What Aqua Monaco does

Aqua Monaco GmbH is a Munich-based privately held premium beverage company that produces and markets a diversified portfolio of over 20 products spanning mineral water, classic mixers, organic mixers, organic soda pops, aperitif mixers, and special collaborative products. Core inputs include mineral water sourced from the Munich gravel plain (Münchner Schotterebene), cold-pressed ginger for ginger beer, and whole hand-harvested Bolivian cinchona bark for organic tonics. Products are vegan-certified, EU-organic where applicable, produced and bottled in a climate-neutral manner, and packaged exclusively in reusable glass bottles (no cans or PET). The company is operated by two managing directors, Timo Thurner and Robert Graenitz, from its headquarters in Munich's Haidhausen district (Rue Breisacher 3, 81667 Munich).

The business operates a dual-channel go-to-market combining HoReCa/gastronomy distribution (listed with restaurant and bar suppliers, plus direct partnerships with named bartenders and hospitality groups such as the Gekko Group, Golden Bar, and Bar am Wasser in Zurich) with a direct-to-consumer e-commerce shop at shop.aquamonaco.com and selective retail presence. Pricing is unit-based with no publicly disclosed tiers, and there is no subscription or licensing revenue model. Marketing is community-led through the "Good People" network of bartenders, chefs, artists and hoteliers, the Good Monaco social/environmental initiative, and cultural collaborations (e.g., Albert Oehlen, Public Possession, Biennale de Lyon 2024), with no evidence of paid advertising. The company serves three principal customer segments: creative gastronomy/bar professionals (primary), health-conscious retail consumers, and hotels and restaurants seeking differentiated premium beverages. Geographic reach spans Germany (DACH core) plus France, the Netherlands, and additional countries via HoReCa partnerships. No external funding rounds, parent company, or institutional investors are disclosed.

Name

Aqua Monaco

Legal name

Aqua Monaco GmbH

Website

https://aquamonaco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aqua Monaco is a Munich-based premium beverage company producing mineral water, craft mixers, organic sodas, and aperitif drinks from the Munich gravel plain aquifer, serving bars, restaurants, hotels, and retail consumers across Germany, France, the Netherlands, and additional European markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Beverages

NAICS

Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111), Bottled Water Manufacturing (312112), Soft Drink and Ice Manufacturing (31211)

SIC

Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Sparkling/Carbonated Bottled Water Production (AFAFACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Flavored/Enhanced Bottled Water Production (Essenced, Vitamin, Electrolyte) (AFAFACAF)

Keywords

• Premium mixers
• Mineral water
• Organic sodas
• Aperitif beverages
• Craft cocktail ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Premium Mixer Sales: Revenue is generated through the sale of premium mixer products (Tonic Water, Ginger Beer, Ginger Ale, Bitter Lemon, Cola, Soda Water, Golden Monaco) and Organic Mixer lines to the gastronomy sector (bars, restaurants, hotels) via direct sales/supplier listings and to consumers via retail and the company's own e-commerce shop. Products are sold in reusable glass bottles in multiple sizes (0.33L, 0.75L).
2. Organic Soda Pops Sales: Sale of the organic soda pop line (Apple & Pear, Cucumber & Mint, Lemon Bergamot, Rhubarb & Ginger, Matcha Energy, Orange & Passion Fruit) targeting health-conscious consumers and gastronomy, with reduced sugar formulations.
3. Mineral Water Sales: Sale of Aqua Monaco mineral water in two variants — Blue (sparkling) and Red (still) — in retail and gastronomy bottle formats, sourced from the Munich gravel plain.
4. Co-branded and Limited Edition Products: Revenue from collaborative/co-branded products such as Gekko Monaco Tonic Water (with Gekko Group), Tonic Limmatien (with Dirk Hany), Kafftee (with artist Albert Oehlen), and limited edition collaborations like the AQPP Oase with Public Possession.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aqua Monaco manufactures and sells premium mineral water (sourced from Munich gravel plain), premium mixers for professional bar use, organic mixers, organic soda pops, and aperitif mixers under its own brand. Products are packaged exclusively in reusable glass bottles and sold through gastronomy suppliers, retail, and the company's own e-commerce shop, with signature offerings including the Golden Monaco Extra Dry Tonic and a bar-optimized Cola.

