This Girl Walks Into a Bar wins Kroger-backed emerging brand award

This Girl Walks Into a Bar Mixers was named a 2026 Emerging Brand winner at the Nourishing Change Conference in Des Moines, earning a path to expanded retail placement with Kroger and Hy-Vee. The female-founded organic mixer brand was one of three selected from more than 400 applicants, a signal that clean-label nonalcoholic drinks are gaining shelf momentum. Why it matters: - This Girl Walks Into a Bar Mixers could move into as many as 500 Kroger stores nationwide, plus Hy-Vee locations. - The award gives the Southern California brand a major retail runway after competing against more than 400 applicants. - The selection reflects growing demand for cleaner cocktail mixers as shoppers look for lower-sugar and nonalcoholic options. What happened: - This Girl Walks Into a Bar Mixers was named a 2026 Emerging Brand winner at the Nourishing Change Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. - Kroger and Hy-Vee hosted the conference. - Three companies were selected for broad retail expansion from a field of more than 400 applicants and 60 exhibiting brands. - Twenty finalists were recognized as standout brands. The details: - The brand is 100% female-founded and certified organic. - The current lineup includes Organic Margarita Mix, Organic Bloody Mary Mix and Organic Pineapple Mint Mojito Mix. - Each mixer is organic, vegan and non-GMO. - Each serving has 25 to 30 calories and 0 to 5 grams of sugar. - The products contain no citric acid, artificial dyes, gums, sodium benzoate or added flavors. - The mixers sell for $14.99 MSRP and come in 25.36-ounce bottles. - The products are available at independent retailers in California, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Hawaii. - The brand also sells on Amazon Prime and at TotalWine.com . - Distribution runs through KeHE and POD Foods. - The company is headquartered in Southern California. Between the lines: - The win positions the brand in a crowded category that has often leaned on artificial ingredients and higher sugar content. - Co-founder Jordan Catapano said consumers are drinking alcohol more mindfully and do not want the mixer category to be an afterthought when they choose zero-proof beverages. - Catapano said the recognition signals the industry is ready for cleaner mixers. - The company was built around a simple market pitch: no alcohol, no junk, no compromise. - Jordan Catapano and Jocelyn Dunn have worked together since childhood, first through a blog and three books in 2010 and later through a bartender staffing company in eight cities. What’s next: - The brand is positioned to add shelf presence through Kroger and Hy-Vee if the expansion opportunity moves forward. - Expanded placement could accelerate the company’s national reach beyond its current independent and online channels. - The award may help the brand build further credibility with grocery buyers focused on better-for-you beverage products. The bottom line: - This Girl Walks Into a Bar just turned a conference win into a possible national retail breakout.