With many making the decision to cut back on or even eliminate alcohol from their lives, a new kind of beverage is taking centerstage.
Enter Better Than Booze, a revolutionary social beverage company serving up non-alcoholic, hemp-derived canned mocktails that are infused withTHC (3mg) and CBD (15mg). Available in three flavors, Rosemary-infused Grapefruit Paloma, Elderberry-infused Gin and Tonic, and Mint Mojito with Lime, Better Than Booze boasts the ability to “help people feel highly social without the hangover.”
Not only are the cocktails revolutionary; so is their co-founder. Drea Groeschel is breaking down barriers and stigmas as a woman in a relatively male-dominated field. Plus, she’s showing consumers that hemp derived drinks can be a sophisticated, yet still delicious, choice for everyone. We chatted with Groeschel about launching a better beverage.
Nashville Lifestyles: How did Better Than Booze come to be?
Drea Groeschel: I made the decision to reduce my alcohol intake because I was tired of the negative side effects and wanted an overall healthier option. I wanted to create a non-alcoholic beverage that was just as delicious and still gave me the buzzy relaxation at the end of a long day but without the hangover. I work a lot and I’m a mom so there isn’t time to feel crummy. There were some no hemp-based beverages that were cocktail flavored on the market, but they still didn’t have the exceptional flavor I craved. So, I co-founded Better Than Booze.
NL: How did you learn about the CBD side of the business?
DG: I personally had a lot of catching up to do when it came to knowledge about CBD and the hemp plant, but I was developing the beverage under Nusachi Inc, an innovator in the hemp industry with a deep knowledge of the plant, so I was in good company! The team spent several years in research and product development to design a one-of-a-kind emulsion that creates the magic combination of CBD and THC in our Better Than Booze drinks. Having product science gurus around me was the only way.
NL: What’s been the hardest part about launching the business?
DG: The hardest part is getting over your own emotional concerns. Launching a brand is challenging and it always carries a personal part of the founder—the thread of the belief and creative “ah ha” moment—which is really an intimate look into me as a person. It can feel like I’m exposing myself in public, with a product for everyone to see. But I have such strong conviction with this beverage brand, and I’ve been unwavering on what it should be since the start. When the cans are being filled on the production ine, nothing could be more exciting!
NL: From a consumer perspective, what’s your favorite thing about Better Than Booze drinks?
DG: My favorite thing is that they are so delicious! I also love the feeling it gives me: mellow, calm, relaxed, but still within myself. I don’t like feeling out of control and this gives me just the perfect vibe for hanging with family and friends. We are actively breaking down the stigma of “stoner culture” and gearing towards working professionals and parents. This is really for those that need a little destressing at the end of the day and want to enjoy something special.
NL: What’s next for the brand?
DG: We’re expanding! [Already available throughout Nashville] Better Than Booze will be introduced to several new states in the southeast early 2023, so keep an eye out for where we’re headed next. (drinkbetterthanbooze.com)