Panther M*lk takes its cue from Spain's 'Leche De Pantera', or 'Panther Milk'. This drink started in 1920s Spain, a time of indulgence. The most known story is about General José Millán-Astray. He asked Perico Chicote, a famous bartender, to make a drink for soldiers. It needed to be simple, cheap, and easy to store and carry. The final drink was so good, that soldiers thanked Chicote. Another story is about injured soldiers mixing medicinal alcohol with condensed milk. Later, they used spirits like gin, brandy, or rum.
The Panther M*lk Journey
The brand became known after appearing on Dragons' Den with Deborah Meaden. But it really started in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. Paul, the founder of Glasgow's Sub Club, found the drink at Avesta bar during the Sónar festival. Avesta, now closed, served it in white, pink, and green, all with cinnamon. Glasgow residents loved it, leading to the Panther M*lk Bar concept.
The Panther M*lk Bar began as a secret pop-up in Glasgow in 2015. It was meant for three months but lasted 4.5 years, managed by Queenie and Sobhan. Open only on Friday and Saturday nights, it became a Glasgow favourite. Due to demand, they aimed to make Panther M*lk global.
In October 2020, the company went fully vegan. They started using oat milk from Minor Figures.
Packaging: A Nod to the 1920s
The branding and packaging pay tribute to the 1920s. The logo, inspired by cigarette cards, shows a sleek panther and geometric patterns. It's in Art Deco style with a panther and butterfly under sunlight. They use organic ink for the large bottle labels and plan to do the same for smaller bottles by 2023.
The Range
Panther M*lk Vanilla: This double award-winning liqueur has oat milk, spice, molasses, and a great aftertaste. It's like a vegan Baileys.
Panther M*lk Strawberry: Known as 'The Pink Panther', it's like a boozy strawberry milkshake.
Panther M*lk Coffee: The top-seller in summer festivals. It combines alcohol and real espresso. It's a popular party choice.
Panther M*lk Mint: Called 'The green one', it tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream. It was rated the best mint-flavoured liqueur by The Good Housekeeping Institute.
Panther M*lk links history with modern tastes. It offers a drink that's both timeless and modern.