5 Women owning the drinks industry - Literally
5 successful female CEO’s, founders and owners who are successfully owning the drinks industry. These are the Boss women who are defining the way we drink.
So this month is national women’s history month America (March) with international women’s day taking place on the 8th of March world wide. What better time to shout out to some of the fabulous women who are influencing and totally bossing our drinks industry then now?
Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. For this, I will be sharing 5 articles over March celebrating women who are currently trailblazing the drinks industry forward. Starting with this post on women founders, CEO’s and owners of drink brands.
Coming this month...
Influential women in the drinks industry
Women master blenders & distillers
Overlook of women bossing the drinks industry
These are 5 women Owning the drinks industry
#1 Alex Robson - The King of Soho Gin
Alex Robson - Image source
Alex Robson is the gin owner and entrepreneur or should I say gintrepreneur? who has been successfully tantalizing our taste buds since 2013 being the co-founder of King Of Soho Gin.
“The King of Soho Gin launched in October 2013 with a Super Premium Distilled London Dry Gin. Distilled in the heart of London using traditional methods, no less than twelve botanicals are used to create its unique flavour profile. Encapsulating the rich creativity and unique lifestyle of the effervescent London district of Soho, citrusy grapefruit is delicately combined with classic juniper to create a smooth perfectly balanced London Dry Gin” - Alex Robson, source
The Gin itself is a celebration of the life and legacy of Paul Raymond - The original “king of Soho” and father of the King of Soho Gin co-founder Howard Raymond.
This Gin is a delicious expression of London gin which you can pretty much pick up anywhere in the UK, from Ocado to Asda and of course Amazon UK. Just check it out here.
King of Soho gin - Image source
Other than the fact that the King Of Soho is clearly a delicious gin. The branding of the product coupled with the fact that it has been around for almost 10 years now just goes to show that Alex Robson is not only a taste maker, but a woman extremely knowledgeable in the world of business.
If King of Soho never came to light then I’m sure we would still see Alex bossing the drinks industry in one way or another and that's why she's such an influential figure in the drinks community or should I say ginfluential figure?
#ginfluentialbusinesswoman
#2 Annabel Thomas - Nc’nean
Annabel Thomas - Image source
Annabel Thomas is a London boss lady who wanted to start her very own whisky distillery. A dream we have all shared at one time or another in this industry. The only difference is that Annabel actually did it. She set up the organic whisky distillery Nc’nean
Nc’nean is an “independent, organic whisky distillery that exists to create experimental spirits and pioneer sustainable production”
This is a whisky distillery that has set out to change the world of whisky. Creating a product that can exist in harmony with this little rock we call Earth. Sustainability is something that is key to the mission of Nc’nean. They use organic ingredients distilled with renewable energy and recycle 99.97% of their waste with plans for 100% recyclable bottling. As they perfectly put it, they are “protectors of nature”
And before you say it, I know I know. Sustainability is trending right now. EVERY brand seems to have a “key focus on sustainability” But what you’ve got to remember is that even though they have only been distilling since 2017, Annabel’s vision for this brand started way back in 2012. Back when sustainability wasn’t cool.
If that doesn’t show that they aren't just jumping on a trend I don't know what will. Check out more about the brand and there sustainability here.
The fact that Annabel has built this incredible brand just shows how this woman is bossing the whisky industry. She's not just trend setting but she's trailblazing. And with clear intention.
#ambitiouswoman
#3 Joyce & Raissa De Haas - Double Dutch
Image source - Double Dutch Instagram
This one is technically number 3 and 4 as Double Dutch isn’t just owned by one boss lady, but two.
Double Dutch is a women owned and operated soft drinks company, making fantastic mixers that compliment a range of alcoholic and non alcoholic spirits with unique and crafted flavour pairings, from their classic Indian Tonic water to there Bloody Mary Soda.
They have been shaking up the drink mixers industry and snapping up awards. Showing that if most of your drink is going to be made up of mixers, why not put craft and passion into those mixers.
Joyce and Raissa are twins if you hadn’t of guessed by the photo that were raised in the Netherlands, the birthplace of gin. But these women had their hearts set on something else… It was the mixers and sodas you would mix with gin that needed an upgrade from the repetitive and bland selection. Enter Double Dutch.
Double dutch range - Image source
The twins founded Double Dutch in 2015 and launched their debut mixers – ‘Pomegranate & Basil’ and ‘Cucumber & Watermelon’ and has quickly been making a name for themself ever since.
Not only has Joyce and Raissa been shaking up the mixer scene with their delicious range, they are also passionate about helping other women achieve there own drink industry success by launching there scholarship programme which is designed to help foster upcoming female bartender talent.
Successful applicants will “receive training and mentoring to help them grow in the hospitality industry. Whether that’s how to build your own network or how to build your own social media presence,” - Double dutch
#Doublepoints
#4 Thirsty Magazine
Thirsty logo - Image source
Spend more than 10 minutes on Instagram searching for influential bartenders and you will likely come across Thirsty magazine.
Thirsty Magazine is an America drinks magazine that has built quite an impressive audience worldwide. It’s the beverage-forward venue-focused guide on where and what to drink and the people that are leading this industry.
They reach an impressive audience with almost 200k Instagram followers alone. I can only imagine the pageviews the website gets. Honestly, I really would love to know. Can someone tell me?
Anyway… This large audience of engaging drinkers from across the globe is what makes Thirsty a real powerhouse. And of course Thirsty is also owned by women AND operated by women.
Behind this impressive audience and impressive knowledge is a group of women who are just bossing the hell out of the drinks industry.
Co-Founder of Thirsty, Tara Fougner has over over 15 years of industry experience and a true passion for the global beverage community. In 2020, Tara was honoured by Drinks International on their 'Top 100 Most Influential In the World' List.
#whoruntheworld?
#5 Monica Berg - Muyu liqueurs & Tayēr + Elementary
Monica Berg - Image source
Monica Berg is a London based multi award winning bartender and entrepreneur. She is a highly respected and recognised person of the drinks industry.
I could be here all day listing of the awards she’s won over the years, but for the purpose of keeping this short and sweet, I will just mention one of her most recent recognitions which was gaining the number 5th place in the Drinks International list of the industries most influential people in the world.
She been making her mark on the industry since 2013. In 2016 she co-founded P(OUR). A non-profit organisation working to expand drinks knowledge and support industry communities.
Her work also includes Muyu Liqueurs and co-founding the London Bar Tayēr + Elementary. Which despite a global pandemic has still managed to show off their unique approach to drinking through a range of RTD bottled cocktails.
Just take a look through her own website here to see just how much she is actually involved with and the recognition she has earned. Project after project she has shown that she has a true knowledge of the industry, turning any project she touches into success.
#busybusinesswoman
Stay tuned for the next post celebrating women in the drinks industry. In the meantime, if you know a women who is bossing this industry we love so much, then give them a shout out in the comments below.