Famous People with Their Own Alcohol Brands
Celebrities have always had a knack for turning their fame into business ventures. From fashion lines to tech startups, the options are endless.
But there’s one industry that seems to attract stars like moths to a flame: alcohol. Whether it’s tequila, whiskey, vodka, or wine, famous faces are putting their names on bottles and raking in serious cash while doing it.
So why are so many celebrities jumping into the booze business? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest names who’ve traded the stage and screen for the distillery and vineyard.
George Clooney
Before he sold it for a billion dollars, George Clooney co-founded Casamigos Tequila with his buddies Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman. The story goes that they originally made it just for themselves, ordering so much from a distillery in Mexico that they figured they might as well start a company.
The tequila took off faster than anyone expected, becoming a favorite at bars and house parties across the country. When Diageo bought it in 2017, Clooney walked away with enough money to never work again, though he still does because, well, he’s George Clooney.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
The Rock didn’t merely venture into the world of alcohol. In 2020, he cannonballed right in with Teremana Tequila.
In its early years, the brand sold millions of cases, making it one of the fastest-growing spirits in history. Johnson created the brand with the intention of uniting people, and he is not hesitant to advertise it on social media, frequently sharing videos of himself sipping a drink after working out.
The tequila, which is produced in a tiny Mexican town in Jalisco, is renowned for being smooth enough to drink on its own or blend into a margarita.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds bought Aviation Gin in 2018 and immediately started marketing it with his trademark humor. His ads were quirky, self-aware, and went viral more times than anyone could count.
The strategy worked brilliantly, and just two years later, Diageo purchased Aviation for up to $610 million. Reynolds stayed on as a creative force, continuing to create hilarious campaigns that kept the brand in the spotlight.
His success proved that a celebrity doesn’t just need fame to sell alcohol—they need personality and a genuine connection to the product.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner launched 818 Tequila in 2021, and it immediately sparked both interest and controversy. Some critics accused her of cultural appropriation and questioned her connection to Mexican heritage and tequila-making traditions.
Despite the backlash, the brand won awards at spirits competitions and gained a solid following. Jenner has been vocal about her involvement in the development process, from taste-testing to designing the bottle.
The tequila comes in blanco, reposado, and añejo varieties, and it’s become a staple at upscale bars and celebrity gatherings.
Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg has his hands in more businesses than most people can keep track of, but his venture into wine is one of the most surprising. He teamed up with Australian winemaker Treasury Wine Estates to create 19 Crimes, a line of wines inspired by the British criminals who were shipped to Australia in the 1700s.
The bottles feature augmented reality labels that tell the stories of these convicts, making the wine as much about the experience as the taste. Snoop’s charisma and marketing savvy helped turn 19 Crimes into one of the best-selling wine brands in America.
Conor McGregor
Proper No. was introduced by Conor McGregor. In 2018, he named Twelve Irish Whiskey after his childhood neighborhood in Dublin.
Fans flocked to purchase the whiskey, which the fighter marketed as an homage to his Irish heritage. The brand was selling hundreds of thousands of cases in less than a year.
Although he is still the brand’s face, McGregor sold Proximo Spirits his majority stake in 2021 for an estimated $600 million. The whiskey is smooth, reasonably priced, and targeted at those who want to have a great time without going over budget.
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey didn’t start Longbranch Bourbon, but he became its creative director in 2016 when he partnered with Wild Turkey. The actor worked closely with master distiller Eddie Russell to create a smooth, Texas-inspired bourbon that’s filtered through Texas mesquite and oak charcoals.
McConaughey has been hands-on with the brand, appearing in ads and talking about the whiskey like it’s a character in one of his movies. His laid-back charm and genuine love for bourbon have helped Longbranch carve out a niche in a crowded market.
Sammy Hagar
Long before celebrity alcohol brands were trendy, Sammy Hagar was ahead of the curve. The former Van Halen frontman founded Cabo Wabo Tequila in 1996, inspired by his love of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The tequila became wildly popular, and in 2007, Hagar sold an 80 percent stake to Gruppo Campari for $80 million. He later launched another tequila brand called Santo Mezquila, blending tequila and mezcal into one bottle.
Hagar proved that rock stars could dominate the spirits industry just as much as they ruled the stage.
Drake
Drake teamed up with Brent Hocking, the founder of DeLeón Tequila, to become a partner and the face of the brand. The tequila is ultra-premium, with bottles that often cost well over $100.
Drake has name-dropped DeLeón in his songs and flaunted it in music videos, giving it serious street cred in the hip-hop community. The brand appeals to people who want luxury and exclusivity, and Drake’s involvement has made it one of the most recognizable high-end tequilas in the world.
It’s a status symbol as much as it is a drink.
Nick Offerman
Nick Offerman, best known for playing Ron Swanson on ‘Parks and Recreation’, partnered with Lagavulin Scotch Whisky in 2014. His love of whiskey wasn’t just a character trait—it’s genuine.
