult beverages which can sometimes make one feel singled out. Now there is no need to draw that unwanted attention with Mocktails—colorful, exotic-looking non-alcoholic drinks shaken and served from a cocktail shaker into those same cocktail glasses as everyone else. And for those who enjoy libations, liquor can be added before serving up.

Founder Bill Gamelli partnered with TricorBraun to create the packaging for Mocktails. The shaker body is glass, for a variety of reasons: consumers consider glass as a chic packaging material, which reflects positively on the product, and glass lets the consumer see the beverage through the package. The bottle, following the hot filling process, is sealed with a metal threaded closure. The polypropylene (PP) dispensing lid and separate top cap snap securely over the metal closure and the complete package is then sealed in a colorful full body shrink label. The label is perforated just below the closure, so that, after opening, the colorful label remains on the bottle.

“Almost half of all U.S. adults are non-drinkers,” says Gamelli. “The reason may be temporary, such as pregnancy or an illness, or may be a permanent lifestyle choice based on health considerations or religious beliefs. Even those who do drink alcohol will occasionally abstain because they are driving or need a clear head to conduct business. We wanted to offer these people the chance to enjoy a party or special occasion without feeling ‘different’ because they weren’t drinking.”

“For Mocktails,” he adds, “these people constitute a significant untapped consumer group.”

Mocktails are packaged in colorful 21-oz cocktail shakers, each containing 18 oz of beverage, or 4 servings. The consumer opens the bottle, adds ice—and alcohol if preferred—applies the shaker top and shakes to cool the drink, then serves.

The four drinks created by Gamelli are the Karma Sucra Cosmopolitan, the Vida Loca Margarita, the Sevilla Red Sangria and the Scottish Lemonade Whiskey Sour. Each Mocktail is all natural with no preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup and are low calorie. They are also gluten free, allergen free, BPA free, made in the U.S.A. and kosher.

“We are new to the packaging industry,” Gamelli adds, “and needed a lot of assistance. TricorBraun’s specialists have been with us from the very beginning, guiding us through the challenges and advising us as we made packaging decisions.”

TricorBraun designed, developed and supplies the custom glass bottle, the 77mm metal threaded closure and the PP shaker cap and its cap. The shrink sleeves are made by 21^st Century Labels.