Meet the stars who’ve launched their own brand of booze!
From Jim Bean spokeswoman Mila Kunis to Bud Light commercials starring Will Ferrell, celebrity endorsements of alcohol labels is certainly nothing new. However, these days many celebrities are stepping away from promoting other campaigns and beginning to take ownership of their own booze labels instead. Take a look at the following celebrities who have embraced this trend and attached their famous names to their own alcoholic brand!
Dan Aykroyd
After noticing a lack of additive free vodka in market, Dan Aykroyd decided to make one himself and conceived the idea of Crystal Head Vodka. He partnered with artist John Alexander who designed the bottle based on the pair’s shared fascination with the legend of the thirteen Crystal Skulls. The vodka is quadruple-distilled and seven times filtered, with the final 3 filtrations taking place through Herkimer diamond crystals. The product launched in Southern California in 2008 and is now available worldwide.
Sean “Diddy” Combs
In 2007, Diddy agreed to become a brand ambassador for Ciroc which was struggling to sell 40,000 cases a year. A decade later, Ciroc is now an internationally recognized brand and Diddy has an “equal-share venture” with profits from the brand being split between him and manufacturing partner Diageo. Today, Diddy regularly collects an 8-figure paycheck from the company and is even bringing other celebrities on board. In August, Diddy announced that a new flavor of French Vanilla would be produced in partnership with hip-hop artist French Montana.
UB40
We’re all familiar with UB40’s smash hit “Red Red Wine,” but did you know that the infectious reggae-pop classic now has an official Bordeaux that you can drink while you listen to it? In 2014, UB40 partnered with wine producer Jerome Jacober and his company Eminent Life to create their latest launch, Red Red Wine. The product is logically being marketed alongside UB40’s 2017 tour.
Channing Tatum
This year, Channing Tatum launched a line of spirits labeled Born and Bred Vodka which is made in partnership with the Idaho-based Grand Teton Distillery. “On the inside label, once you drink it down or if you get your eye really close to the bottle, it says ‘Cross my heart and hope for mischief,’” says the former stripper turned actor. “That’s just what I want when I pour myself a drink. I want to just cause a little havoc, get into some trouble, get into some safe, manageable mischief.”
The Hanson Brothers
In 2013, the Hanson brothers partnered with craft beer company Mustang Brewing to create a drink that raised a toast to their 21st anniversary. Together they founded Hanson Brothers Beer Company and launched its flagship pale ale MmmHops, a tongue-in-cheek homage to their hit single “Mmmbop.” Hanson shared the first taste of the beer with guests attending the premiere of The Hangover Part III.
Adam Levine & Sammy Hagar
Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar recently launched Santo Mezquila, a new alcohol brand dubbed the “world’s first mezquila.” The idea for the blend stemmed from a dinner in 2015 when Levine, Hagar and a friend decided to switch up their drinks from tequila to mezcal. The trio found the smoky taste of mezcal overpowering and poured it in their tequila glasses. They found the new mixture to be quite tasty, and the idea of Santo Mezquila was born.
Justin Timberlake
In 2014, Justin Timberlake launched an 80-proof, triple-distilled tequila named Sauza 901 as a nod to his hometown area code in Memphis, Tennessee. Like Timberlake, the 100% agave tequila is super smooth and to this day Timberlake still has a hand in every part of the business, from tastings and bottle design to marketing and promotions.
