DPI will sample the entire For Bitter For Worse line at Booth 1001—
Portland, Oregon (January 9, 2023) This year DPI is highlighting innovative brands, and one newcomer is an innovator within a new category—adult non-alcoholic beverages.
For Bitter For Worse founder Shelley Elkovich describes her company as a “super natural” brand. She cites a Bacardi report indicating consumer demand for cleaner N/A cocktails: “Consumers who desire to eat less processed food with fewer artificial additives and reduced refined sugar are applying this logic to drinks, with future thinking brands emerging to tap into this growing base.”
Despite dramatic category growth, consumers are literally thirsty for sophisticated yet healthy options, Elkovich says, because “most non-alcoholic cocktails still contain lab-derived ingredients, make health claims that may not deliver, or taste like an inferior version of the alcoholic spirit they mimic.”
Don’t think these botanical cocktails are “granola,” or boring, however. The brand’s bold, complex flavors won seven international medals in spirits competitions to date and was recognized by New York Times Wirecutter among the best drinks of 2022.
DPI Specialty Foods Director of Marketing Mark Edwards says, “We were introduced to For Bitter For Worse during our 2022 innovative brand competition and we’re so excited to work with them in 2023. The entire adult non-alcoholic beverage category is dynamic and growing in a thrilling way. For Bitter For Worse beverages are ‘Farmed and Foraged in the Pacific Northwest’ and are perfect for our customers looking for a non-alcoholic, yet fantastic, beverage choice! At DPI, Bringing the Best to Market, is much more than our tagline.”
Four Award-winning Varietals, Two Formats
Best-selling Eva’s spritz is a sparkling aperitif: tart, herbaceous, with bright citrusy notes and a bitter finish. Eva’s spritz won a gold in London at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, the world’s oldest drinks contest. The New York Times Wirecutter also recognized the sparkler as one of the best drinks of 2022. Eva’s spritz is shelf stable and packaged in a 750 ml sharing format (SRP $27.50) and single-serve 6oz cans (SRP $5.50).
Rose City Fizz is an approachable, fruit-forward sparkler with rich dark berry flavor punctuated by fresh ginger and Douglas fir tips. This spritz won a silver medal in the aperitifs category at the LA Spirits Awards and is a 2023 Finalist for the Good Food Awards. Rose City Fizz is shelf stable and packaged in a 750 ml sharing format (SRP $27.50) and single-serve 6oz cans (SRP $5.50).
The Saskatoon is described as red wines’ mysterious, wiser friend. The New York Times Wirecutter recognized it among the best drinks of 2021 and likened the flavor profile to a grassy pinot noir. The Saskatoon won a silver medal at the LA Spirits Award and a bronze medal in London. The Saskatoon is shelf stable and packaged in a 750 ml sharing format (SRP $27.50).
Smoky no.56 is a potent nightcap, with “brown spirits vibes” and a smoky flavor profile tempered by citrus and a hint of maple. A gold medal winner at the LA Spirits Awards in the spirits category, this beverage is best enjoyed with a mixer. Smoky no.56 is shelf stable and packaged in a 750 ml sharing format (SRP $27.50).
Reverse Bootlegging Production Process
The Portland, OR brand is on the leading edge of innovation with their patent-pending "reverse bootlegging" distillation technique. The process, designed by Elkovich’s MIT-trained spouse, coaxes robust flavor from real organic botanicals, rather than natural flavors.
About For Bitter For Worse
The woman-owned company was founded by wife and husband team Shelley Elkovich and Jeff Heglie after an obscure neurological condition caused Shelley to break up with booze.
For Bitter For Worse launched in 2020. Featured in The New York Times and winner of several international medals, the company is a proud member of the vibrant Portland, OR food and beverage community. For Bitter For Worse is also a family affair, employing the couple’s son and daughter.
Stop by the DPI Booth (#1001) and ask to sample For Bitter For Worse’s four flavors!