Many of my fondest memories have been shared over a toast. From birthday cheers or celebrations of my grandparents at holidays to the awkwardness I have emitted on first dates, a good toast is always a great way to break the ice and ring in good tidings. Töst Beverages is making life one big celebration after another by introducing its 12-oz bottles, perfect for those wanting the uniquely luxurious tasting and non-alcoholic beverage daily.
“Töst was created to be inclusive so that everyone can enjoy it together, whether at a casual lunch or at a Michelin star restaurant,” CEO Brooks Addington shares with me. “The next stage for us was to create a single-serve bottle.”
Found in locations as far west as Chicago and as far south as D.C., the Vermont-led company is looking to its distributors and retailers to spread the news of its unique charm and complex flavor, but it already has many companies knocking on its doors. Brooks tells me that, just recently, he received an email asking where Töst could be located because it was a necessity in the mixed drink to rule them all: Sauvignon Blanc, St. Germaine, Töst, and a wedge of lemon for good measure.
“We’re making a big push on the mixed drinks side. The beverage works seamlessly with alcohol, but you can have it on its own, too, and it’s just as delicious,” Brooks expresses. “Töst uses about one-third of the sugar that is in soda. You get all the flavor without all the sweetness. Right now we are focused on getting the product out there to be seen, tried, and enjoyed. What we find is that when people try it, they love it and want more. Now, we are trying to just get it in front of people and let the beverage do the rest of the talking.”
With foodservice and retail companies’ interest gaining speed, I begin to wonder what the intrigue will be for consumers when they spot the 12-oz bottles on the shelf.
“The bottle is clean and crisp. We have a single, vertical label. We didn’t crowd the bottle with a lot of information. We used a sleek and slender bottle—it has more of a wine bottle feel to it. The information we do provide is off-centered so that when you look at the bottle’s label, you can see through the back end, which offers a really clean appeal. We also have a twist cap for easy opening,” Brooks tells me, before diving into what will keep consumers coming back for more. “Sophisticated, refreshing, meaningful, dry, and crisp—that’s what we’re going after. It has a ginger taste to it, but it has various citrus notes to it, also, to open it up. People are thrilled to have a non-alcoholic option, and our product offers a sophistication.”
Moving forward, Töst has big plans to expand its options. The company is expecting to introduce two line extensions, one that has been worked on and another that is still in development.
New products to be enjoyed? Now, that is something to toast about!