Offerman became the face of Lagavulin’s marketing campaigns, appearing in ads and even hosting an 11-hour Yule Log video where he silently sipped whiskey by a fire. The partnership felt authentic because Offerman’s personality and the brand’s rugged, no-nonsense image lined up perfectly.
He later released his own limited-edition expression called Offerman Edition Aged 11 Years.
Blake Shelton
Country singer Blake Shelton launched Smithworks Vodka in 2016, inspired by his Oklahoma roots and a desire to create an American-made spirit. The vodka is distilled in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and it’s marketed as smooth, affordable, and perfect for mixing.
Shelton has promoted the brand heavily on social media and at his concerts, making it a favorite among country music fans. The brand also released Smithworks Hard Seltzer in recent years, tapping into the growing demand for lighter, fruitier alcoholic drinks.
Shelton’s down-to-earth image has helped the brand feel accessible and relatable.
Post Malone
Post Malone launched Maison No. 9, a French rosé, in 2020. The wine is light, refreshing, and designed to be enjoyed casually, much like Post’s music.
He worked with a winemaker in Provence to create a blend that’s approachable for people who don’t consider themselves wine snobs. The bottle features a distinctive design with the number nine, which has personal significance to Malone.
The wine has become a hit at parties and summer gatherings, proving that Post’s appeal extends beyond the music charts and into the wine aisle.
Rita Ora
British singer Rita Ora co-founded Próspero Tequila in 2021, focusing on sustainability and quality. The tequila is made from 100 percent Blue Weber agave and produced using eco-friendly methods.
Ora has been actively involved in the brand’s development and marketing, emphasizing her desire to create a product that’s both delicious and responsible. The brand offers blanco and reposado varieties, and it’s positioned as a tequila for people who care about what goes into their drinks.
Ora’s global fanbase has helped the brand gain traction in Europe and beyond.
Dan Aykroyd
Dan Aykroyd launched Crystal Head Vodka in 2008, and the bottle alone is worth the price of admission. Shaped like a human skull and made from pure Newfoundland water, the vodka is filtered seven times and contains no additives.
Aykroyd’s fascination with the supernatural and the legend of the crystal skulls inspired the design. The vodka is smooth and clean, making it a favorite for people who enjoy their spirits neat or in simple cocktails.
The brand has won numerous awards and gained a cult following thanks to its unique presentation and high quality.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan partnered with Cincoro Tequila in 2019 alongside a group of NBA team owners. The tequila is ultra-premium, with bottles that can cost several hundred dollars.
Jordan’s involvement brought instant credibility and attention to the brand, and it quickly became a favorite among athletes and celebrities. Cincoro offers blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo varieties, each aged to perfection and designed for sipping.
The brand represents luxury and excellence, two things Jordan has been associated with his entire career. It’s tequila for winners.
Cameron Diaz
In 2020, Cameron Diaz and businesswoman Katherine Power collaborated to introduce Avaline, a line of organic, vegan-friendly wines. Rather than hiding behind fancy labels, this label emphasizes eco-friendly practices, honest sourcing, and transparency about production—all of which are significant advantages for people who care about well-being.
These drinks only use organically grown grapes and omit the unnecessary extras instead of packing bottles with extra junk. She has freely expressed how much she enjoys being a part of this endeavor and connected it to her own self-care and groundedness routines.
Many drinkers now stick with Avaline when they want something tasty but reliable at the end of the day because of its authenticity.
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake started Sauza 901 Tequila back in 2009 – picked the name from Memphis’s area code, where he grew up. This tequila mixes easily into drinks but also tastes good straight.
He didn’t just slap his name on it; he teamed up with Sauza’s team to shape how it should taste. It hasn’t blown past every celeb-owned rival out there, yet folks who like what JT stands for still reach for this one.
His vibe – clean, sharp, social – is exactly what the brand gives off.
Kate Hudson
When Kate Hudson founded King St. Vodka in 2019, her objective was to create a gluten-free, smooth beverage using alkaline water. This spirit undergoes seven distillations to produce an exceptionally crisp liquid that resembles filtered air.
She has been promoting it as something that is easier on the body if you’re drinking tonight and intend to function tomorrow, rather than just another type of alcohol. She emphasizes how this version strives for less irritation with each sip rather than strong aftereffects.
In a crowded vodka scene, the bottle stands out thanks to its smooth appearance and Hudson’s emphasis on wellbeing. This one is frequently chosen by people who enjoy having fun but are concerned about their health.
Off red carpets, onto high shelves
The celeb booze trend isn’t fading anytime soon. Famous names are cashing in by turning fame into drinks that sell fast, showing influence mixed with quality works well.
Some sip agave spirits south of the border, others brew aged whiskey deep in Kentucky hills – either way, stars keep making moves when Hollywood slows down. Fans dig sharing a pour from a bottle their idol had a hand in building.
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