Product overview

Aqua Monaco is a Munich-based premium beverage company offering a diversified portfolio of over 20 products across multiple categories: mineral water (sparkling Blue and still Red in various bottle formats sourced from the Munich gravel plain), classic mixers (Tonic Water, Golden Monaco Extra Dry Tonic, Ginger Ale, Ginger Beer, Bitter Lemon, Cola, Soda Water), an organic line of mixers (Organic Ginger Beer, Organic Tonic Water, Organic Herbal Tonic, Organic Bitter Lemon, Organic Ginger Ale) and organic soda pops (Apple & Pear, Cucumber & Mint, Zitrone Bergamot, Rhubarb & Ginger, Matcha Energy, Orange & Passion Fruit), an aperitif mixer line (Basil Bergamot, Grapefruit, Mandarin Chinotto, Yuzu Soda, Yuzu Tamarindo), plus special collaborative products (Kafftee, Tonic Limmatien, Gekko Monaco Tonic Water). All products are vegan-certified and climate-neutrally produced, packaged in reusable glass bottles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Good Monaco: Initiative supporting monthly local projects in culture, social, and ecology with each bottle sold.
• Apero Mixer
• Kafftee
• Golden Monaco
• Tonic Limmatien
• Gekko Monaco

Products and services

• Classic Mixers Premium mixers designed for professional bar use to pair with gin, vodka, rum, bourbon, tequila, and mezcal. Includes high-carbonation, less-sweet formulations optimized for long drinks and highballs. Targeted at bartenders, restaurants, hotels, and retail consumers.
• Golden Monaco Extra Dry Tonic Extra Dry Tonic Water with less sugar, more quinine, fine carbonation, and subtle cardamom and juniper aromas; designed to complement gin without masking it. Created for mixology professionals seeking a new category in the bitter lemonade cosmos.
• Organic Mixer Line 100% organic, EU-BIO certified mixers using cold-pressed Peruvian ginger, wild-harvested Bolivian cinchona bark, and Mediterranean organic citrus. Suitable for organic and sustainability-focused bar programs and consumer purchases.
• Organic Soda Pops Reduced-sugar organic sodas targeting health-conscious consumers and gastronomy. Variants include Organic Apple & Pear with only 2.6g sugar per 100ml and Organic Matcha Energy with caffeine and guarana.
• Apero Mixer Line Specialized aperitif mixers designed for Prosecco, Champagne, Aperol, Campari, Tequila, Rum, Vermouth, and similar spritz-style and aperitif drinks. Yuzu Soda is the first Aqua Monaco aperitif mixer without sugar and without sweeteners.
• Aqua Monaco Mineral Water Premium mineral water sourced from the Munich gravel plain (Münchner Schotterebene). Red (still) has exceptionally low nitrate values and low sodium; Blue (sparkling) offers refreshing carbonic acid. Available in retail and gastronomy bottles for HoReCa and consumer use.
• Co-Branded and Special Collaboration Products Limited edition and co-branded products developed with named bartenders, hospitality groups, and artists. Include Gekko Monaco (exclusively served in Gekko Group hotels), Tonic Limmatien, Kafftee coffee-tea blend, AQPP Oase limited edition, and Carotte Mix for art installations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organic Apple & Pear contains only 2.6g sugar per 100ml, demonstrating aggressive sugar reduction
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Healthy Boy Band & Public PossessionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration for the Biennale de Lyon 2024 to create the 'Public Health Care' project featuring fermented carrot drinks with ginger and verbena and carrot drink, available through vending machines at the exhibition. Aqua Monaco provided the beverage base as part of this hospitality-themed art installation.
• Amalia Mazzarello (Boxer)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Since early 2020, Aqua Monaco supports Amalia Mazzarello (Luzmilareyes), an Argentine boxer and electronic music artist based in Munich, with financial support, training clothing, and beverages. Ama trains at Mariposa Boxing Studio in Munich's Sendling district and competes in German boxing championships with a record of 29 wins and 2 losses.
• Dirk Hany / Bar am WassercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Dirk Hany, awarded Swiss Best Bartender at Diageo Reserve World Class 2019 and owner of Bar am Wasser (ranked among Switzerland's best bars in Falstaff Barguide 2020), collaborated with Aqua Monaco to create the Tonic Limmatien. This tonic features notes of grapefruit, edelweiss, cubeb pepper, cardamom, and Mediterranean lemon, with cold-brew coffee concentrate. It represents the new gastronomic culture of his Zurich bar.
• Gekko GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018The Gekko Group (hospitality company operating hotels and restaurants including Roomers Hotel Munich) partnered with Aqua Monaco to create the Gekko Monaco Tonic Water, launched in late 2018. The product features notes of turmeric, mint, orange, and pepper, with exclusive serving in Gekko Group properties since 2019. Branimir Hrkac (Executive F&B Director, Gekko Group) cited finding the ideal partner in Aqua Monaco for their courage and creativity.
• Golden Bar / Klaus St. RainercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKlaus St. Rainer of the Golden Bar in Munich collaborated with Aqua Monaco to create Golden Monaco, described as the first 'Extra Dry' Tonic Water in history. This partnership established a new category in the bitter lemonade cosmos and has lasted over ten years. The collaboration involves joint product development precisely tailored to bartender needs.
• Albert Oehlen (Artist)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with German artist Albert Oehlen to create Kafftee (Cofftea), a coffee-tea beverage available exclusively at select exhibitions and Kafftee vending machines. The project was presented at Serpentine Gallery London, Palazzo Grassi Venice, Musée d'Art de Saint-Gall, and Beirut's Aishti Foundation. Currently available at the Tony Salamé collection in Beirut.
• Public PossessionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with design/art collective Public Possession to create limited edition product lines such as the AQPP Oase (spring edition of 0.33L mineral water bottles with custom graphics, accompanied by beach towels, tote bags, Riso posters, and ambient cassettes). Also collaborated on the Carotte Mix for the Biennale de Lyon 2024.
• Good Monaco Initiative PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly support for local cultural, social, and ecological projects in Munich and beyond through the Good Monaco initiative. Also supports Bolivian cinchona bark farmers through the supply chain partnership. The monthly donated amount is publicly disclosed on the company website.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• House of Tonic: Smaller craft tonic and mixer brand with bartender-led development and premium positioning. Comparable as an emerging craft mixer player overlapping on bar-optimized recipes and limited-edition collaborations, though at smaller scale.

