The Big Manx Feast, which took place over the weekend, gave businesses from across the island an opportunity to showcase its produce and introduce themselves to new audiences.

Among those taking part was Kiki’s Lounge, based on North Quay in Douglas, which has become known for putting its own twist on cocktails while incorporating Manx flavours and ingredients.

The business had a stall at this weekend’s celebration of Manx produce in Noble’s Park, using the event to launch its latest venture – ‘Kiki Pops’.

Think BuzzBallz, but with a distinctly Manx twist.

The new range of ready-to-drink canned cocktails has been developed and produced in-house at Kiki’s Lounge, with a focus on using local ingredients and working with Manx suppliers.

It is the latest development for the business, which has continued to expand its offering while maintaining a focus on celebrating local produce.

Kiki’s Lounge co-owner Jamie Lewis said the idea for takeaway cocktails had first emerged during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when the business began delivering cocktails island-wide.

He said: ‘We entered into the first circuit-breaker two months after Kiki’s opened and we managed to pay our rent by delivering cocktails island-wide.’

However, the Kiki Pops brand itself only came about around three weeks ago, as the team were finalising its plans for the Big Manx Feast.

Jamie said the idea of giving customers something to take home had been discussed for some time, while the business had also been considering purchasing a canning machine.

‘We had a “screw it” moment and ordered the machine.’

The team then brought in local designer Ben Thornton from COURTESY to create a 1990s-inspired, nostalgia-driven identity for the range.

Three cocktails from Kiki’s ‘Greatest Hits’ collection have been adapted for canning, allowing customers to enjoy some of the bar’s existing favourites away from the venue.

The three flavours are ‘Kiki, Do You Love Me?’; ‘Cos Tonight Bby, I Wanna Get Kiki Wit’ U’; and ‘H-H-Honey Swizzle’.

Co-owner Drew Fleming said the idea was to bring the Kiki’s experience into customers’ homes.

He said: ‘You can have Kiki’s obviously in the bar, but now you can have it in your fridge as well. You can have it whilst you watch crap TV, or maybe with a sunset at Peel.’

Local ingredients are a key part of the range, with Bushy’s Spirits supplying Manx gin, rum and vodka.

Drew said: ‘The Honey Swizzle is a mixture of Bushy’s vodka, Manx elderflower, Manx crab apples from my girlfriend’s garden, and Manx honey. It’s quality as well as accessibility.’

The business also partnered with Foraging Vintners to offer the drinks on tap at the Big Manx Feast.

Jamie said the cans had also been selected with sustainability in mind, being made using recycled plastic and designed to be fully recyclable.

Further flavours are planned for the range, with the official launch set for October through Kiki’s Lounge and its website.

Wholesale sales are also hoped to follow later in the year, with the team looking to expand Kiki Pops beyond the bar and potentially beyond the island in the future.

Jamie said: ‘We’ll be developing new flavours to the range in time, and we’ll always be pushing to keep things as Manx as possible.’