Summer has arrived. And with it, higher than ever temperatures, thanks to heat waves and rather ominous-sounding weather phenomenons like the heat dome. As temperatures soar from the East Coast to the West Coast, and folks gather for summer BBQs, backyard gatherings, beach trips and pool days – ice cold beverages will be a necessity.
So we’ve compiled a list of summertime drinks from female entrepreneurs whose startup stories we’ve enjoyed – and who we think you should get to know. From rosé, to flavored seltzers, to functional beverages packed with minerals and adaptogens, there’s something here for everyone at the party to enjoy.
(All images courtesy of the companies.)
Drink Besa
Tori Brodsky has been leading the helm of Drink Besa since 2022. With a background in nutrition science, she became interested in making convenient drinks with quality ingredients, such as canned wine that’s, in fact, pretty darn good (we tried the “sexy and bright” white wine). Drink Besa also offers a line of hard seltzers, which it says are among the first on the market to use organic wine instead of malt liquor or spirits. The 5% ABV drink comes in three flavors – peach, fruit punch, and citrus – and is, according to Brodksy, “the ideal summer beverage: Delicious, premium, and truly unique.”
Bow & Arrow Brewing Co.
“We didn’t set out to be the first Native-woman-owned brewery in the United States, but I’m told we are,” says Shyla Sheppard, founder of Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. She and her partner, Missy Begay, take inspiration from the American Southwest, incorporating traditional Indigenous ingredients into their craft beers. Their beers, like “Dance In and Out of The Beams of a Neon Moon” (a fruity IPA), and “Cactuscolada” (a Pina Colada-inspired sour ale) are available in their Albuquerque, New Mexico, tap room – where they are served cold straight from the tap – as well as other locations.
Heti
Dana Thompson, who built the celebrated Owamni restaurant, is now turning her attention to the functional beverage space. Her new business, Heti, is a health-conscious brand selling low-dose THC beverages. The name itself means “home” in Dakota; Thompson is a direct descendant of the tribe through her mother. Evoking a sense of place — and the flavors of home — is intentional. “I wanted something that resonated with what the people I know were asking for,” Thompson told The Story Exchange in a recent interview, especially women who wanted to relax with something other than wine. There is a home-related social-impact component to her business model in the works, as Thompson also plans to create hempcrete housing on tribal lands with some of the profits.
Trois Noix
Jaime Araujo says her Napa Valley winery, Trois Noix, was born from a lifelong love of wine. She’s not only passionate about what ends up in the bottle, “but also how it got there, what happens when it fills your glass, and how it can bring a table of people together.” And how’s this for a summertime drink: The winery’s Sonoma Valley Rosé, made from pinot noir, contains aromas of papaya, just-ripe strawberry, and crushed rose petals. Reviewers on wine app Vivino called it “light-bodied with a tart plum finish” and “very refreshing.” Trois Noix recommends pairing with grilled seafood and summer vegetables … or just sipping on its own, if you don’t have grand cooking plans on the hazy horizon.
All Phenoms
Cristina Kown’s sparkling waters, All Phenoms, are packed with organic fruits and filled with vitamins, adaptogens, minerals, prebiotics and probiotics. Her aim? To offer a super healthy alternative to sugary sodas. The Redondo Beach, California-based entrepreneur is a self-proclaimed healthy beverage fan – but was dismayed that most of the drinks on the market contained tons of sugar, or low-quality ingredients. We imagine All Phenoms drinks in flavors like berry hibiscus, citrus ginger and mango lemongrass would do a good job of keeping you sufficiently hydrated at any sweltering gathering.
Boyd Cru
AJon’ll Boyd’s journey to opening her winery, Boyd Cru Wines, began when she observed the overall lack of diversity in the wine industry. Indeed, less than 1% of wineries are owned by people of color. Boyd and her husband launched in April 2023 – and in the process, became the first family-owned, federally permitted and state-licensed winery in Maryland, as well as one of only 100 Black-owned wineries in the United States. Their Community Vidal Blanc, a crisp white wine that made our 2023 gift guide, is perfect for a family gathering, or a day at the park or beach. Boyd wines are available at a number of wine stores in the greater Maryland/D.C. area, though they also ship to most states.
Wildwonder
Rosa Li’s sparkling probiotic beverage company, Wildwonder, was inspired by her grandmother’s home-brewed herbal tonics that she used to drink as a kid. Today, the San Francisco, California-based entrepreneur offers flavors like “mango gold,” “strawberry passion,” and “guava rose” – all of which contain less sugar than sodas, and even kombucha. If you’re based in California, you can find Li’s Windwonder drinks at Whole Foods, but the company also ships nationwide.
(This article, first published July 1, 2024, has been updated for 2025.)