There is a gap in the market for flavorful, infused sparkling beverages

During the last couple of years, several new and exciting drink categories have boomed; cocktail mixers, spiked carbonated drinks and sparkling beverages have all become massively successful emerging categories. Cannabis infused beverages are next in line, leaving a gap in the beverage industry for innovative, cannabis-infused beverages from a company that already has mastered the quality drinks category.  Combined, these markets represent a projected $150B+ in yearly revenue over the next 10 years.

18.21 Drinks: Cocktail mixers, spiked drinks and CNBS cannabis beverage line

18.21 is a beverage group poised to meet the evolving needs of the modern customer. We’ve established two brands with the intent of meeting every demand a modern consumer could make. 18.21 crafts premium sparkling beverages, bitters and spiked low ABV sparkling beverages. Our next line of products, under the CNBS brand, are low dose, cannabis-infused sparkling beverages that are low in sugar. For both, we use only the best ingredients and balanced flavor profiles, both of which are designed to elevate traditional cocktails and sparkling beverages. 

Incredible quality and amazing taste

The 18.21 focus is on high quality, flavorful cocktail mixers/sparkling beverages and spiked drinks. CNBS focuses on cannabis beverages, specifically cannabis infused sparkling beverages including both a CBD and THC line. Our nano technologists have developed a solution that enhances the water compatibility and bioavailability of the cannabinoids. The formulas have industry-leading stability, clarity, and taste that allows us to control the effectiveness, look, and flavor of products at scale, which also allows an extended shelf life without compromising the CBD and THC levels.  All of our cannabis beverages are low in sugar and high in flavor.

Available in 48 states and 6 countries

Our current products are carried in 48 states and 6 countries, and we've established brand recognition as premium cocktail mixers.** We have been featured at events like Music Midtown, NFL House, Shaky Knees/Shaky Beats, and Art Basel. 18.21 has also been selected to participate in the All Rise Factory Cohort by EnrichHER, a funding platform supporting historically underrepresented founders, and the Founders First Accelerator.  

Without any funding, we are profitable, with 7 figure yearly revenues and growing profit margins.  Due to increased interest, we are seeking funding to increase production. An investment will allow us to increase production by 8x and fulfill existing demand.

.  **The THC brands sold under the CNBS brand will only be sold in California. The CBD line will be available nationwide. 

For those looking for a premium beverage that doesn’t compromise a healthy lifestyle

Our customers are mostly Millennials and Gen X-ers looking to find premium beverages that align with a fun, active lifestyle.  Our product lines appeal to a broad diversity of consumers.  We have demand that we can't fill due to capital constraints and are on the verge of becoming a household brand.    

What Our Customers Are Saying:

Retailing online, in stores & at events 

18.21 Drinks are available for purchase both online and in stores. To date, we've secured over $5.5M in revenue. Our current distribution partners include RNDC, Breatkthru Beverage, Johnson Brothers, Winebow, Empire, and more. We are available online, in bars and restaurants, through retail, grocery and liquor stores. Our national accounts include, but are not limited to, Whole Foods, Total Wine and Spirits, Melting Pot, Del Friscos, Mellow Mushroom and through channels such as Amazon and Webstaurant Store.  We are also targeting an influencer driven campaign that utilizes entertainment, music and outdoor sports events to establish 18.21 and CNBS as lifestyle brands. 

A $150+Billion market opportunity

18.21 & CNBS are poised and ready to capitalize on four emerging product categories: non-alcoholic cocktail mixers, spiked carbonated beverages, sparkling beverages and cannabis-infused beverages. Cannabis-infused beverages are expected to grow to $5.5B+ by 2026. Interest has spiked from the beer industry on mounting evidence of a substitution relationship between cannabis and alcohol, while large soda companies increasingly view CBD as a natural fit within their strategically important wellness offerings. Our other market, non-alcoholic cocktail mixers and RTD cocktails, is currently a $5B+ market. With new adult-use cannabis markets opening up at increasing rates, and global sales of canned cocktails  predicted to surpass US$146 B over the next 10 years, 18.21 and CNBS are well positioned to be globally recognized brands.

Our competitive advantage

18.21 offers a unique competitive advantage: we are a spiked seltzer with under 5% ABV produced with a malt base, meaning we are in the same category as beers and other spiked seltzers. This means lower taxes and less regulations for our products, benefiting both us and our retail partners. 

For our THC & CBD line of products, we are offering a low calorie, no artificial sweetener product that delivers great flavor and effective infusions. Our nanotechnology offers enhanced  water compatibility and bioavailability of the cannabinoids. The formulas have industry-leading stability, clarity, and taste that allows us to control the effectiveness, look, and flavor of products at scale.

Capital infusion to meet growing demand

Our immediate vision is to launch our new line of cannabis infused products strategically, starting with the CBD on a national level and the THC in permitted states on the west coast. This allows us to dominate the emerging market and establish ourselves as category leaders in the beverage industry.  We are also at an inflection point with 18.21 where the demand for the product is outpacing our capacity for production.  We require capital to meet the accelerating demand for the product.

Capital raise will catapult 18.21 Drinks to national scale

Our founders have spent the past six years bootstrapping 18.21 to over $1.5M in yearly revenue and, while profitable, we are looking for growth. To finance the expansion of the current line plus the launch and subsequent early growth phase, we are seeking an investment to help with CNBS’s brand positioning, packaging and production. Capital is all that is needed to launch our brand to a national scale. 

Use of Funds

Female-led founders with a national vision

Missy and Kristin Koefod founded 18.21 Bitters during Atlanta’s Snowpocalypse in 2014. After Missy’s bout with cancer a few years earlier, she decided to give up the practice of law and do something she was passionate about. During that “snow storm” they played with all the ingredients they could get their hands on and started making bitters at home. Next came syrups and shrubs. They started a Kickstarter campaign to gauge interest in the market and, after exceeding their goal, were ready to hit the market with their unusual bitters flavors. After getting label approval and finding a commercial kitchen, they flew out west and started visiting bars and restaurants, pedaling mixers from a vintage suitcase. Within 6 months, they had accounts in 15 states and 3 countries.They opened a retail store, added a carbonated line and then fast forward 6 years and 18.21 Bitters is now carried in 48 states and 6 countries.