As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the countless women who have paved the way and continue to inspire us each and every day. It’s beautiful to see the women who are making their mark in the world of spirits and changing the game. An industry trailblazer to recognize is 21Seeds Infused Tequila and the impressive women behind the brand - three moms turned tequila aficionados and entrepreneurs.

Introducing 21Seeds Infused Tequila and its Co-Founders: Kat Hantas, Sarika Singh and Nicole Emanuel.

21Seeds is an award-winning tequila infused with the juice of real fruit and a brand that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and fun. The unique approach to tequila infusions has resulted in delicious and versatile flavors that appeal to both tequila enthusiasts and those who are new to the spirit including: Cucumber Jalapeño, Valencia Orange and Grapefruit Hibiscus.

“I created 21Seeds because it’s what I wanted to drink – something smooth, simple, and casual with a fresh, natural flavor that made drinking infused tequila as approachable as a glass of wine. Before it was a brand, it was just a couple of bottles infused in my kitchen with items I had on hand. Cucumbers, jalapeños, oranges, and grapefruit all worked in flavored tequila cocktails, so why not just add them straight to the tequila? What began as one bottle turned into dozens and eventually a new beginning. So, I knew I had to think bigger.” said Kat Hantas, Co-Founder of 21Seeds.

Hantas called up two women in her life who she believed in and could always count on - her sister, Nicole and bestfriend, Sarika. They wasted no time and headed to Mexico to search for a distillery partner, experimenting with various infusions and refining recipes. The 21Seeds distillery, primarily staffed by women, is under female ownership and has a goal to increase women’s representation in the industry. This was a crucial consideration for the 21Seeds founders, who take pride in selling a product that not only benefits their business, but also uplifts and supports women in Tequila, Mexico.

“We knew we had to come up with a powerful yet meaningful name for this brand we cared so deeply for. We thought about it. 2 sisters, 1 friend. And just like that, 21Seeds was born” said Hantas. “Our goal for 21Seeds is more than just a delicious, infused tequila: we want it to inspire you to gather your tribe of friends, new and old, cross borders, share ideas and make connections. It’s the seed of something bigger.”

The founders quickly realized a major obstacle on their entrepreneurial journey – the spirits industry has a long-standing history of being male-dominated. In meetings, they found themselves discussing the absence of a female-oriented product in the market to a group of men. They learned that it's not always an easy proposition for the decision-makers, but they were confident and equipped with the necessary knowledge, data, information, and intuition to back up their product. Staying true to their vision and focusing on addressing female consumers ultimately helped the 21Seeds founders stand out in a highly competitive market.

An ode to the pioneering women in their lives, one of 21Seeds’ signature cocktails is the (Wo)Manhattan. The founders put their feminine touch on a classic Manhattan it by lightening it up, swapping whiskey for 21Seeds Valencia Orange Infused Tequila, and changed out the orange bitters with chocolate bitters - a natural complement! Tie it all together with a luxardo cherry and orange rind garnish and you have yourself a perfectly balanced take on the original. The (Wo)Manhattan not only showcases the versatility of tequila but also highlights the creativity and innovation of women in the spirits industry. It is a testament to the fact that women can create, lead, and innovate in any industry.

Join us as we raise a celebratory glass filled with a delicious 21Seeds (Wo)Manhattan cocktail - CHEERS to all of the incredible women in our lives who make history every day!

For more information and fun monthly giveaways, follow @21Seeds on Instagram.

(Wo)Manhattan

Recipe:

• 1.5 oz. 21Seeds Valencia Orange Tequila
• 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
• 5 dashes Chocolate bitters
• 1 Orange slice

Preparation:

1. Add 21Seeds Infused tequila, sweet vermouth, and chocolate bitters to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
2. Strain and pour over a giant sphere ice ball in a lowball glass or chilled coupe.
3. Garnish with a beautiful slice of orange.