Spirit of Gallo has revealed its acquisition of Fishers Island Lemonade, a female-founded beverage brand. A pioneer in the ready-to-drink (RTD) category, Fishers Island Lemonade was among the first to package premium craft cocktails in cans. Fishers Island Lemonade, boasting a 9% ABV, is a standout in the premium RTD sector with its unique and robust flavor profile that combines barrel-aged whiskey and premium vodka. The four-pack is available at $15.99.
Founder Bronya Shillo's journey began in Bloomfield, Connecticut, where she grew up, and continued during her summers on Fishers Island, New York, where her family owned and operated The Pequot Inn, the island's sole bar. It was at The Pequot Inn that the signature "FIL" cocktail was handcrafted in 15-liter batches, due to its immense popularity among locals and visitors. The demand for this delicious drink often led to it selling out, prompting bartenders to step away to make more. During her tenure as a manager at the bar, Bronya conceived the idea of canning the cocktail. This would not only speed up service for her customers but also make the delightful taste of Fishers Island accessible to a wider audience. After two years of research and development, Bronya launched Fishers Island Lemonade on Memorial Day 2014, pioneering the canned cocktail category. Today, canned cocktails like Fishers Island Lemonade and High Noon from Spirit of Gallo are key contributors to the success of the RTD category.
Together, Spirit of Gallo and Fishers Island Lemonade aim to share the unique taste of island life with a broader audience in the United States.
Britt West, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Spirit of Gallo, commented on the trend in the ready-to-drink category, saying, "Consumers are upgrading to spirits-based cocktails and demanding more full-flavored, higher ABV products, reflecting the overall trend of spirits premiumization in the United States." He added, "Having known Bronya for over a decade, I have watched her bring Fishers Island Lemonade from a concept all the way to its success as one of the highest-quality and best tasting canned cocktails in the market. Spirit of Gallo is so honored that she has entrusted us with her visionary idea, and we are galvanized to work with her as she remains on board to guide the brand and serve as its official spokesperson. Together, we will highlight the unique sense and taste of island life to more consumers across the country."
Bronya Shillo, Founder of Fishers Island Lemonade, expressed her gratitude for the brand's growth and success, saying, "When I launched Fishers Island Lemonade nearly a decade ago, I never could have imagined the overwhelming love and support we received that allowed us to grow the brand from a single cocktail into a family of full-flavor spiked lemonade craft cocktails in a can. Spirit of Gallo has a proven record of innovation and success in the RTD category, and there is no other organization I would trust to take Fishers Island Lemonade to the next level. I am ecstatic for this opportunity to support and further grow the Fishers Island Lemonade brand."
Fishers Island Lemonade's family of products now includes Fishers Island Half and Half (7% ABV) and Fishers Island Pink Flamingo (7% ABV), with a suggested retail price of $15.99 for a four-pack and variety 8-pack options. The brand recently achieved Platinum, Double Gold, and the Consumer's Choice Award at the 2022 SIP Awards, as well as Gold at the 2023 San Francisco Spirits Awards.
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
