Frequently Asked Questions

How do I contact Hella Cocktail Co.?

Please reach out to us through our Contact page. You can tell us specifically what you want to talk about.

Where do I buy Hella Cocktail Co. products?

The answer to this very important question depends on which of our products you want to purchase. Not all our our retail partners carry everything we make, but checking with one of the following is a good start. Please click our store locator where you can sort by zip code and locate retailers that carry Hella.

Of course, you can always order from our e-commerce site or Amazon.

Does Hella Cocktail Co. have any job openings?

We love this question! Please reach out to us through our Contact page for up-to-date job listing.

Can I sell my bitters in my grocery/specialty/alcohol establishment?

If you are unsure, please check with your local officials, however our bitters are widely distributed and sold in all segments, grocery, specialty and liquor/wine. Bitters are considered a food item, not an alcohol item due to the serving size (the dash for a food item vs. the ounce for an alcohol item), and can be sold in retail stores that do not have a liquor license.

I'm interested in having Hella Cocktail Co. sponsor an event. How do I do that?

Amazing! Please reach out to us with more information about your event through the Contact page.

Unfortunately, we don't accept returns of products or do exchanges of product. If your order was damaged in-transit, or if you've received the wrong Hella Cocktail Co. order, please reach out to our customer service team immediately by emailing hello@hellacocktail.co.

Where does Hella Cocktail Co. ship?

We ship within the 48 contiguous US states, and Alaska and Hawaii. We cannot deliver to PO Boxes or Military APO/FPO addresses. All products ship via UPS Ground out of Vermont.

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping is automatically calculated prior to submitting your payment information. Our shipping rates are based on UPS. Hella Cocktail Co. does not add any additional shipping fees.

When can I expect my order?

Orders placed Monday – Friday typically ships within 48 hours via UPS ground out of Lynchburg, VA (zip code: 24501). Please reference the UPS ground time in transit map for estimated arrival: https://www.ups.com/maps. Once the order has left our facility, a confirmation email will be sent with tracking information.

Is it safe to drink Bitters & Soda when pregnant and expecting?

We're going to give you the long answer so that you can be informed about Bitters & Soda and make the choice that is right for your health and that of your baby.

As stated in this Wikipedia entry, in the US, products that contain 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) or less may be labeled as "Non-Alcoholic." In the case of Bitters and subsequently Bitters & Soda, the presence of alcohol is a byproduct of the bitters making process. Hella Bitters (the concentrated form, not the sparkling water form) are all-natural, non-GMO verified, alcohol-based flavor extracts. Hella uses alcohol because it is the purest solvent and an all-natural preservative, delivering the highest quality bitters possible. The government defines bitters as a "non-beverage," meaning simply that the flavor is too potent to drink on their own. It's that potency that means one only needs to use minute amounts to help flavor our Bitters & Soda. Although there are trace amounts of alcohol in our Bitters & Soda, it is below the legal limit of 0.5% ABV. Furthermore, many commercially available natural flavors are also alcohol-based. On an extremely granular level, many of the enhanced sparkling waters on the market would also read more than 0.0% ABV.

Some everyday and unexpected food and beverage products have trace amounts of alcohol, including hot sauces, sugar-free gum, protein bars, over-ripe fruit, non-alcoholic wines & beer, sparkling apple cider, yogurt, and even rye bread! One particularly famous example is Kombucha. This fermented tea is not alcohol-free but has less than the legal limit of 0.5% ABV. Some home-brewed Kombucha can have as much as 3-4%. Consuming these products is considered safe by some and avoided lock, stock, and barrel by others. Some pregnant women will be comfortable with trace amounts of alcohol during their pregnancy. They might follow European cultural practices where it's customary to imbibe lightly. But if you avoid products like these because of the possibility of trace amounts of alcohol, then you should avoid Hella Bitters & Soda as well.

Here is an article about Bitters & Soda written by a new mother and editor at the Food Network. She professes to have made mixed up her own using alcohol-based bitters throughout her pregnancy and was delighted to find that, now, Hella had done the work for her: https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/shopping/2019/06/best-bitters-soda-drink-hella-cocktails

Do Hella Cocktail Co. products contain artificial ingredients?

