Company: VnC (distributed by Whyte & Mackay)
Rsp: £11.95
Competition: Smirnoff Perfect Pour, Tails, Sun Beach Cocktails
The sell: Ready-to-serve cocktails that take the hassle out of making them from scratch, but still claim to taste like the bar-made version, owing to natural fruit content.
The consumer
It tastes quite nice; like a Mojito, although with more of a lime flavour, and I didn't get much vodka. The bottle doesn't look like a drink, more like a can of toilet freshener. It's not that expensive, but would I buy it? No. I'd be more likely to get a bottle of vodka and make it myself, making my money go further. Besides, part of the fun of cocktails is making them. Two stars (out of five)
Jamie Simpson, wakeboard importer and salesman, London
This product has managed to capture a really fresh taste, which is tricky for a premixer. However, with no brand behind it, I think it will be an uphill slog to compete with the likes of Bacardi and Smirnoff. Although pricing is in line with the market at £9.99 when promoted, I don't think it offers particularly good value for money. A VnC cocktail costs consumers almost as much as a bottle of spirit. Three stars
Amy Bird, assistant trading manager, Spar UK
The Grocer
One of the category's challenges is trying to make a ready-made product taste fresh, and VnC has risen to this challenge with style. The drink did, however, lack the strong alcoholic kick you would expect from a Mojito. Its pricing and strength make the offering competitive when compared with Smirnoff Perfect Pour and recently launched Tails, but I think the packaging cheapens it slightly. Four stars
Anna-Marie Julyan, food and drink reporter
Rsp: £11.95
Competition: Smirnoff Perfect Pour, Tails, Sun Beach Cocktails
The sell: Ready-to-serve cocktails that take the hassle out of making them from scratch, but still claim to taste like the bar-made version, owing to natural fruit content.
The consumer
It tastes quite nice; like a Mojito, although with more of a lime flavour, and I didn't get much vodka. The bottle doesn't look like a drink, more like a can of toilet freshener. It's not that expensive, but would I buy it? No. I'd be more likely to get a bottle of vodka and make it myself, making my money go further. Besides, part of the fun of cocktails is making them. Two stars (out of five)
Jamie Simpson, wakeboard importer and salesman, London
This product has managed to capture a really fresh taste, which is tricky for a premixer. However, with no brand behind it, I think it will be an uphill slog to compete with the likes of Bacardi and Smirnoff. Although pricing is in line with the market at £9.99 when promoted, I don't think it offers particularly good value for money. A VnC cocktail costs consumers almost as much as a bottle of spirit. Three stars
Amy Bird, assistant trading manager, Spar UK
The Grocer
One of the category's challenges is trying to make a ready-made product taste fresh, and VnC has risen to this challenge with style. The drink did, however, lack the strong alcoholic kick you would expect from a Mojito. Its pricing and strength make the offering competitive when compared with Smirnoff Perfect Pour and recently launched Tails, but I think the packaging cheapens it slightly. Four stars
Anna-Marie Julyan, food and drink reporter
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