Deal’s Karl Wozny has created a unique range of pre-mixed cocktails ready to be delivered to your home

With more than 10 years in the drinks industry, Deal local Karl Wozny, saw the change in how we are all interacting with booze.

Back in early 2019, he launched Cocktail In A Bottle (@cocktailsinabottle) to bring quality pre-mixed cocktails to the trade and into people's homes.

A year on, and propelled by the Covid Lockdown, this niche market quickly became overcrowded and so, Karl has focused on the integrity of his product, to produce cocktails that deliver on flavour and provide a memorable drinking experience with no compromise in quality.

And no-one can argue with the totally unique flavour creations he has devised, from the ‘Fireside Blueberry Cosmo’ to the ‘Rocky Flintstone's Pornstar Martini’.

He has even worked with the front man of legendary festival act The Cuban Brothers on ‘Miguelito's Rum Punch’!

Every cocktail is made fresh, by hand, by Karl, using 100% natural ingredients and premium spirits of the highest quality.

And while his classics, such as the Espresso Martini and Long Island Iced-tea are a mainstay, Karl has equally become known for his eclectic seasonal range! We got in touch with him to find out more.

Hey Karl. Why did you start Cocktail in a Bottle?

When I sold my bar and restaurant in 2018, I wanted to stay in hospitality in order to help bars, restaurants and pubs deliver quality drinking experiences through my pre-mixed cocktails. My business became consumer facing when the pandemic happened.

How do you come up with the flavours?

My brain is constantly thinking about flavour. This is prompted through eating something amazing, or imagining a flavour through being inspired by something I've read or simply dreamt up. Inspiration comes from many different places. e.g I wanted to create a cocktail inspired by the sea, so I used local seaweed, local wild beach fennel and other local foraged ingredients to create something that delivered on that idea. The Sea Mist Sour was born out of that. That drink was shortlisted in a global cocktail competition this year.

Do you do a lot of testing? If so, when can we get involved ;)?

I test every day. The trick is to not swallow too much. It's hard not to! I learnt my lesson early, in that you don't accomplish much when your sozzled and your barometer for flavour and balance kind of goes out of the window. You're welcome to come any time! I'll even let you swallow!

What is in your current Autumn range? And what is your best seller?

This Autumn I have created a Pear Margarita, a Fireside Blueberry Cosmo and Mum's Apple Pie.

Each of those drinks are sensational in their own way and really champion the spirits and ingredients I use. The Pear Margarita uses a tremendous Single Estate Reposado Tequila, and the Cosmo uses a unique Greek spirit called Mastiha made from tree sap that grows solely on the Island of Chios. Mum’s Apple Pie uses a German Rye Whisky, Kent toffee liqueur and of course Kent apple juice. My best selling cocktail is my Singapore Sling. It outsells my Espresso Martini and Pornstar Martini.

What can we expect from the winter/Christmas range?

I have created three delectable and indulgent classic cocktails inspired by Christmas Cake, so we have the World's first Panettone Negroni, Stollen Manhattan and Caribbean Rum Cake Old Fashioned.

Whilst the drinks are true to their origins I use natural ingredients and liqueurs to make them extra incredibly festive and delicious. I mean a Panettone Negroni...Come on!! What's not to love? You can buy these babies in 500ml bottles, a hamper gift set and stocking filler pouches. A cocktail in your stocking has to be the best thing of all, right?

What’s your favourite creation ever?

My two children. But excluding them, every week I think I've created the best drink, so I'm f*cked really :-)
For more information or to order: https://cocktailinabottle.co.uk