Oh Sip! Shevoneese McFarlane’s bold move into on-the-go cocktails
Published:Thursday | January 2, 2025 | 12:07 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
For a while, the idea of having a mixed liquor drink in a convenient pouch that is ready to sip was long on the mind of Shevoneese McFarlane. So much so that in late 2024, she set out to establish and register it as Oh Sip!.
McFarlane, who holds a journalism degree and is a digital sales and marketing coordinator for True Pet Food, shared that she felt her career would not be complete without her own mixed drink brand.
According to McFarlane, the unforgettable cocktails, which are crafted in a variety of flavours such as berry fizz, lovers’ leap, green ivy, wicked, island kiss, and love potion, started as part of another potential business idea for her, but it quickly grew into something bigger after sharing her idea with family and friends.
“They pushed me to see the vision, even when I couldn’t see it myself. What started as a side thought has now become my passion,” McFarlane, who graduated from the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) twice with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2014 and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication in 2020, told Food during a recent interview.
“Oh Sip Jamaica brings the party to you with our fun, on-the-go cocktails. We combine the convenience of ready-to-serve pouches with premium, locally sourced ingredients to deliver an unbeatable drink experience. So, whether you’re chilling on the beach, at an event, or just hanging out with friends, our cocktails are crafted for those who want to grab and go, but don’t want to compromise on flavour,” she said.
McFarlane said what makes Oh Sip! stand out is their freshly made cocktails, packed with a unique punch and tropical flavours that capture the vibrant spirit of Jamaica.
“Oh Sip Jamaica is your ultimate on-the-go cocktail companion. We’ve got ready-to-drink cocktails in handy, portable pouches, perfect for anyone who’s always on the move. Whether you’re partying, mingling at events, or just hanging with friends, we’re here to make sure you never miss out on a premium drink. Each sip is a mini-vacation, bringing the taste of the island wherever you are,” the founder and product development manager of the brand told Food.
In less than a month after launching, Oh Sip! has made waves with the cocktails being featured at food and drink events such as Jamaica Food + Drink Festival’s Meet Street, Kingston Artwalk, Soul Sundays, Kingston Curry Fest, and the True Pet Store launch inside Mega Mart.
One might ask McFarlane how the name Oh Sip! came about, and she would tell the story of the initial name idea being Fizz.
“While designing the logo, I found myself torn between ideas, but the more I looked at the character my team nicknamed ‘Fizz’, the more it resonated with me. ‘Fizz’ embodied fun, confidence, and energy, and the name just stuck. Soon, people started using it as a playful expression, much like how we use certain cultural words to convey a variety of emotions. It felt natural, relatable, and undeniably Jamaican, which made it the perfect fit for our brand,” McFarlane explained to Food.
However, in the long run, and after research and testing, she decided on the name Oh Sip!
“I spent a lot of time researching the different drinks I wanted to offer, conducting blind taste tests with friends and family to gather feedback and refine the recipes to suit a variety of palates. One key element I was committed to was ensuring [that] the drinks had vibrant, eye-catching colours that matched their flavours. It was all about creating a sensory experience that looked as good as it tasted,” she said.
Oh Sip! has had a flood of requests for private events, from corporate parties to beach vibes and intimate gatherings, and are now available for purchase at ohsipjamaica.com, with options to deliver to your doorsteps.