The business of alcohol deliveries, including pre-mixed drinks/cocktails, has flourished during lockdown due in part to the temporary covid deregulation authorising of sales where it wasn’t already allowed.
If you sell drinks/cocktails that you mix on your licensed premises to customers for consumption off the premises you could attract the attention of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for selling pre-mixed drinks/cocktails without a compounder’s licence.
If you distinctly alter the character or flavour of a spirit with another substance, other than water, but don’t use a still to do so, you need a compounder’s licence. This is necessary even if you have a premises licence which permits off-sales.
This doesn’t include drinks mixed solely for consumption on licensed premises nor does it apply to unmixed spirits sold for mixing at home.
Anyone selling pre-mixed drinks/cocktails is advised to seek a compounder’s licence from HMRC without delay or risk fines being levied. Read the details on this and apply for a compounder’s licence.
