When a brand wins both RTD of the Year and Best Spirit by Package at the Bartender Spirits Awards, it’s more than a feather in the cap — it’s a moment that signals a shift in how we think about ready-to-drink cocktails. Straightaway Cocktails, based in Portland, Oregon, has long taken a craft-first approach to its drinks. But with this double win for their Mai Tai, they’ve made their case on a national stage — not only for the quality of what’s inside the can, but also the power of storytelling and design in elevating the experience.

We sat down with CEO and co-founder Cy Cain and Laura Heavey, Straightaway’s Director of Marketing, to talk about the meaning behind this recognition, the philosophy that guides their packaging, and how they’re navigating expansion while holding fast to their values. From building house-made liqueurs to collaborating with fellow B Corps and flying high with Alaska Airlines, Straightaway’s next chapter looks as spirited as their cocktails.

Image: (left) CEO and co-founder Cy Cain and (right) CPO and co-founder Casey Richwine.

Let’s start with the big win. How are you planning to use this recognition, from both a product and branding standpoint? Will it play into your marketing, retail relationships, or expansion strategy this year?

Well, we will be starting the celebration by toasting with some cocktails for sure!

We are utterly honored by the recognition from the Bartender Spirits Awards. To be recognized by the community of bartenders across the country, who care so deeply about the craft,  is as high an honor as we can imagine. As you can imagine, we will be shouting this one out loudly via our socials and on the shelf. From a branding perspective, this award reinforces what we’ve always believed: that a well-crafted cocktail deserves to be beautifully made and beautifully presented. We’ll be weaving the wins into our marketing storytelling. From retail displays to sales presentations, it’s a compelling proof point as we expand into new regions and engage in conversations with sales partners. For us, this isn’t just a win for the Mai Tai, it’s a win for the category as a whole, showing that canned cocktails can be held to the highest standards.

Image: Straightaway’s Mai Tai Wins both RTD of the Year and Best Spirit by Package at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards.

Your Mai Tai took home the award for Best Spirit by Package. What inspired the design? From shelf presence to storytelling, what did you want the label and bottle to communicate?

Our north star for our design process is always to invite curiosity and hopefully spark a little delight along the way. The Mai Tai’s design, like all our labels, is rooted in storytelling. This one pays homage to the golden era of tropical escapism. We wanted the label to evoke both the transportive nature of the drink, the craftsmanship behind it, but also the feeling it evokes: laid-back, sun-soaked, and full of flavor. The illustration tells a story if you look closely. Our character lounges in a hammock strung between lime wedges, the citrus backbone of the cocktail. His necklace is shaped like an almond, a nod to orgeat. His board shorts are patterned with orange blossom flowers, a subtle reference to the orange liqueur that completes the build.

Where is your Mai Tai currently available — and where would you love to see it next? Are you already in major US retail chains or on restaurant menus? Any international markets in focus?

You can find our Mai Tai in select retailers and independent bottle shops across the U.S., at our own retail stores in Portland & Portland Airport, on our website, delivering to over 40 states, and on menus at cocktail-forward venues that appreciate a high-quality pour without the labor. While we can’t announce this beloved retailer just yet, it will also be launching in about two weeks throughout California. Our Mai Tai made its debut in the U.S. during the 2024 holiday season as part of our 12 Nights of Cocktails in Costco, a big step for us into large-format retail and a great proof point for how we can scale while keeping quality and brand integrity intact. We’re in expansion mode, with a focus on growing in key cocktail-loving markets across the US. 

Image: Laura Heavey, Straightaway’s Director of Marketing; Source: Straightaway.

Tell us about your ideal consumer. Who’s picking up a Straightaway Mai Tai — and how are you reaching them?

Our customers are both cocktail curious and cocktail enchanted, and are happy to have a meticulously batched cocktail for their convenience. They might be a seasoned home bartender who’s out of orgeat, a design lover hunting for branding that speaks to them, or someone who simply wants to sip something delicious without the fuss. They’re adventurous, curious, and care about transparency and craft, and what they’re putting in their glass. We care an unreasonable amount about getting cocktails right. The quality of the liquid pops as we build almost everything in-house. We prioritize partnering local, and we are serious about finding the highest quality ingredients for our cocktails. In fact, in order to get our cocktails right, we build our own line of liqueurs, amaro, and vermouth tailored specifically to make the best version of each cocktail we can. 

Additionally, our consumers seek brands that align with their values, those committed to initiatives like B Corp certification, 1% for the Planet, 1% for Human Rights, and other purpose-driven efforts. They want to feel good about where they are spending their money and can feel confident knowing that a great cocktail is also supporting the planet + people.

We reach them through a mix of social storytelling, in-store presence, event marketing, word-of-mouth, and partnerships with like-minded brands.

Image: Straightaway Cocktails, a Certified B Corporation.

With the RTD category evolving quickly, what do you think makes your Mai Tai stand out? Is it the rum blend, the house-made orange liqueur, or something else altogether?

All of the above, and then some. Our rum blend gives it character you don’t often find at your average bar. We blend Jamaican and West Indies rums for a rich character that plays perfectly with our housemade orange liqueur and real fresh-pressed California citrus juices. Using fresh juice is a massive point of distinction for Straightaway, and the flavor impact straight from the can, or over ice, does wonders to deliver a classic cocktail experience. For the final touches on our Mai Tai, we had a skosh of orange blossom water, and our housemade orgeat, tying it all together with a bright, aromatic lift. It’s a little can of island magic, no shaker required.

