ola sol: indulge without the hangover
I’m not typically one to turn down a margarita, but I know I’m not alone when I admit that the older I get the worse alcohol makes me feel. I find myself weighing the pros and cons asking, ‘is this drink worth a bad nights sleep?’ That’s why I was intrigued by Ola Sol. It tastes like tequila (and makes for a damn good margarita) but with half the calories and half the alcohol, so there’s no negotiating. We spoke with Alexis Beechen, CEO of Ola Sol, to find out more.
Ola Sol is made from agave like tequila and it tastes like tequila, but it's classified as a wine. Explain!
Ola Sol is indeed made from 100% blue weber agave from Jalisco, Mexico –– just like your other favorite tequilas –– but the difference with our product is that the agave juice is fermented rather than distilled. With that process, we yield a magical liquid that is technically categorized as a wine, but embodies the same essence of a blanco tequila with a smoother, cleaner finish, nearly half the alcohol content (24% vs. 40%) and, bonus, half the calories (30 cals per oz)!
Gen Z is reported to drink less alcohol compared to millennials and previous generations. Did that influence your decision to create a lower alcoholic beverage?
The funny origin story behind Ola Sol is that it was actually born of our team members entering their 40's and yearning for a "non-spirit" spirit that could take a little less toll on the body (especially when you know you have the kids' carpool duty in the morning!). The fact that we've encountered a full circle moment with Gen Z speaks to the fact that low ABV options are for everyone, which we embrace fully. Ola Sol is so versatile in its applications, so it's a real crowd pleaser across the board –– from the tequila lover to the tequila averse, the low ABV enthusiast to the seasoned sipper, and everything in between. We're really proud of that reach.
You being experts in spirits and us in pop culture, in a spirit contest between Ola Sol and Kendall Jenner's 818, who wins?
In our eyes, they both win! I think the real question is: what type of fiesta do you want to have? We'd suggest starting with Ola Sol during the day so you have the energy for an 818 night.
If you could create a custom cocktail for any celebrity who would it be for and what would you call it?
We know our girl Christine Najjar (@tinx) loves agave, so maybe a Tinx-a-Rita! And we're dying to have the inimitable Gwyneth Paltrow try our juice, so we could make a riff on her favorite cocktail inspired by her grandfather that usually calls for bourbon, lemon and maple syrup –– a Goop Hard Lemonade with Ola Sol, if you will.