El Guapo Bitters
El Guapo Bitters is a New Orleans-based, women-owned craft producer of alcohol-free cocktail bitters, syrups, mixers, canned zero-proof beverages, and pre-portioned cocktail kits, selling direct-to-consumer, through Whole Foods and Neiman Marcus, and to upscale bars and restaurants across 49 states and 3 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersNew Orleans, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What El Guapo Bitters does
El Guapo Bitters, founded in 2017 and headquartered at 3300 Gravier Street in New Orleans, is a privately held craft cocktail-ingredients company (DBA: New Orleans Beverage Group) producing alcohol-free bitters, syrups, cordials, mixers, canned ready-to-drink beverages, and pre-portioned cocktail kits. The product portfolio spans 20+ bitters varieties (including award-winners such as Chicory Pecan, Cucumber Lavender, Fuego, and Crawfish Boil), 12+ syrups (Rose Cordial, Demerara, Creole Orgeat), 6+ ready-to-use mixers (Black Lime Margarita, Mojito, Hurricane), gift collections (Build Your Own Bitters Set, Bourbon Lover's Set), a Bitters of the Month subscription, and branded merchandise including a candle collaboration with Hazeltine. Manufacturing is handcrafted in-house at the New Orleans facility — self-described as 'America's first bitters brewery' — using Louisiana cane sugar and traceable regional ingredients, with sustainability built into packaging (glass, aluminum, recycled kraft paper labels, hand-applied wax seals replacing plastic).
The company operates a hybrid go-to-market: direct-to-consumer via a Shopify storefront at elguapobitters.com (with free ground shipping to the lower 48 on orders over $99, and an email newsletter called 'El Guapo Krewe'), national retail through Whole Foods and Neiman Marcus, wholesale to upscale bars/restaurants and fine independent retailers across 49 states and 3 countries, an Amazon marketplace presence, and a recurring subscription. Pricing spans $25-$360 across SKUs, with cocktail kits ($64.99-$84.99) and the Build Your Own Bitters Set ($75.99) as hero products and a $90+ monthly subscription. The company has secured approximately $3.6M in cumulative outside funding (a $1.1M seed in December 2021 led by NO/LA Angel Network with Alluvian Capital and the New Orleans Startup Fund, and a $2.5M round in June 2023), enabling the buildout of the Gravier Street production facility and product-line expansion.
The brand is led by founder/CEO Christa Cotton and COO Brian Bitner. El Guapo is WBENC-certified as a women-owned business and has accumulated 7 Good Food Awards (the all-time record in the Elixirs category), the inaugural 2025 Tory Burch Foundation Founder's Award, Wine Enthusiast's 2025 Future 40 Tastemakers, the James Beard Foundation Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellowship, IC100 recognition as the 15th fastest-growing inner city business in the US (2024), and #166 on Inc. Regionals Southeast (2024). Media coverage spans Forbes, Vogue, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, Food & Wine, Martha Stewart, Oprah's O List, The View, and The Today Show.
El Guapo Bitters firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- El Guapo Bitters
- Legal name
- El Guapo Bitters
- Website
- https://elguapobitters.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- El Guapo Bitters is a New Orleans-based, women-owned craft producer of alcohol-free cocktail bitters, syrups, mixers, canned zero-proof beverages, and pre-portioned cocktail kits, selling direct-to-consumer, through Whole Foods and Neiman Marcus, and to upscale bars and restaurants across 49 states and 3 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
El Guapo Bitters industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Foods & Beverages
- NAICS
- Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Alcoholic Beverage Mixers & Cocktail Ingredients Brands (Non-alcoholic) (CRADAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cocktail Mixes & Alcoholic Beverage Bases (non-alcoholic mixers, RTD spirit bases) (AFAFAGAH), Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks (Juice Drinks, Lemonades, Fruit Drinks) (CRADAHAB)
Keywords
Where El Guapo Bitters is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Orleans
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
El Guapo Bitters business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer E-Commerce: Products sold directly to consumers through the elguapobitters.com Shopify storefront, including cocktail kits, bitters, syrups, mixers, canned beverages, and branded merchandise. Orders over $99 qualify for free ground shipping to the lower 48.
