When Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka was awarded Vodka of the Year at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards, it marked a key moment for a young brand with a clear vision. Founded by Zereen Mirabello and produced in Riverhead, New York, Angry Giraffe is rooted in South African inspiration, New York-sourced ingredients, and a commitment to building a distinctive, woman-owned business. Its sharp identity—both visually and philosophically—sets it apart, and its growing presence in U.S. and Canadian markets reflects careful planning rather than rapid expansion. In this conversation, Zereen discusses what the award means for the brand, how it will shape marketing strategy, and why staying close to origin stories matters in today’s spirits landscape.

Congratulations on Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka being named Vodka of the Year at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards. How do you plan to leverage this win in your brand communications and broader marketing strategy, both in the U.S. and internationally?

Thank you for this incredible recognition. We are honored and deeply proud to be named Vodka of the Year by the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards. This win is more than a title—it’s validation of the passion, precision, and purpose behind Angry Giraffe Vodka.

We plan to leverage this achievement across every touchpoint—from updated packaging and point-of-sale materials to digital campaigns and press outreach. It will serve as a key pillar in conversations with new distributors and retail partners, both nationally and abroad, establishing instant credibility and trust.

Social media will be a major driver—we’ll spotlight the award through curated storytelling, behind-the-scenes content, and celebratory campaigns that deepen engagement with current fans and attract new ones. This win also offers a perfect platform to highlight our South African roots, our woman-owned origin story, and our mission to bring bold flavor and elegance to every glass.

This moment isn’t just a celebration—it’s a launchpad for our next stage of growth.

Image: Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka crowned Vodka of the Year by the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards.

Angry Giraffe is inspired by South African flavours, wildlife, and culture. How do you bring that spirit into the glass, and what’s the story behind the brand’s identity and name?

Angry Giraffe Vodka is a tribute to heritage, resilience, and unapologetic individuality. The essence of South Africa—from its rich cultural landscape to its majestic wildlife—lives in every bottle.

Our flavor profiles draw from the warmth and complexity found in South African ingredients. Whether it's the silky richness of our Double Espresso or the caramel-kissed smoothness of our signature variant, we’ve crafted each expression to be both adventurous and refined.

The name Angry Giraffe captures the spirit of our brand. The giraffe—elegant, towering, unmissable—symbolizes grace and strength. The “angry” twist reflects our bold edge: a woman-owned brand daring to stand tall in a male-dominated industry. It’s about commanding attention with confidence, without compromising authenticity.

With production based in Riverhead, NY, and grains sourced from within the state, how important is local sourcing and sustainability in your overall business model?

We believe exceptional products start with intentional values. By sourcing our grains locally in New York, we support our community, reduce our carbon footprint, and ensure quality at the source.

Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for us—it’s a business principle. Our grain-to-glass approach ensures transparency and environmental responsibility at every step, from distillation to distribution.

As a woman-owned brand built on passion and purpose, how are you positioning Angry Giraffe in the current spirits landscape, and who is your core target market?

Angry Giraffe is more than a vodka—it’s a statement. As a woman-owned brand, we’re carving out space with authenticity, bold design, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

We’re positioning ourselves as a premium lifestyle brand rooted in storytelling. Our identity speaks to consumers who value originality and purpose—those who want their purchases to reflect their personality.

Our core audience includes Millennial and Gen Z consumers, urban professionals, and socially-conscious drinkers looking for premium spirits with a soul. We also appeal to retail and on-premise buyers seeking something award-winning, eye-catching, and conversation-worthy.

In a crowded market, we don’t want to blend in—we want to stand tall.

Image: Founder - Zereen Mirabello; Source: Angry Giraffe Vodka.

Where can consumers currently find Angry Giraffe Vodka—both in retail and on-premise? Are there particular U.S. chains, independent stores, or restaurant groups that have embraced the brand?

