From Breakdown to Best in the World: How Fat Adam’s Poured Purpose into Every Drop

With Jaimie Dunn at the World Drinks Awards

In February 2023, I found myself staring at the ceiling in the early hours of the morning, wondering how things had unravelled so far, so fast.

Professionally, I was lost, two promising businesses I was a partner in, had closed, for wildly different reasons. Personally, I found myself struggling with my mental health in a way I hadn’t before — or at least hadn’t admitted out loud. As a qualified trauma counsellor and psychotherapist that has always been known for my positive attitude and ultra-resilience, I suddenly felt like I was trapped in a loop of underperformance and self-doubt, weighed down by the pressure to keep it all together while quietly falling apart. Feeling alone and that I was letting everyone down. It all happened in a matter of days; my head was spinning.

I started having extremely dark thoughts, thoughts unlike any I had previously experienced.

That year became my reset point. Not in the way I’d imagined or hoped, but in the way that breakdowns often do — they leave you with nothing to hide behind and finally give you the space to build something new.

And so, Fat Adam’s was born.

Not as a brand, not as a business plan, not at first.

It started with the ice cream shop in Berkhamsted not opening on the Easter Bank Holiday, going on a ‘Runing an Ice Cream Business Course’, and, of course, a cart.

An old-school, Italian-style ice cream cart, loaded with gelato created by a chance meeting with Fabio of Fabio’s Gelato.

My first real gig was providing gelato to the sportspeople and celebs at the SoccerAid training camp (I am back there for the third year this year)

With David Seaman at Soccer Aid

I wheeled it into weddings, parties, and eventually exhibitions — and I watched people smile. In those first interactions, something shifted. It wasn’t just about the product. It was about presence. Being of service. Bringing a little sweetness and fun into people’s lives.

That ice cream cart gave me purpose again.
And it gave me people. Connection.
The idea that maybe I could build something not just successful — but meaningful.

Me, when the bullying started

This is what I looked like when they first started calling me Fat Adam.

I knew what it was like to feel like an outsider.

Growing up, I was bullied for being different. For being a little overweight. Fat Adam, Fatlan, Arbuckle Caplan, I mean the list is endless. For how I looked. For how I was. Children, even adults, can be atrocious.

The damage from that doesn’t always show on the outside, but it lingers — in self-doubt, in silence, in second-guessing your worth. Even at my most positive and confident times, I wonder how much that kernel was eating away.

That’s why I made the decision early on to align Fat Adam’s with The Anti-Bullying Alliance by becoming an Associate Member. ( I have just renewed for year 3)  I support their work and raise awareness of their organisation. Because the little things — a cone of ice cream, a shared smile, a beautifully made cocktail — can ripple out further than we think.

We’re very proud members of the A.B.A

And then came the cocktails.

I’ve always loved classic drinks, particularly high-quality products, I never drank much, however, I have always sought the taste and story for everything.

The balance of bitter and sweet in a Negroni, the depth and simplicity of a proper Old Fashioned. But I was tired of seeing cheap imitations in bottles — overly sweet, poorly balanced, designed for shelf life instead of experience. Aimed at price points not taste points.

So, I made my own.
By hand. I had 5-star food hygiene from ice cream and the council were happy for me to do this.
Using real ingredients, small-batch spirits, and a steely commitment to flavour-first craftsmanship. I didn’t want “ready to drink.” I wanted ready to savour.

Fat Adam’s cocktails in their natural environment

With the incredible help of the ever understanding and calming Jaimie Dunn, who’s favourite phrase ‘just a little bump’, I acquired a business partner that was the perfect foil to my energetic optimism.

Every bottle of Fat Adam’s Classic Cocktails is a labour of love. The Old Fashioned includes a terrific English 9-year-old Whiskey, aged in Buffalo Trace barrels, a whisper of orange bitters and is built with authentic maple syrup to soften the spice. My Negroni is bold, dry, and true to its roots — nothing artificial, nothing unnecessary. Just balance. Built with a floral craft gin at 42% ABV and a very smooth Vermouth, before adding the subtle orange bitters to create a sublime nose and flavour profile.

In May 2025, those cocktails did something I am still trying to comprehend.

They won Gold at the World Drinks Awards.

Both of them.

Our Classic Old Fashioned and Classic Negroni were named the best premixed cocktails in the UK.

Best In Country.

Double Gold Medal Winner

And then, in a moment I never dared to imagine when all of this started — they were shortlisted for Best in the World, to be announced on June 4th, 2025.

From late nights wondering if I was a total failure, to mornings bottling cocktails by hand with Boccarini playing in the background and hope in my heart, this brand has been a journey of healing.

Of taking every difficult experience — from professional collapse to childhood trauma — and turning it into something that connects, celebrates, and uplifts.

Fat Adam’s is more than a drinks company.

It’s a stand for craft.

For courage.

For rising up, even when you’ve been knocked flat.

For Never Giving Up, Ever.

As Ted Lasso says: Believe

Just believe!!!

 And it’s just the beginning.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, you’re not alone.
But you’re also not done, even when you think you may be.

Think of my favourite proverb, an old Samurai Proverb.

Nan korobi ya oki.

Fall seven times, stand up eight.

Resilience counts

Pop-up cocktail bars for events in the Summer!

Raise a glass with me — to resilience, to flavour, and to something worth fighting for.

And please wish us luck for June 4th!

#FatAdams #CraftedWithPurpose #DrinkGold #WorldDrinksAwards #AntiBullyingAlliance