- Wholesale and Retail Distribution: Products sold to retail accounts (including Whole Foods and Neiman Marcus), bars, restaurants, and liquor stores through wholesale channels. Direct wholesale is offered to accounts without liquor licenses and to bar/restaurant/liquor store accounts in markets without distribution partners.
- Subscription - Bitters of the Month Club: Recurring monthly subscription delivering curated bitters selections to subscribers, starting from $90.00.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Espresso Martini Kit - $84.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Classic Old Fashioned Kit - $64.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Holiday Old Fashioned Kit - $64.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Spicy Margarita Kit - price varies |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Build Your Own Bitters Set - $75.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mixer 6-Pack - price varies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bitters & Soda 8-pack - $29.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Old Fashioned Candle - $58.00 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Bitters of the Month Subscription - from $90.00 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Cocktail Kit Sampler Box - $350.00 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | The Whole Shebang (Everything Pack) - $360.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | El Guapo Corduroy Hat - $32.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | El Guapo Dad Hat - $28.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | El Guapo Coozie - $4.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Original El Guapo Tee - $25.00 |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels7 records
El Guapo Bitters product offering
Product offeringCore offering
El Guapo Bitters manufactures and sells alcohol-free craft cocktail ingredients — bitters, syrups, mixers, canned Bitters & Soda, and pre-portioned cocktail kits — direct to consumers through its Shopify storefront and to wholesale accounts including Whole Foods, Neiman Marcus, bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. All products are handcrafted at the company's New Orleans facility using Louisiana cane sugar, with packaging exclusively in glass and aluminum.
Product overview
El Guapo Bitters is a New Orleans-based craft cocktail ingredients company offering a comprehensive portfolio of alcohol-free bitters, syrups, mixers, and canned beverages. The core product lines include: (1) Bitters Collection – over 12 award-winning varieties like Chicory Pecan, Chocolate, Cucumber Lavender, and Fuego; (2) Syrups Collection – 12+ cocktail syrups including Creole Orgeat, Rose Cordial, Lime Cordial, and Demerara; (3) Cocktail Kits – pre-portioned gift sets including Espresso Martini, Classic Old Fashioned, Spicy Margarita, Holiday Old Fashioned, and Mardi Gras Old Fashioned kits that make 17-34 cocktails each; (4) Mixers Collection – 6 ready-to-use mixers in 16.5oz bottles; (5) Bitters & Soda – canned ready-to-drink beverages in Love Potion and Cucumber Lavender flavors; (6) Gift collections including Build Your Own Bitters/Syrups Sets, Bourbon Lover's Set, and Bitters of the Month Subscription; (7) Merchandise including candles, hats, t-shirts, and coozies. The company holds 7 Good Food Awards and is the all-time winning-est company in the Elixirs category. All products are alcohol-free, non-GMO, and made with quality ingredients sourced from regional farmers and certified suppliers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bitters Collection Award-winning collection of alcohol-free craft cocktail bitters in 12+ varieties (Chicory Pecan, Polynesian Kiss, Cucumber Lavender, Chocolate, Crawfish Boil, Vanilla Barrel Aged, Cuban, Fuego, Love Potion, and others). No-sugar-added and vegan. Sold to home bartenders, gift buyers, professional bars, and retailers as foundational cocktail ingredients.
- Syrups Collection Collection of 12+ craft cocktail syrups and cordials including Rose Cordial, Lime Cordial, Hibiscus, Cajun Grenadine, Sweet Potato Syrup, Creole Orgeat, Demerara, Almond Orgeat, Ginger Syrup, Falernum, Tonic Syrup, and Candy Cane Syrup. Made with Louisiana cane sugar. Targeted at home bartenders and professional bars.
- Cocktail Kits Pre-packaged, pre-portioned cocktail kits including the Espresso Martini Kit, Classic Old Fashioned Kit, Spicy Margarita Kit, Holiday Old Fashioned Kit, Mardi Gras Old Fashioned Kit, Rose Champagne Cocktail Kit, and Cocktail Kit Sampler Box. Each kit includes recipe-tested ingredients (syrups, bitters, garnishes) and a recipe card, and makes between 17 and 34 cocktails per kit. Targeted at gift-givers and home bartenders seeking bar-quality results with no guesswork.
