Fancy Clooney’s Tequila? 10 Celebrities Who Have a Side Gig in the Alcohol Business
Most celebrities have an extra business on the side. Whether it’s a clothing, perfume, or makeup brand, many of them have a successful business venture that you might not even know about. It’s then no surprise that there are quite a few actors and singers that try their hand in the alcohol business, a flourishing $1600 billion industry. For all you know, you have been sipping on these famous tipples without knowing it!
Tequila
George Clooney founded his brand of Tequila, Casamigos, together with his friends Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman in 2013. There are three different flavor profiles available: blanco, reposado, and añejo. The brand was sold to another company in 2017, for a staggering $1 billion! Nick Jonas and Justin Timberlake also own a tequila brand, although it might not be worth a billion just yet. Jonas partnered with John Varvatos, to create the sustainable tequila brand, Villa One. There’s a reason why Jonas specifically chose tequila. Researchers found that the sugars in the blue weber agave has a beneficial effect on those with diabetes. Jonas has been quite public about his struggle with the disease, so he has a special connection with the drink. Justin Timberlake’s tequila, also made from blue weber agave, is named Sauza 901. Timberlake has been a big fan of tequila, so the choice to create his own brand of tequila came naturally.
Vodka
Actress Kate Hudson launched her vodka brand, King St. Vodka, in November 2019. The vodka got its name from King Street in New York, where Hudson regularly host cocktail parties for her friends. The vodka is presented with a beautiful, floral design, and sold for about $25. Magic Mike star, Channing Tatum, also has his own vodka brand, called Born and Bred. The vodka is made from Idaho potatoes, and distilled 20 times, giving drinkers an extra smooth drink.
Blake Shelton wanted a brand of vodka that represents the community in which he grew up in. So he launched Smithworks Vodka, made from corn from Missouri, Kansas, and his home state, Oklahoma. At Smithworks, they believe that life is better ‘when spent with good friends and good drinks’.
Whiskey
It’s no surprise that country singers are fans of a nice glass of whiskey. Recently, Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean launched a whiskey together, called Old Camp Wolf Moon. The whiskey is sold in a camping-themed corked bottle, and you can expect a smooth and sweet taste with every sip. Willie Nelson’s Old Whiskey River Bourbon is named after his well-known 1973 song, ‘Whiskey River’. The bourbon is made in small batches and is not easy to come by. It costs $500 a bottle, but at least you get a cool Willie Nelson guitar pick with it!
But it’s not only country singers that have their hands in the whiskey business. Actor Matthew McConaughey created his own bourbon, Wild Turkey Longbranch, which he prefers to drink neat. The bourbon is 81 proof, making it slightly lighter in alcohol than the other whiskeys from Wild Turkey. It is also infused with ‘Texas flavors’ by using mesquite and oak charcoal.
Have you had a taste of any of these drinks yet? Tell us below what you think!