Absolutely not! Hella Cocktail Co. products use pure cane sugar, fruit juice concentrates, fruit peels, natural extracts, spices and bitter root. We do not use preservatives, artificial flavors, dyes, or high-fructose corn syrup.

Do your products contain colors or caramel?

Heck no! Our products do not contain any artificial ingredients.

How often do you come out with new flavors?

We’re very proud of our core assortment of flavors. In large part because they’re so simple and fundamental to craft cocktailing. That said, we do occasionally release new or limited edition flavors. Please subscribe to our mailing list for updates.

Do I have to refrigerate my Hella Cocktail Co. Bitters after opening?

No. Because of their high-alcohol content it’s not necessary to refrigerate the bitters. We recommend displaying them proudly on your bar next to all the other good stuff.

Do I have to refrigerate my Hella Cocktail Co. mixes after opening?

Yes. Because of their all natural ingredients refrigerate the mixes after opening.

How long can I enjoy my bitters after opening?

The bitters are good indefinitely after opening. Although the official best by date is printed on each bottle.

How long can I enjoy my mixes after opening?

With proper refrigerated storage, up to six weeks.

Are cocktail bitters considered alcohol?

Hella Bitters are an alcohol based flavor extract. They are classified as a non-beverage by the TTB. Anyone with allergies or restricted to 0% alcohol consumption should not consume our bitters.

Is Hella Cocktail Co.'s Kosher?

No. We have not yet invested in Kosher certification although we produce in facilities where other Kosher goods are packed.

Are your products organic?

No, not yet. We work hard to source the highest quality ingredient the market has to offer at a price that we can afford. So while individually some of our raw materials might be organic, not all of them are guaranteed to be. Our products currently have no certifications.  

What type of sugar do you use in your cocktail mixes?

Only Pure Cane Sugar. Never high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

Why is there sugar in your cocktail mixers?

Along with citrusy and salty, the sweet is a critical component to a well balanced cocktail. That said, we know that the spirits used to mix drinks carry a lot of residual sugar. That’s why Hella Cocktail Co. mixes and syrups tend to be on the less-sweet or dryer side.

What do I do if my cocktail mixers appears separated?

Not to worry! Give it a good shake and you’re off to the races. Hella Cocktail Co products are made with all natural ingredients and without stabilizers so separation is normal. Due to high juice content color of the products vary and may darken over time. This is normal with natural products and will not affect the taste. Please shake well before each use!

Are your cocktail mixes pasteurized?

Indeed they are! We prepare our mixes at 180 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that they are food safe when they go in the bottle. We work hard to keep that momentary heat brief to maintain the fresh flavor of fruit juices.

How much sugar is in your cocktail mix?

Please refer to the individual product pages for a full list of nutrition facts and ingredients.

Are your products gluten-free?

Yes! All Hella Cocktail Co products are crafted using ingredients that are free of Gluten.

Do you use High Fructose Corn Syrup?

Never! Our products are sweetened with pure cane sugar; never high fructose corn syrup.

Do your products contain peanuts?

No, our products do not contain peanuts. They are produced in a peanut-free facility.

Do your products contain tree nuts, soy, fish, wheat or dairy?

Our products do not contain any of the above, but they are produced in a facility that does. While our team has strict cleaning and allergen programs in place to minimize the possibility of cross-contamination, any item produced on a shared line runs a slight risk of contamination. Customers with severe allergies should take this into account when deciding whether to consume our products.

Is your Bloody Mary Mix Vegan?

Everything we make is vegan except for Hella Bloody Mary mix. Our Bloodies are made with real Worcestershire Sauce and, therefore, contain Anchovies. Yum.

How long will my product last after opening?

Cocktail Bitters: No refrigeration needed.....shelf stable that will last indefinitely.

Cocktail Mixes: Refrigeration required after opening. Hella Cocktail Co Cocktail Mixes will be good for use up to 6 weeks after opening.