At last, summertime is in full swing – which means less work, and more play [hi, Summer Fridays]. While we write this piece poolside with a glass of bubbly on deck, we thought we’d take you behind the bar to discover the brands that are celeb-founded and follower approved. We’ve discussed the grand entrance of influencers-turned-entrepreneurs before on the blog, but today’s post focuses #undertheinfluence of celebrities and their libation creations. Read more to find out if what you’re sipping this summer made the list:
@drink818
As per usual, anything the Kardashian-Jenner clan touches turns to gold – or in this case, Reposado. Kendall Jenner’s brand baby, 818 Tequila, is the first of the family’s alcohol ventures and is taking over our newsfeed as we know it. The account has nearly a million followers on IG after launching in late May of 2022, and is continuously growing its audience through Kendall’s personal brand and IRL influencer activations, where she’s been known to get behind the bar to mix it up with her loyal fans. Cheers, K!
@hamptonwater
It wasn’t until a cool 2 (ok…3) glasses later of this refreshing rose that we discovered it is in fact founded by rockstar legend Jon Bon Jovi. Tunes aside, we are obsessed with Hampton Water’s chic summer aesthetic featuring a diver painted on the label, and their insta’s old-school, “Out East” branding that native New Yorkers and more have come to love. Pro Tip: pop the top like champagne, [don’t twist] so you can, em, *hydrate* asap.
@aviationgin
Aviation American Gin is a classic brand owned and founded by actor, dad and maybe most importantly…husband to Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds. The American-made spirit is popular on the ‘gram, featuring a feed of original cocktail recipes amongst its classic country-esque branding. Oh and of course, a gallery of Ryan Reynolds himself. We love a hands-on entrepreneur, don’t we?
@heavensdoorwhiskey
If it ever crossed your mind to wonder what singer and songwriter Bob Dylan has been up to these days, look no further than his whiskey brand, Heaven’s Door. Named after the artist’s 70s mega hit, ‘Knockin on Heaven’s Door’, the brand continues to showcase its americana ethos through an intricate bottle design of industrial art, and an IG page flooded with limited edition bottles and cocktails to match. Be sure to check out the Bob Dylan x Jimmy Fallon whiskey-tasting reel while you sip.
@casadelsol
We live for Eva Longoria content – and now, we’re hooked on her tequila brand’s profile – Casa Del Sol. The female-empowered liquor company was founded by the entertainment icon and influencer that has traditionally brought us beauty and fashion content, and now alcohol as an entrepreneurial twist. We love the feminine branding on Casa Del Sol’s site and social, as well as the luxury foundation of its sipping qualities.
@casamigos
Ok, so maybe you know this one – the premium tequila by our teenage heartthrobs George Clooney & Randy Gaber. But did you know that Casamigos is in the top-tier of tequila brands sold worldwide? If you scroll through the brand’s feed, you’ll see a variety of content from high-end still shots to cocktail recipe reels, brand-inspired art and more – but not so much of the founders’ faces. Goes to show, a great brand really sells itself.
@selvareyrum
A tropical Palm Springs, vintage aesthetic rum brand by Bruno Mars? We wouldn’t expect anything less from the modern R&B superstar. Just like the artist’s vibes, Selva Rey Rum represents luxury living with a tropical twist. We love checking out the brand’s IG for hot summer cocktail recipes and classic-California cool pics that have us thinking – if Selva Rey was around in the ‘60s, everyone in Mad Men would be sipping it.
@sunnyvodka
Sunny Vodka is the hospitality guru-meets-influencer brand child of Zack Bia and Stassie Karanikolaou, so we’ll cheers to that! This gluten-free vodka is uber popular on insta and in the LA-night life scene, where Zack & Stassie are frequent flyers. We love the flash-photography vibes on Insta, and how the brand takes us through recipes, ambassadors, and BTS of a celeb-founded brand on social. The Sunny Martini looks divine, as well.
@calirosa
PINK TEQUILA. That’s it. That’s the post.
Jk, but the iconic brand developed by #couplegoals duo Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo have us swooning over the product itself, Calirosa tequila, as well as the branding associated with it on social and IRL activations [their Coachella spread was simply divine]. Fun, spicy and classy is how we would describe this liquor – right after ‘we’ll take two’.
@brothersbondbourbon
An off-screen bromance turned entrepreneurial venture is something we simply love to see. Founded by Vampire Diaries co-stars Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley as a passion project gone right, the brand’s instagram has grown a real following – upwards of a million fans, actually – who love to see the process of distilling bourbon, dreamy cocktails, and of course, the company’s dreamy founders. Sigh, we’ll be here for a while.
If you’re looking for the next spirit to integrate in your summer cocktail party menu, be sure to scroll through some of our favorite celeb-owned brands who have a keen eye for what their audience wants, and how to serve it – straight up.