Bab Louie: India’s Premium Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Premixes for Home Bars

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

Covid19 changed everyone’s idea of ‘chilling out’. As bars got shut, Rishabh Bhatia identified a business opportunity – cocktail lovers still needed their favourite drinks! Eyeing mixology enthusiasts, Bhatia quit his job and pursued his passion for premixes and drinks, launching Bab Louie & Co in 2020. The company delivers premium cocktail premixes crafted with ancestral American recipes to enhance your home bartending experience.

Bab Louie Founder Rishabh Bhatia

“From the first order of a pitcher to selling 2,000 bottles of premixes in just 75 days, it has been a thrilling journey,” says Bhatia. “Our premixes and bitters use roots, barks, berries, herbs, and spices. Essentially, these are botanical mixes that elevate cocktails even if you’re not a professional mixologist,” he adds.

Bab Louie Founder Rishabh Bhatia

Soon, Bab Louie expanded beyond taste to introduce Bar Kits, Pitchers, and Bitters. “With bar-hopping declining, we aimed to make home bars perfect,” adds the young entrepreneur. Excerpts from the interview:

When did your passion for cocktails begin?

It all started in London during a marketing course. I developed a taste for cocktails and explored bars to understand trends. I experimented with new flavours in my kitchen and shared them with friends. Their appreciation inspired the launch of Bab Louie.

Bab Louie Bitters

How supportive were your parents?

Initially, there was little support, which was natural given the unconventional business. I worked clandestinely after office hours. As Bab Louie gained recognition and revenue, my parents saw its potential and became supportive.

Challenges encountered along the way

Learning recipes, supply chains, bottle types, and crafting premium mixes were major challenges. We collaborate with mixologists and experts to continuously improve our products and maintain high standards.

Certifications and Quality Assurance

All Bab Louie products are FSSAI approved. We produce small batches (max 100 litres) to ensure quality. Using 15 select botanicals, our mixers provide authentic, non-alcoholic flavours that preserve the essence of each drink.

Unique positioning of Bab Louie

Bab Louie is India’s only brand offering handcrafted non-alcoholic cocktail bitters, a market dominated by foreign alcoholic brands. Our products celebrate Indian-grown herbs and spices, offering both flavour and wellness benefits.

Bab Louie Classic Margarita Cocktail Premix

Product outreach

Bab Louie uses a flexible D2C model, connecting directly with cocktail enthusiasts. Our mantra, “Add Soul to your Spirit”, educates and engages customers while promoting unique permutations and combinations for home cocktails.

USP of Bab Louie products

We deliver premium non-alcoholic cocktail mixers crafted from high-quality ingredients, with no synthetic additives or preservatives. Bottles feature sturdy wooden corks, preserving flavour and elegance for home bars. Pricing aligns with high-end beverages, suitable for bar shelves.

Future plans

Over the next five years, we aim to strengthen our foundation, expand our product range, and continue innovating in home bartending solutions, making Bab Louie a household name for cocktail enthusiasts.