- Mixers Collection Ready-to-use craft cocktail mixers in 16.5oz bottles including Black Lime Margarita, Mojito, Hurricane, Salted Paloma, Lemon Drop, and Bloody Mary. Each bottle makes 8.5 cocktails. Work with or without spirits. Targeted at home bartenders seeking convenience and at mindful/zero-proof drinkers.
- Bitters & Soda Canned ready-to-drink beverages in Love Potion and Cucumber Lavender flavors. Zero alcohol, zero added sugar, zero caffeine, no flavorings or dyes. Made with whole ingredients from bitters. Available as 8-pack ($29.99) or mixed cases. Targeted at zero-proof and mindful drinkers; featured on The Today Show in July 2025.
- Bitters of the Month Subscription Recurring monthly subscription delivering curated bitters selections to subscribers. Starting at $90 with customizable subscription lengths. Targeted at home cocktail enthusiasts and gift-givers seeking ongoing discovery of new bitters varieties.
- Gifts Collection Curated gift boxes and sets including the Craft Cocktail Gift Box, spirit-specific bitters sets (Gin Lovers, Bourbon Lovers, Spirit Free), Build Your Own Bitters Set, Build Your Own Syrups Set, and Coffee Connoisseur Box. Targeted at gift-givers for holidays, weddings, birthdays, and corporate gifting.
- Old Fashioned Candle Limited-edition collaboration candle with Hazeltine (a New Orleans-based candle studio). Coconut wax, 9oz / 255g, approximately 40 hours burn time. Notes of warm bourbon, burnt orange peel, chicory coffee, and pecan bitters. Hand-poured at the Hazeltine studio in New Orleans. Targeted at brand fans and gift-givers.
- Merchandise Collection Branded merchandise including El Guapo Corduroy Hat (5-panel, unstructured, pinback; available in Barbiecore, Bubblegum, and Emerald), El Guapo Dad Hat (100% cotton twill, antiqued brass buckle), Original El Guapo Tee (tri-blend charcoal heather, crew neck, made in USA), and Coozies (neoprene, multiple colors). Targeted at brand fans and gift-givers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4x Good Food Award winner; 7x including elixirs category recognition
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use El Guapo Bitters
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
El Guapo Bitters technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
El Guapo Bitters partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Whole FoodsmajorNational retail partner carrying El Guapo products on store shelves. Represents a major retail distribution channel for the brand alongside other independent retailers.
- Neiman MarcusmajorLuxury department store partner featuring El Guapo products as a premium cocktail ingredient brand. Represents high-end retail distribution positioning.
- Glass Half FullcoreEl Guapo CEO Christa Cotton serves as an advisor to Glass Half Full, a local nonprofit that turns recycled glass into sand for coastal restoration in Louisiana. Glass Half Full won a $5 million National Science Foundation grant to further its research. El Guapo is committed to sustainability and glass recycling as part of its environmental mission.
- Hazeltine (Candle Co)minorLimited-edition Old Fashioned Candle collaboration with Hazeltine, a New Orleans-based candle studio. The candle features notes of bourbon, burnt orange, chicory coffee, and pecan bitters. Lovingly crafted and hand-poured at the Hazeltine studio in New Orleans.
- Tory Burch FoundationcoreChrista Cotton is a Fellow and inaugural recipient of the Tory Burch Foundation Founder's Award (2025), presented by Adam Glassman, Oprah's longtime creative director. The foundation provides mentorship, capital, and networking for women entrepreneurs. Christa also mentors other women in CPG through the foundation.
- James Beard FoundationcoreChrista Cotton is a Fellow of the James Beard Foundation's Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership program (2021/22). The foundation is a leading authority on food and beverage in the US, providing prestigious recognition and professional development for culinary and hospitality entrepreneurs.
- Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) LouisianaminorChrista Cotton serves on the board of Entrepreneur's Organization Louisiana and is a past president of the New Orleans Chapter. EO provides peer learning and executive education for entrepreneurs.
- Les Dames d'Escoffier International - New Orleans ChapterminorChrista Cotton served as immediate past president of the New Orleans Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International, a professional organization of women leaders in food, beverage, and hospitality.
- The Lee InitiativeminorChrista Cotton mentors women in the CPG space through The Lee Initiative, a nonprofit supporting women in food and beverage.
- FAB (Charleston-based workshop)minorChrista Cotton mentors women in the food and beverage industry through FAB, a Charleston-based workshop for women in food and bev.
