Celebrity alcohol brands that actually taste good

We all want a taste of the celebrity lifestyle. Now, thanks to a rapid rise in the number of VIPs starting an alcohol brand, we can.

Retailers are rolling out the red carpet for celebrity-backed drinks brands, as a whole host of A-Listers turn their talents from silver screen to spirit. But do these star-studded bottles deserve top billing, or are they just the Nepo Baby Guinness of the booze world?

We’ve scoured the bar shelves to bring you the top celeb drinks of 2024. Read on to judge whether these brands are earning their headlines, or riding the cocktails of fame.

1. Renais Spirits by Emma Watson

There are plenty of Harry Potter puns we could make to describe Emma Watson’s gin brand, Renais Spirits (Gin-ny Weasley, anyone?). But in truth, this is one luminary libation that can stand on its own without its owner’s National Treasure status.

Co-founded by Watson’s brother Alex, Renais is a luxury gin made using a base spirit crafted from upcycled grape skins from the family vineyard.

The result is a bottle that draws on a rich winemaking heritage and Alex’s own decade of experience in the industry, all packaged sustainably and distilled ethically.

Ranked 52nd in this year’s Startups 100, our list of the top 100 new startups for 2024, Renais is already stocked by Selfridges, Scarfes, and Soho House, delighting gin drinkers and wizard fans alike.

2. Mixoloshe by Zayn Malik

Musician and heartthrob Zayn Malik joined Mixoloshe, a non-alcoholic cocktail brand, as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and co-owner last October, with the release of his very own lychee martini recipe.

Housed in a unique can design inspired by Malik’s tattoos, the new product taps into two trends: alcohol alternatives and sugar-free drinking. So is it a keeper? Or will Malik’s mocktails fizzle out?

Mixoloshe’s real-fruit flavour base is its USP. It claims this leads to a more complex and authentic taste for classics like the Mojito, or more unique creations like the Pineapple Margarita.

Stocked in a range of supermarkets including the US-based Walmart, Mixoloshe has made a splash stateside. Still, with the brand yet to launch here in the UK, it remains to be seen if Malik can win over British hearts for his business, not just his boy band.

3. Flecha Azul by Mark Wahlberg

Flecha Azul is the first tequila brand on this list, but it certainly won’t be the last. The drinks sector has embraced lime and salt for the past few years as more consumers turn up The Champs and lean into the tequila trend.

Hailing from the authentic region of Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, the company isn’t Marky-Mark’s invention. The actor, who is known for his 3am workout starts, first invested in the brand after being approached by co-founders Aron Marquez and Abraham Ancer.

The move paid off. Wahlberg has praised the low-calorie, ‘healthier’ buzz that tequila gave him, endearing Flecha Azul to millions of fans and gym freaks across the globe. Notably, Flecha made it to the top of Men’s Journal’s listing of best sipping tequila for 2021.

4. Betty Booze by Blake Lively

Marketing genius, or just a bit confused? Teetotal Blake Lively raised eyebrows when she unveiled some boozy additions to her range of non-alcoholic mixers last summer.

Leaping onboard the spicy tequila trend, the Gossip Girl actor’s new product line is infused with agave plus some unique blends such as ginger, apple, and lemon to distinguish it from the market.

Yes, a non-drinker launching a boozy brand feels jarring. But with a moderate 4.5% ABV and an early buzz in UK Whole Foods, Betty Booze is no mere publicity stunt.

The brand has even snagged an endorsement from a surprising source: a clearly-delighted Paul Hollywood appears in a short film on the Betty website to give Lively the much sought-after Hollywood handshake. Does this make Lively this week’s Star Brewer?

5. Sevenly Wine by Sarah Jessica Parker

From fragrance to fragrant, SJP first partnered with the New Zealand winemaker Invivo to launch her range of lower-alcohol wines back in 2019.

Since then, the joint venture is onto its fifth venture, SJP Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and entered the UK markets for the first time in October 2023.

Stocked by Sainsbury’s and comprising both Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé variants, the wines are a far cry from Carrie Bradshaw’s Cosmopolitans, but stay true to Parker’s own drinking habits (she recently told The Grocer “I wouldn’t have more than two glasses of wine ever”).

Not just a famous face, the wine is now sold by Ocado and by heaps of online retailers. And just like that, it has taken the UK by storm..

6. 818 by Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner’s 818 tequila launched with a potent combination: global brand recognition from a reality TV star, plus the ever-popular drink that is tequila. Yet, its early journey has been bumpy.

The initial marketing campaign sparked criticism, with accusations of cultural appropriation due to cowboy-themed imagery and concerns about Jenner’s connection to the tequila-making process and local agave farmers.

All this has distracted from 818’s smooth taste, which has far fewer complaints. It won Gold at the MicroLiquor Spirit Awards, and a SIP Innovation Award. Clearly, there’s potential. But as the brand evolves, navigating ethics alongside quality assurance will be crucial.

7. Wolfie’s Whisky by Rod Stewart

One quick glance at a Wolfie’s Scotch Whisky bottle is enough to tell you that this is a business built by, from, and for, Rod Stewart.

Somehow managing to blend Scotland, Rock ‘n’ Roll, America, and Cockneys, Wolfie’s ‘subtle nods’ are anything but. Alongside the Hooch, fans can also purchase a wall of associated merchandise including Wolfie’s playing cards, t-shirts, and trucker hats.

Stewart’s love of Scotland is equally present. Wolfie’s is distilled on the banks of Loch Lomond by an all-Scottish team, and it’s clear this is a product he’s put a lot of love into (the lyrics to “Rhythm of My Heart” are literally stamped on the bottom of each bottle).

Serious whisky fans will not be swayed – but who cares? This is a fun, easy-drinking blended scotch, made by a 78-year-old who loves a good time and wants you to have one too.