Charleston, S.C., – November 11, 2025 – Bittermilk Bottling Co., maker of handcrafted cocktail mixers inspired by classic recipes and time old techniques, is proud to announce that its Bourbon Barrel Aged Manhattan Mixer and Gingerbread Old Fashioned Mixer have both been named Finalists for the Specialty Food Association’s 2026 sofi Awards in the Alcoholic Beverages category — a distinguished honor recognizing the best specialty food products of the year.
The annual sofi Awards have celebrated excellence and innovation in specialty food since 1972. This year’s winners will be announced live in a ceremony at the Specialty Food Association (SFA)’s newest trade show, Winter FancyFaire*, January 11-13, 2026, in San Diego, California.
“Being recognized as a sofi Finalist for not one, but two of our products, is an incredible honor,” said Joe Raya, co-founder of Bittermilk Bottling Co. “To have Bittermilk be recognized among the best in the industry is a testament to our team’s dedication to craftsmanship, innovation and passion for creating bar-quality cocktails with real ingredients.”
Both the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Manhattan and Gingerbread Old Fashioned mixers stood out among more than 1,200 entries, judged by a panel of specialty food buyers in a blind tasting. Products were evaluated based on flavor, appearance, texture, aroma, ingredient quality, and innovation.
“There are thousands of food and beverage products that are sold on store shelves and yet amidst the multitude of options, these finalists have risen above their peers to receive top scores from our expert judging panel of buyers,” said Bill Lynch, president of the Specialty Food Association. “Congratulations to Bittermilk Bottling Co. and all the 2026 sofi Award Finalists!”
The Bourbon Barrel Aged Manhattan is one of Bittermilk’s newest mixers which is crafted with stone fruits, orange peel, and spices, then aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels to achieve a deep, rich flavor that perfectly complements rye or bourbon whiskey.
The Gingerbread Old Fashioned Mixer, a seasonal favorite, blends sweet sorghum molasses, fresh ginger juice, and gingerbread spices with a merry peppery finish to bring a festive twist to the classic cocktail. Mix it with an aged spirit like rum or whiskey for an effortless way to serve up a warm and spirited drink during the holidays.
Attendees at Winter FancyFaire* 2026 can sample both mixers at the awards ceremony on Monday, January 14.
The recognition comes after a landmark year for Bittermilk, which continues to expand its retail presence nationwide and introduce innovative seasonal flavors. The company recently increased its distribution footprint in key specialty and grocery retailers, while also growing its e-commerce platform.
“This accolade supports our mission to continue growing in new retail channels and to reach even more cocktail enthusiasts,” Raya added. “Recognition like this fuels our creativity. We’re always working on something new, and we’re excited to introduce new innovations and see where 2026 takes us as we continue to grow our business.”
The sofi Awards are considered the top honor in the $219-billion specialty food industry. Past winners have included some of today’s most recognizable and successful brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Kettle Chips, Fage Yogurt, Stonewall Kitchen and Vermont Creamery.
For more information on Bittermilk Bottling Co. Family of Brands and its award-winning mixers, visit www.bittermilk.com and follow on Instagram at @drinkbittermilk, or YouTube for cocktail recipes and tutorials.
About Bittermilk Bottling Co.
Bittermilk Bottling Co. Family of Brands, includes Bittermilk and Barcoop Bevy cocktail mixers, Tipplemans cocktail syrups, and Drinkmanship ready-to-drink cocktails. Each product is hand-crafted in Charleston, SC with all-natural ingredients and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the highest quality standards. Founded by former bartenders and husband-and-wife duo, Joe and MariElena Raya met while both attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. In 2010, the Rayas opened The Gin Joint, Charleston’s first craft cocktail bar, to spread the love of pre-prohibition cocktails and fine hand-crafted spirits. After years of success at the Gin Joint, the couple put their decades of experience and knowledge into starting Bittermilk. Bittermilk Bottling Co. continues to set the standard for premium beverage experiences and has been recognized by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the 2024 sofi Awards, as well as the Good Food Awards.
About the Specialty Food Association:
The Specialty Food Association (SFA) was founded in 1952 and is the not-for-profit trade association of the $219-billion specialty food industry. Representing more than 4,000 businesses worldwide, SFA champions industry participation and success for a diverse community of makers, buyers, importers, distributors, and service providers by producing events, programs, and year-round resources and education. SFA owns and operates the Summer Fancy Food Show, Winter FancyFaire*, and the sofi™ Awards, which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972. SFA also produces the e-newsletter Specialty Food SmartBrief, the Trendspotter Panel annual predictions and Show reports. Find out more at Specialtyfood.com, and connect with SFA on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X.
Media Contact for Bittermilk Bottling Co:
Ashley Mills
Golden Word PR
[email protected]
908-803-2604
Media Contact for the Specialty Food Association:
[email protected]