Angry Giraffe Vodka is currently accepted in 7 Total Wine & More locations—6 in New Jersey and 1 in New York—with all three of our expressions: Premium, Caramel, and Double Espresso.

In addition, we have distribution in:

• New York: 18 retail stores and 5 on-premise locations, including Drifters, Savino’s, Grumpy Jacks, Spiro’s, and Sea Basin.
• Tennessee: 21 retail stores
• Canada (Edmonton): 4 retail stores

We’ve partnered with NWA Capital LLC in Arkansas, which is facilitating expansion efforts into Florida and the Midwest. A major Fall launch is planned at Ginio’s and Marty’s Restaurant in Chicago.

Our website, www.angrygiraffevodka.com, features a comprehensive list of store locations.

Image: Angry Giraffe Vodka.

What’s your distribution footprint beyond the U.S., and do you have plans to expand into additional markets?

While our primary focus remains on growing our U.S. footprint, we’ve already established retail presence in Canada and are actively pursuing international expansion.

As we continue building distributor relationships, we aim to expand thoughtfully, partnering with global distributors who share our commitment to quality, brand integrity, and long-term success. We want global consumers to experience the Angry Giraffe story, one bottle at a time.

How do you support your importers and distributors in terms of brand education and sell-through? What marketing activities do you undertake at the trade and consumer level to build visibility and trial?

We take a hands-on approach to supporting our trade partners. This includes:

• Brand education materials on our distillation process, tasting notes, and cocktail recipes
• Promotional tools and sales incentives
• Tasting events, retailer support, and festival participation (especially across New York)

On the consumer side, our social media presence—reaching nearly 8,000 followers—is a major driver of engagement. Our dedicated content creator posts consistently to spotlight tastings, retailer partnerships, and product updates. Paid social ads help direct traffic to in-store events and build awareness in target markets.

We’re not just building a brand—we’re building a movement around bold individuality.

Image: USA Trade Tasting 2017.

What sets Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka apart in a saturated market? Is there a particular tasting note, texture, or distillation element that defines it?

Angry Giraffe stands apart for its purity, balance, and distinct mouthfeel. Yes, we’re grain-to-glass—but the magic is also in the water.

We source our water from a pristine New York State aquifer, contributing a naturally clean minerality that elevates both texture and flavor. Combined with our advanced filtration process, the result is a vodka that’s exceptionally smooth, complex enough to shine in cocktails, yet refined enough to be enjoyed neat.

Image: Angry Giraffe Caramel Flavoured Vodka and Angry Giraffe Premium Vodka.

Finally, how would you suggest enjoying it—neat, on the rocks, or in a signature cocktail? Could you share a favourite recipe?

Our tagline says it all: So smooth, you can sip it on the rocks.

But it’s also incredibly versatile in cocktails. One of our favorites is the Savanna Caramel Espresso Martini, a bold twist on a classic that showcases all three of our vodkas, our Plain, Caramel, and Double Espresso.

Savanna Caramel Espresso Martini

• 1 oz Angry Giraffe Plain Vodka
• 1 oz Angry Giraffe Double Espresso Vodka
• 1 oz Angry Giraffe Caramel Vodka
• 1 oz freshly brewed espresso
• Garnish: 3 coffee beans

Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.

It’s smooth, sophisticated, and impossible to forget—just like the giraffe on the label.

Conclusion

What makes Angry Giraffe resonate isn’t just what’s in the bottle—it’s what surrounds it: a commitment to craft, cultural authenticity, and an entrepreneurial spirit rooted in identity. As the brand prepares for wider distribution and increased visibility following its Bartender Spirits Awards win, it does so without abandoning the values that earned it attention in the first place. Whether in a sleek Total Wine aisle or a lively Chicago bar, Angry Giraffe isn’t trying to mimic tradition—it’s building its own. And in doing so, it invites drinkers not just to taste, but to experience, the full measure of its story.

In conversation with Malvika Patel, Editor and VP, Beverage Trade Network

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