As a Certified B Corp, sustainability clearly matters to you. How does that commitment show up in your packaging, production, or sourcing choices?

Being a Certified B Corp is more than a badge; it drives how we make decisions every day so that we can uphold the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility.  Our cans are highly recyclable and produced in the U.S., reducing shipping emissions and supporting domestic manufacturing. We prioritize local sourcing when possible, especially for fresh ingredients and custom syrups. While sourcing globally is sometimes necessary due to spirit regulations, we lean into the creative energy of our hometown maker-city, Portland, to craft components in-house or partner with nearby makers. We make time to consider every opportunity to reduce our footprint, including using compostable cups for sampling and events, keeping hundreds of thousands of plastic sample cups out of landfills.

Beyond our supply chain, we’re also focused on education & transparency. We use our retail spaces, events, and our digital marketing platforms including our new blog, The Bon Vivant, to help customers understand what it means to be a B Corp. Luckily Oregon is rich with fellow B Corps and we love partnering with them on cocktails, events, or distribution, including Brew Dr, Stumptown Coffee, New Seasons, and Sokol Blosser to name a few. We prioritize partnerships & education as an always-on approach to ensure that we’re continually learning and making improvements to our business. 

Image: Straightaway Cocktails proudly collaborated with Brew Dr Kombucha, LGBTQ+ Outdoors, and Rivian to support the Tualatin Riverkeepers. Source: Straightaway.

When it comes to working with importers and distributors, how do you support them? Do you offer programs, marketing toolkits, or activations to help move product and build brand recognition?

Definitely. We see our distributors as true partners, and we do everything we can to help the product move and the brand stick. That includes market visits, customized sales tools, educational materials, tasting support, and full marketing toolkits. We also love a good activation, whether that’s an educational event, a community event, or simply showing up to sample and engage directly.

We take pride in partnering with like-minded organizations within our distributor states that put people and true like-minded cause marketing at the forefront.  This can be something as simple as sampling at a state-level pride event to sponsoring a major festival where a portion of the proceeds go back to the organizations (the Oregon Bee Project, Urban Gleaners, LGBTQ+ organizations, etc.).  In turn, this enables us to continue our local  “grass roots” approach to building brand equity and getting “sips to lips” that drive our customers to engage with us and build true lasting fans! 

We love rolling up our sleeves when engaging in a market and getting in the weeds!  Our brands are found across the country, which entails us learning the ins/outs of each individual state where we are growing and expanding.  Count us in for long distributor work-withs - understanding how the local distributor goes to market each day (long drives, walking, subways, biking, scooters, you name it, we are in!) In addition to conducting market demos to show support to the local accounts that have invested their hard-earned money into carrying our brands, and ensuring we show them success.

Image: Team Straightaway.

What’s next for Straightaway? Are you expanding the RTD range, growing into new markets, or exploring collaborations in the near future?

Collaborations continue to be a cornerstone of how we grow and create. We recently joined forces with Sokol Blosser Winery, a wonderful second-generation Willamette Valley Winery and fellow B Corp brand, to craft a sparkling French 77 wine spritz, a vibrant nod to Oregon winemaking and cocktail culture. Additionally, we loved partnering with our local hero Portland Pickles baseball team for the launch of the Pickletini, a briny, bubbly twist on the classic Martini featuring our double gold-winning Accompani Dry Vermouth, and a house-made pickle brine.

You’ll also find Straightaway in the skies: our partnership with Alaska Airlines is just taking off, with more of our cocktails joining their in-flight offerings soon. We’re excited about what’s ahead with this partner and look forward to sharing more as it unfolds. We have your Southeast flying and sipping needs covered as well with our good friends at Breeze Airlines, where you can also enjoy our cocktails on board.

On the retail side, we’re building on the success of our 12 Nights of Cocktails in Costco with the launch of a Volume 2 edition for the holidays this year, featuring four all-new cocktails we are really excited to introduce. We’re also popping up in more music venues and festivals, making it easier than ever to enjoy a Straightaway cocktail while taking in a great show while dancing on the floor, or on the grass.

We have built and released 16 new cocktails over the past year, and have more magic up our sleeves that we can’t wait to share for the next 12 months.

Image: Twelve Nights of Cocktails.

CONCLUSION

Straightaway’s trajectory is not built on volume or virality but on vision — one rooted in design, transparency, and a deep respect for the cocktail itself. Whether it’s a briny martini made for a baseball crowd or a rum-forward Mai Tai poured mid-flight, each project feels intentional, anchored by a belief that convenience should never come at the cost of character. With more cocktails in the pipeline, growing retail partnerships, and an eye on thoughtful collaborations, Straightaway seems poised to keep surprising both the industry and consumers, one can at a time.

In conversation with Malvika Patel, Editor and VP, Beverage Trade Network

Also Read:
Aperitif Spritz by Strongwater Named Non-Alcoholic of the Year — Behind the Brand’s Vision
Nativo Bosque Gin Takes Home Best Spirit Award at the 2025 International Bartender Spirits Awards
Best Spirit by Value: Verità Vodka’s Recognition at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards