Award-winning mixing brand eyes US launch

Double Dutch Drinks is hoping to launch in the US after winning a coveted award at Richard Branson’s Virgin StartUp Foodpreneur Festival Awards last week.

Twin sisters Raissa and Joyce de Haas are the founders of Double Dutch Drinks

The premium, low-calorie spirits mixer brand, founded by Dutch twin sisters Raissa and Joyce de Haas, was named winner in the retail category of the awards.

The firm will now receive a mentoring package to help it scale up and launch in the US with training from the UKTI as part of the UK Government’s Exporting is Great campaign, which aims to inspire 100,000 new businesses to export by 2020.

Double Dutch has the opportunity to meet buyers at Target Corporation in the US, which is seeking up to four new products to trial in its American stores.

Winners in the Retail and Street Food categories were announced during a live showcase at London’s The Vinyl Factory by a panel of judges, including Ella’s Kitchen founder Paul Lindley, Urban Food Fest founder Jessica Tucker, Appear Here founder Ross Bailey as well as Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson.

Virgin StartUp, founded by Branson, is a not-for-profit company providing support and funding for entrepreneurs.

Launched just a few months ago, Double Dutch Drinks’ portfolio currently consists of Cucumber and Watermelon, and Pomegranate and Basil flavours.

“Our objective has been to find and create unique, counter-intuitive and delicious flavour combinations,” said Raissa de Haas. “We loved the idea of pairing unusual combinations of flavours, to ensure the perfect balance for our mixers which also complement quality spirits, creating a unique drink for the consumer with exceptional taste.”

Double Dutch is planning to launch a traditional Indian slimline tonic before the end of this month and is also “experimenting with more flavour combinations” for future releases.