- Son of a SaintminorChrista Cotton dedicates significant time supporting Son of a Saint, a New Orleans-based nonprofit that mentors boys who have lost their fathers to death, deportation, or incarceration.
- Snag CollectiveminorSnag Collective manufactures El Guapo's corduroy hats. The hats are described as comfortable, premium, and made to last a lifetime.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
El Guapo Bitters competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fee Brothers: Rochester, NY-based bitters and cocktail ingredient manufacturer. Directly comparable as a multi-decade bitters/syrup producer serving both retail and bar/restaurant channels with overlapping product categories.
- Peychaud's Bitters: New Orleans-based bitters brand owned by Sazerac, iconic in the American bitters category. Direct competitor sharing El Guapo's home market and bar-channel distribution, though at much larger scale.
- Bittermens Bitters: Brooklyn-based craft bitters maker targeting premium home and professional bartenders. Closely comparable product portfolio (small-batch, flavor-forward bitters) and target customer base.
- Scrappy's Bitters: Seattle-based small-batch cocktail bitters producer focused on no-artificial-color craft formulations. Direct competitor in the premium/artisanal bitters segment with similar bar and DTC positioning.
- Small Hand Foods: San Francisco-based maker of artisanal cocktail syrups and tinctures (including orgeat, grenadine, falernum) using cane sugar. Directly comparable cocktail ingredient portfolio and craft-positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Angostura Bitters: Global bitters category leader with mass-market and bar-channel dominance. Competes with El Guapo for the same bartender and home-bartender consumer but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
- Monin: France-based global leader in premium syrups, sauces, and flavorings serving cafés, bars, and retail. Overlaps with El Guapo's syrup and mixer categories with much broader foodservice scale.
- Torani: Established US syrup and flavoring brand with broad retail and foodservice presence. Competes for shelf space and bar-program wallet share in adjacent mixer/syrup categories.
Emerging players
- The Bitter Housewife: Portland-based craft bitters brand with a smaller portfolio targeting home bartenders. Emerging competitor with overlapping premium craft positioning and DTC-first model.
- drinkBitters / Crude Cocktails & Co: Emerging craft cocktail mixer and bitters brand pursuing premium grocery placement and DTC. Adjacent product mix (mixers and bitters) with comparable target consumer and similar early-stage scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
El Guapo Bitters social profiles
Digital presenceEl Guapo Bitters compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
El Guapo Bitters financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
El Guapo Bitters leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
El Guapo Bitters funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
El Guapo Bitters M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about El Guapo Bitters
What does El Guapo Bitters do?
El Guapo Bitters manufactures and sells alcohol-free craft cocktail ingredients — bitters, syrups, mixers, canned Bitters & Soda, and pre-portioned cocktail kits — direct to consumers through its Shopify storefront and to wholesale accounts including Whole Foods, Neiman Marcus, bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. All products are handcrafted at the company's New Orleans facility using Louisiana cane sugar, with packaging exclusively in glass and aluminum.
Is El Guapo Bitters a public or private company?
El Guapo Bitters is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was El Guapo Bitters founded?
El Guapo Bitters was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is El Guapo Bitters based?
El Guapo Bitters is headquartered in New Orleans, United States, in the North America region.
How does El Guapo Bitters make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer E-Commerce is the primary driver. The others are wholesale and Retail Distribution and subscription - Bitters of the Month Club.
Who are El Guapo Bitters's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fee Brothers, Peychaud's Bitters, Bittermens Bitters, Scrappy's Bitters and Small Hand Foods. Broad incumbents are Angostura Bitters, Monin and Torani. Emerging players are The Bitter Housewife and drinkBitters / Crude Cocktails & Co.
Does El Guapo Bitters have an API?
No public API is recorded for El Guapo Bitters.
What industry is El Guapo Bitters in?
El Guapo Bitters's product category is Specialty Foods & Beverages. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAH, Alcoholic Beverage Mixers & Cocktail Ingredients Brands (Non-alcoholic), with a secondary code of AFAFAGAH, Cocktail Mixes & Alcoholic Beverage Bases (non-alcoholic mixers, RTD spirit bases). Its NAICS code is 3121 and its SIC code is 2080.