Direct peers

• Q Mixers: US premium mixer brand positioning around less-sweet recipes and bartender-grade ingredients. Direct comparable on the 'premium, less-sweet, bar-optimized' mixer thesis that Aqua Monaco also pursues.
• Fentimans: UK craft premium mixer and soda brand with botanical-led recipes and HoReCa focus. Comparable on premium craft positioning, bartender co-development heritage, and emphasis on natural ingredients over mass-market soft drinks.
• Fever-Tree: Global leader in premium carbonated mixers (tonic, ginger beer, cola) targeting the on-premise gin & tonic and cocktail occasion. Closest direct comparable on product, HoReCa-first GTM, and premium positioning, though at significantly larger scale.
• East Imperial: New Zealand-origin premium mixer brand distributed internationally into bars and hotels. Comparable as a craft premium tonic and ginger beer specialist with HoReCa-led GTM and bartender co-development.
• Thomas Henry: Berlin-based premium mixer brand (tonic, ginger ale, bitter lemon, soda) with strong German HoReCa and bar industry presence. Closest head-to-head competitor in the DACH market with overlapping bartender-led distribution and mixology positioning.

Regional players

• Gerolsteiner: Leading German mineral water brand with sparkling and still variants. Comparable as a German regional mineral water competitor with strong local sourcing identity and retail/gastronomy distribution, but focused on water rather than mixers.

Broad incumbents

• Sanpellegrino: Italian mineral water and flavored sparkling beverage brand (part of Nestlé Waters). Comparable as a premium European mineral water plus flavored sparkling drink portfolio with strong HoReCa and retail presence.
• Britvic: Large international soft drinks company with mixer portfolios (tonic, ginger beer) under brands like Britvic and mixer partnerships. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering mixer and carbonated soft drink categories through multiple formats.
• Schweppes: Established global mixer and carbonated soft drink brand under Keurig Dr Pepper. Overlaps across tonic, ginger ale, and bitter lemon but at mass-market scale across multiple packaging formats; relevant as the broad incumbent Aqua Monaco differentiates against.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/aqua.monaco
• Instagraminstagram.com/aqua_monaco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aqua-monaco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aqua Monaco