WITH a cocktail shaker in hand and a vision in mind, Keretia Whyte has stirred her passion into something far more spirited, Bubbles, Bottles, Brews and Beverages. The woman-led mobile cocktail bar is shaking up event spaces, known for its handcrafted cocktails and mocktails.

“I am here to redefine anybody’s event,” Whyte said confidently in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Motivated by the urge to create something she hadn’t seen done locally and driven by a desire to do something for herself, Whyte knew the time was right. With more than 10 years of experience as a mixologist, she felt her skills were refined, her knowledge solid, and the opportunity clear. In November 2024, she officially launched Bubbles, Bottles, Brews, and Beverages, a mobile beverage experience designed to deliver bar-quality service wherever the demand arises. The business operates from a fully functional mobile bar unit, styled like a food truck but outfitted with all the tools and equipment needed to craft cocktails and mocktails. Its first major event was the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, where the reception from patrons affirmed Whyte’s decision to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Prior to launching the business, Whyte would frequently receive requests to provide private mixology services at events, opportunities she welcomed as additional income. However, she often found that many of these set-ups lacked proper infrastructure, with makeshift bars constructed from boards and limited resources on location. That gap sparked the idea for a mobile bar, something that could be both functional and visually appealing. It was this vision that ultimately brought Bubbles, Bottles, Brews, and Beverages to life.

“This is something I’ve been working on for over three years. It’s not something that just came up, because we have to do a full customisation on the vehicle; we are on the phone day and night with China,” she told the Sunday Finance.

Bringing the mobile unit to life was one of the most challenging but also most rewarding parts of Whyte’s journey. Passionate about getting every detail right, she designed the vehicle from scratch, with a focus on both ease of use and aesthetics. Unknown to her at the time, the customisation was so unique that representatives from the manufacturing company in China admitted they had never built anything like it before.

“My daughter was the one who sketched the design for me initially, and then when I sent it over to China, they did a digital sketch,” she shared. “It took me six to eight months to get the vehicle in Jamaica.”

The entire set-up required a start-up investment of $5 million. Just a month after the mobile unit touched down, Bubbles, Bottles, Brews, and Beverages made its debut at the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, giving Whyte the momentum to take on more events, including brunches, the recent Kingston Kitchen at Hope Gardens, and the MAX Business Expo at Devon House. Though still juggling her regular job while building the business, Whyte said the decision to fully transition into entrepreneurship came unexpectedly.

“Something upset me at work, and I said, ‘You know what, this is the end of it for me.’ I’d rather deal with the frustration in my own business than put up with theirs,” she said bluntly.

Now two months into full-time entrepreneurship, Whyte is energised by the opportunities and creative freedom. From the outset, Bubbles, Bottles, Brews, and Beverages was built on variety and inclusivity. The beverage line-up features something for everyone: mocktails for children and non-alcoholic drinkers, brews for coffee lovers, and bottles for those who enjoy alcoholic options, as well as infused waters, lemonades, and fizzy fruit blends. This broad offering makes the service versatile and adaptable to a wide range of events. With a forward-thinking approach, Whyte designed the business to tap into multiple revenue streams, offering budget-friendly packages tailored to each client’s needs. Orders are managed through Instagram, where she works directly with customers to craft drink menus that align with their event vision and budget. The mobile bar unit, equipped with custom add-ons, allows the business to travel across the island, particularly to outdoor venues that accommodate the full set-up. While still in its early stages, Bubbles, Bottles, Brews, and Beverages is already carving out a space in the market, with Whyte positioning the brand for long-term growth.

“My vision is to become the premier choice for events, known for a unique and personalised experience,” she shared.

WHYTE…something upset me at work, and I said, ‘You know what, this is the end of it for me.’ I’d rather deal with the frustration in my own business than put up with theirs (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Founder of Bubbles, Bottles, Brews, and Beverages Keretia Whyte at the MAX Business Expo at Devon House in Kingston. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)