Hella Cocktail Co., a brand of botanically inspired mixers and beverages, has announced a $5 million investment from a fellow BIPOC-owned company, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in U.S. history.

Standing out with its inclusive category perspective and development, Hella Cocktail Co. secured this investment as part of Uncle Nearest Ventures, which seeks to uplift minority-founded, owned and led spirit companies.

Hella Cocktail Co. was the first BIPOC-founded, owned and led American beverage brand to be available in all 50 states, and its products are currently sold or used in more than 20,000 stores, bars, hotels and restaurants. The investment coincides with additional hallmark achievements, including the business’ 10-year anniversary and the innovation of a new beverage category with its line of Bitters & Soda. This partnership will propel the brand’s next phase of structural growth, funding continued recruitment to Hella’s team, stocking warehouses with enough inventory to meet the outpacing demand, and continuing to spread the brand’s message of creating a more expansive and inclusive cocktail experience.

Instantly recognizing Hella’s respect for culture and the incredible way in which this drives the brand’s success, the investment from the Uncle Nearest Ventures reflects a new legacy that aims to shape a more diverse landscape for cocktailing, according to the company.

“Investing in Hella Cocktail Co. was an absolute no brainer,” said Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest, Inc. “Our team members were already pairing their Bitters & Soda with Uncle Nearest, so I knew their products were made with excellence. What I didn’t know is the brand was founded by three men of African American, Mexican and Jewish descent. Once I learned that, I reached into Jomaree and said, ‘What do you need? It’s yours.’ We could not be prouder to back these three incredible leaders, who have bootstrapped this brand for a decade, never compromising on quality or messaging, and who have grown their company at such a rapid yet sustained pace that they’ve proven their brand is here to stay.”

For more information, visit Hellacocktail.co or unclenearest.com/unvf/.