Meet The Founder: The Bottle Cocktail Shop
The Bottle Cocktail Shop at Islington Square is a warm, contemporary space that seamlessly blends boutique bottle shop and intimate cocktail bar — all shaped by founder Ciaran’s vision.
We had the pleasure to speak with Ciaran to gain deeper insight into his professional journey and the inspiration behind the creation of The Bottle Cocktail Shop.
Can you tell us the story behind your brand and what inspired you to start?
The Bottle Cocktail Shop was born from years spent owning bars and working in high end luxury hospitality, seeing first-hand both the magic and the pressure that comes with delivering great cocktails night after night. For a long time, bottled cocktails had a bad reputation in venues and rightly so. Most were built for purely for marketing, not the guest experience, not real service, and they simply didn’t deliver on taste or consistency.
But the idea wasn’t wrong the execution was.
Behind every bar, the same challenges exist: consistency, speed, staff capability, and margin. When bottled cocktails are done properly, they solve all four. That’s what inspired mw. We set out to create bottled cocktails built specifically for hospitality which can easily transfer to at home drinking / retail, using proper specs, premium ingredients, and flavour profiles that stand up in a live service environment.
Quality bottled cocktails remove the variables. Every serve tastes exactly as intended. They speed up service during peak times, increase throughput, and ease pressure on teams without compromising the guest experience. Most importantly, they allow venues and at home drinkers deliver premium cocktails without relying on highly skilled bartenders on every service.
The Bottle Cocktail Shop exists to prove that bottled cocktails aren’t a shortcut when done right, they’re a smarter system.
What goes into creating your speciality cocktails?
Every cocktail starts with research, tasting, and intention. We focus on classic cocktails people already love, then refine them using premium spirits, balanced flavour profiles, and innovative techniques like our bespoke acid blend. Importantly, we test everything in our own bar, listening to real customer feedback before scaling.
Consistency, freshness, and drinkability are key — each cocktail must work perfectly whether it’s poured behind a bar, from a keg, or enjoyed at home
Do you have a signature cocktail that represents your brand or your journey so far?
The Spicy Margarita is a perfect representation of what The Bottle Cocktail Shop stands for. It delivers bold, confident flavour with zero compromise on quality, proving that convenience doesn’t have to come at the expense of taste.
What’s next for your business, and what are you most excited about in the coming year?
We’re focused on scaling our on-trade wholesale offering while continuing to grow online. The introduction of seasonal and carbonated RTDs is something we’re particularly excited about, as it allows us to keep the range fresh and relevant. We’re also investing in partnerships, in venue to bring a new bar menu to life. Longer term, international expansion particularly into the US is firmly on the roadmap.
What does Islington mean to you personally, and why was it important to build your business there?
Islington represents creativity, diversity, and a strong sense of community values that align perfectly with The Bottle Cocktail Shop. It’s an area with a deep appreciation for good food, drink, and independent businesses.