AG Barr buys alcohol-free Strykk
The parent company of Funkin Cocktails, AG Barr, has taken full ownership of alcohol-free ‘spirits’ brand Strykk following its initial investment in 2019.
Funkin founders Alex Carlton and Andrew King established Strykk in 2018. The range debuted with Strykk Not Rum and Strykk Not Gin and has since expanded to include a vanilla vodka alternative and a rum alternative.
Scottish soft drink company AG Barr initially took a 20% stake in Strykk’s parent company, Elegantly Spirited, for £1 million (US$1.2m) in 2019.
AG Barr, which also owns soft drinks brands Irn-Bru and Rubicon, confirmed it had purchased the Strykk business in its entirety for an undisclosed sum on 3 June 2025.
In a statement, the founders said the acquisition marked the “next chapter in Strykk’s growth journey and follows a long-standing partnership between the two businesses”.
The statement continued: “AG Barr has been a committed investor in Strykk for several years and a strong believer in both the brand’s potential and the long-term opportunity within the no- and low-alcohol category.
“The move to full ownership will enable Strykk to accelerate its development, broaden distribution and further strengthen its position in the UK’s rapidly expanding no- and low-alcohol market.”
Carlton and King believe AG Barr is “the right long-term home for the brand”.
AG Barr acquired the duo’s previous business, Funkin, for £16.5m (US$21.6m) in 2015. Funkin produces cocktail syrups, purées, mixers and ready-to-drink products.
King and Carlton voluntarily wound up Elegantly Spirited last month, according to documents on Companies House. The business appointed Andrew Hawksworth of insolvency specialist Augusta Kent as its liquidator.
A spokesperson for AG Barr said: “As the category became increasingly competitive, Elegantly Spirited required further capital and it was agreed that AG Barr would take ownership of the Strykk brands.
“Elegantly Spirited has since been wound up by its founders, and AG Barr has no ongoing involvement with the former shareholders. The Strykk brands remain part of our portfolio.”
The Strykk range is currently available to buy on Amazon in the UK.
In 2022, Strykk expanded into the US through a partnership with Beverage Lo-No Distribution.
Earlier this year, AG Barr sold Scottish brand Strathmore Water to Welsh company Tŷ Nant.
Major drinks companies have invested in the non-alcoholic ‘spirits’ sector in recent years. Diageo purchased Ritual Zero Proof in 2024 and category pioneer Seedlip in 2019.
Pernod Ricard has also invested in zero-ABV agave ‘spirit’ Almave, which was co-founded by Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton.
Fellow French firm Rémy Cointreau took a minority stake in alcohol-free producer JNPR Spirits last year.
The alcohol-free sector has been growing steadily for a number of years, boosted by drinkers moderating their consumption.
The no-alcohol ‘spirits’ category rose by 13% in volume globally last year, but from a low base, according to IWSR data. The segment is forecast to increase by 10% in 2025 and by 9% in 2026.
The US and Brazil are expected to drive future growth of the no-alcohol category.
Related news
