Co-Founders of Propio NA Beverages Cassi Davis and Mikaela Funn. Source: JLavii Photography / JLavii Photography
Whether you’re taking a temporary break from popping bottles for Dry January or cutting out booze altogether, for many trying to abstain from alcohol the struggle is very real.
Black women in particular carry the weight of the Superwoman cape or “the myth of the strong Black woman,” so sometimes a girl needs a good cocktail or glass of wine to help her unwind.
But if you’re looking for a non-alcoholic alternative here are seven innovative Black women-owned brands to check out. Motivated by motherhood, friendship, culture, family tradition, and alcohol dependence these boss chicks poured their souls into each unique mocktail, proving you can enjoy all the fun of Black Girl Magic without the hangover.
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Cassi Davis and Mikaela Funn are Spelman alumnae who founded Propio, a de-alcoholized wine alternative that manages to maintain the beloved beverage’s distinct taste.
The besties get their grapes from Washington’s Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area, which adds to their tropical and vibrant notes. To preserve the integrity of the original wine the grapes undergo a meticulous alcohol removal process.
On Jan. 24, Propio officially launches its debut white wine, a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. You can expect even more delicious varietals later in the year.
In 2015, inspired by her father’s sorrel recipe, Nzinga Knight—a first-generation Caribbean-American—started experimenting with the family recipe.
Steeped in more than 400 years of tradition, she replaces alcohol content with rich antioxidants from natural ingredients like sorrel and ginger. It’s also made with pure cane sugar, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, bay leaves, and orange peel.
Brooklyn Brewed Sorrel is perfect as a mixer or served solo.
Mahisha Dellinger is the founder of the non-alcoholic mocktail brand Huzzy Smartsips, and admits that like many Black women, she used to drink “to cope.”
She wanted a healthy drink alternative with a “buzz,” so the Mompreneur created a line of mocktails that protect and repair the liver. Made with ginger, turmeric, and refined sugar, Huzzy Smartsips are vegan and gluten-free.
Grab a variety pack for a mix of flavors like Spill The Tea Long Island and Siesta Sip Sangria w/ Blood Orange.
Ashley Hunt-Poole says she’s “changing the world one mocktail at a time.”
While pregnant during the pandemic the mom of two quickly noticed the need for high-quality non-alcoholic drinks, which birthed Mocktails for Mommy.
The alcohol-free wine and prosecco alternatives include a selection of playful flavors such as Momma Rosé, Sangri-YAY, and MOMscato Peach.
Sorority sisters Monica Cornitcher and Inga Dyer met more than 30 years ago at Howard University.
The pair were inspired by their favorite cocktails to co-found Medase mocktails, a line of alcohol-free beverages. The conveniently canned drinks are made with all-natural liquor flavors and other ingredients such as agave, citrus, and tropical juices.
Available infused with 10 mg of hemp or non-hemp, the 12 oz drinks come in many mouthwatering flavors. Goodnight Moon Moscow Mule was Inga’s personal favorite. She passed away Jan. 20, 2024, following a battle with breast cancer.
While pregnant, Nigerian-born businesswoman Pauline Idogho decided to launch Mocktail Club, a brand of non-alcoholic beverages with bold and daring flavors not typically found in alcohol-free options.
Packed with prebiotics and antioxidants Pauline sources fruit juice from organic suppliers and uses sustainable packaging for her canned mocktails.
Flavors like Bombay Fire, Bali Breeze, and Havana Twist are made with delicious ingredients including coconut, lychee, ginger, pomegranate, lemongrass, cucumber and mint shrub, cardamom, and chili peppers. Mocktail Club products are available at Whole Foods, Amazon, and other major retailers
CEO and Co-Founder of Titun Cocktails, Edwige Fute Ngouen, combined her Cameroonian ancestry and American experience when she set out to “empower consumers to control their drinking destiny.”
Titun Cocktails are alcohol-free premium spritzers. The non-GMO, vegan-friendly, sparkling beverage is made with 100% juice. These sugar-free canned mocktails are made with organic ingredients like passion fruit, coconut, pineapple, elderflower, ginger, and black currant lemongrass.
Mix and match flavors like Teal Bliss and Love Nest in a four-variety pack.
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