UK pub giant, Stonegate Group, has listed two RTD cocktails specially for Pride month, with 10p from every can sold going to LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall Housing.
The cocktails come from The Drinks Bureau, which launched in November 2023, offering a range of ‘award-winning and bar-quality cocktails’ in cans and bag-in-box formats.
The Drinks Bureau’s Pride listing with Stonegate involves two limited edition flavours – a ‘Dirty Shirley’ and a non-alcoholic Shirley Temple – now being served across over 1100 bars, pubs and clubs nationwide.
The money raised from the sale of each can will got to support Stonewall Housing, the national charity that helps LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness or living in an unsafe environment.
The Drinks Bureau was developed by founder, entrepreneur, mixologist, and cocktail innovator Frankie Snobel, who commented: “We are very excited to be a part of Pride this year with The Shirleys, bringing cocktail joy nationwide and donating to an amazing cause.
“My family has experienced homelessness first hand, so I know how lifechanging charity support can be and how easily people can unexpectedly be in need.”
Packaged in a vibrant red 250ml can at 5% vol, the vegan and allergen-free RTD’s are said to be crafted with quality ingredients, flavour-packed, and ‘the perfect little treat to celebrate Pride and give to an amazing cause’.
Founded in 1983, the Stonewall Housing provides specialist housing advice, advocacy, and support for LGBTQ+ people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with specialisms in mental health, domestic abuse, substance abuse and supported accommodation.
Since its inception, the charity has helped over 40,000 marginalised and vulnerable LGBTQ+ people.
Stonewall Housing CEO, Steven McIntyre said: “I am just delighted that The Drinks Bureau and Stonegate Group are partnering with us to help to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ homelessness and of course much needed funds for the charity.
“Every single day we see more and more LGBTQ+ people finding themselves homeless and it is not an exaggeration to say we simply couldn’t do our work without our incredible supporters. On behalf of the 3300 LGBTQ+ people we worked with last year, thank you.”
Chief commercial officer at Stonegate Group, Melissa Wisdom, said: “Here at Stonegate Group, our mission is all about bringing people together. And what better way to do that than by raising a glass to celebrate Pride?
“We’re beyond excited to team up with The Drinks Bureau to introduce the Dirty Shirley and Shirley Temple cocktails across our pubs, bars and venues as part of our Serving with Pride campaign.
“These drinks not only taste delicious but also serve a noble cause. With every sip, we’re not just celebrating diversity and inclusion; we’re also making a tangible difference in supporting Stonewall Housing’s crucial work for the LGBTQ+ community.”
The Shirleys will be listed at select wholesalers, including LWC, Matthew Clark, DrinksOne and Hammonds of Knutsford. 10p from every can of Shirley Temple and Dirty Shirley sold between late-May through to the end of August, across on-trade and off-trade, will be donated by The Drinks Bureau to Stonewall Housing.
