From best friends to co-founders, how success happened for Hella Cocktail Co.

The opinions expressed by entrepreneurs contributors are their own.

Hella Cocktail Co. is now officially a decade strong, botanically inspired drinks and mixers company co-founded and led by Jomaree Pinkard (CEO), Eddie Simeon (CMO) and Tobin Ludwig (COO) - aka "The Bitter Boys". "These best friends-turned-business partners grew their shared passion from humble beginnings in a small Brooklyn apartment into what is today, a nationally distributed line of artisan bitters, mixers and the first Bitters & Soda of its kind.

Hella Cocktail Co.

Dedicated to creating high choice in the cocktail industry, the brand's mission is to inspire confidence in the "Hella Curious" and to s ensure there is room for everyone to bring their authentic set to the table. These core principles of authenticity and inclusivity have remained the driving forces behind Hella Cocktail Co. since its inception in 2012. It is these values ​​coupled with the brand's commitment to unparalleled quality and taste that have grown the company has more than 20,000 distribution points nationwide.< /p> recipe for success

"It comes down to using real, high-quality ingredients at the end of the day," says Tobin Ludwig. "Even when we were just beginning to extract our signature bitters into mason jars, we understood that what you put into your product is what you get out of it, so we only used the best ingredients on we could get our hands on. As we outgrew this tiny Brooklyn apartment and increased our production, we continued to prioritize sourcing those same high-quality ingredients that set our products apart in the marketplace. ."

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Today, Hella Cocktail Co.'s entire portfolio is still comprised of only pure cane sugar, fruit juice concentrates, fruit peels, natural extracts, spices and bitter roots. From the iconic artisan bitters that started it all, to premium cocktail mixers in fan-favorite varieties like Bloody Mary and Habanero Margarita, to the latest category-building line of Bitters & Soda, the brand has woven the ethos of true bold ingredients and flavors. in everything they create.

"When we began developing Bitters & Soda, we weren't just looking to create a perfect fizzy mixer, but to create a sophisticated non-alcoholic beverage that would stand out on its own," says Eddie Simeon. "Our uniquely crafted bitters harness flavors from around the world, such as gentian root, grown in southern France, and allspice, which result in the complex and nuanced taste profiles found in our bitters and sodas. Understanding where our ingredients come from and the unique cultures that surround them play just as important a role in our products as the taste they bring."

Hella Cocktail Co.'s investment in culture doesn't stop with sourcing their ingredients, it also comes from the diverse backgrounds each of the founders contributes to. All coming from different backgrounds, the three co-founders have brought together their unique perspectives to strengthen the brand's vision and trajectory.

As Hella Cocktail Co. continues on this trajectory of success, like-minded partners have begun to take notice. Most recently, The Bitter Boys announced a transformational partnership through a Series A investment from Uncle Nearest Ventures. The first beverage brand owned and operated by BIPOC to be available in all 50 states, Hella celebrated the investment with the common goal of creating more space for minority-owned businesses in the cocktail industry. The funds will be invested in recruiting Hella's growing team, continuing to promote inclusive choice for all in cocktail culture, and stocking warehouses with enough inventory to meet growing demand.

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