Laura Taylor’s story is one of both personal and entrepreneurial transformation. After making the difficult decision to quit drinking, she quickly discovered how isolating it could feel in social settings without a cocktail in hand. This experience led her to create Mingle Mocktails, a brand that celebrates choice and fosters inclusivity, allowing anyone to feel part of the party, drink or not. From her beginnings in corporate tech to launching Mingle in her garage in 2017, Laura has navigated the challenges of establishing a brand in a rapidly growing market. Today, Mingle is one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverage brands in the U.S. and is now available in major retailers like Whole Foods and Target. In this interview, Laura shares her journey, the early challenges, and her mission to make social events inclusive for everyone.

Laura, what’s your story? Can you share what led you to launch Mingle and how your personal journey shaped the brand?

Before launching Mingle Mocktails, I spent much of my career as a tech salesperson and executive, and during that time, I made the decision to quit drinking. When I re-entered social settings I was unprepared for the physical and emotional reality of being alcohol-free. I learned that I relied on having a few cocktails to ease the anxiety of both work and social situations, so I found it incredibly challenging to navigate these situations without a cocktail in my hand.  As a result, I scoured the internet and supermarkets for a mocktail option and found I was limited to just soda or boring sparkling water. I started going to parties and events with a few cans of diet ginger ale in my purse so that I could have something that looked like a cocktail in my glass. I was invited on a girl's weekend in the mountains and, knowing there’d be a little drinking, I decided to make my own mocktail as opposed to packing diet ginger ale. The first evening when my girlfriends started pouring wine and cocktails, I poured my pretty pink mocktail into a wine glass and had a game-changing experience; I finally felt “part of” and socially connected in such a beautiful way that I knew I had to bring that experience to anyone who chooses to be alcohol-free for a night as a lifestyle choice. I came home from that trip and went straight to my laptop to learn more about this category and, within a few weeks, I’d developed a business plan and rough product pitch that I started socializing with people, and I learned very quickly that there was a growing need for a fun and festive option that ensures everyone feels part of the party.  

Image: Mingle’s portfolio.

Many entrepreneurs struggle with the leap from concept to creation. How did you turn the idea of Mingle from a home-based project into the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverage brand in the US?

My corporate background turned out to be the perfect training ground for entrepreneurship. Along the way, I discovered just how crucial collaboration and networking are — whether working with corporate teams or managing retail and production partnerships. I started as a sales engineer, making calls to steel mills and potato chip factories, before moving on to manage high-level relationships with Fortune 100 CEOs. I learned how to work with plant managers, quality engineers, marketing executives, senior vice presidents, and sales leaders, giving me perspective across supply chain, operations, marketing, and sales.  While my path may be unusual, I’m one of the few who can say that my degree in Industrial Engineering helped lay the groundwork for my transition from the corporate tech world to founding Mingle Mocktails.

Starting Mingle in your garage back in 2017 must have come with challenges. What was the hardest part of building the business early on, and how did you overcome it?

It definitely came with its share of challenges! My #1 obstacle was overcoming my personal fear of failure. I had worked so hard to build a career that I loved, that I was afraid of leaving all that behind to start at ground zero launching a product in one of the most competitive industries, the beverage industry, in a category that had not yet been defined, the adult non-alcoholic beverage category. I worked my full-time job while working on Mingle in my spare time for about 18 months and realized I had to do one or the other.  My husband encouraged me to move forward with Mingle when he simply said, “Leave your career and give it a try, you can always go back!”  That statement gave me permission to take a leap of faith and go for it, which led me to where I  am today.  

Once I really dug into Mingle I learned that I had to focus on educating both consumers and buyers what a mocktail is and why they should care, before even selling it.  I developed a three-step approach of (1) sharing what a mocktail is, (2) providing data supporting the growing population of people drinking less or not at all, and (3) positioning Mingle as a great solution for people not wanting to be stuck with boring soda or water. This seems very logical today, but in 2019 the only adult non-alcoholic options were Fre Wine and O’Douls Beer.

Image:  Laura Taylor and Reagan Taylor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the Social Media class to talk about their journey building Mingle Mocktails.

The non-alcoholic beverage market is booming, but it’s also competitive. With so many products out there, how do you ensure Mingle stands out and secures prime shelf space in major retailers?

Standing out in the non-alcoholic beverage market is crucial, especially given its competitive nature. Our vibrant, fun, and welcoming packaging is a key factor — it not only adds a touch of excitement to any bar cart but also makes Mingle visually appealing on store shelves. It's designed to catch the eye and invite consumers in. Additionally, it's important to me that Mingle is positioned alongside alcoholic beverages rather than next to sodas or sparkling waters. This placement reinforces our identity as an alternative to alcohol, helping us secure prime shelf space in major retailers. By educating retailers on the value and inclusivity that Mingle brings, we're able to carve out our niche in this growing market.

With the growing number of alcohol-free options, we lean into three key differentiators:    

Our fantastic award-winning flavors surprise and delight consumers to buy and buy again. We’ve enhanced our lineup with cocktail-inspired creations like the Key Lime Margarita, Cranberry Cosmo, and Cucumber Melon Mojito. 

Everyone can Mingle with confidence as it’s safe for people on medication, nursing or pregnant because there are no mind-altering additives, no artificial flavors, and no trace amounts of alcohol.

Mingle offers unmatched flexibility with 3 options in one as Mingle may be enjoyed as a ready-to-drink mocktail, mixed with spirits for a light cocktail, or enhanced with a function of choice (like CBD, adaptogens, or TCH) so everyone can enjoy Mingle their way.

Image: (L-R) Cucumber Melon Mojito, Cranberry Cosmo, and Key Lime Margarita.

Mingle is now available in thousands of retailers nationwide, including some of the biggest names like Amazon, Whole Foods, and Target. What were the key moments or partnerships that really helped Mingle scale?

Mingle’s nationwide growth has been driven by pivotal partnerships and strategic decisions. First, securing distribution with major retailers like Total Wine, Whole Foods, CVS, Walmart, and Target has positioned us directly in front of our target consumers. Our partnership with RNDC and KeHE, two of the nation’s leading distribution companies, further enhanced our national presence and on-premise footprint. My advice to other brands is to understand the value you offer to distributors engage their decision-makers thoughtfully and learn what’s important to them before providing your standard sales pitch. 

To further amplify our brand, we employed multifaceted marketing campaigns, leveraging social media influencers like Bethenny Frankel and Flavor Flav, while also establishing a robust social media presence and media coverage — all of which have helped strengthen our brand identity, and drive consumer trial and loyalty.

Bethenny Frankel became an investor after discovering Mingle organically. How did that relationship develop, and what has her involvement meant for the brand?

Bethenny was actually on the vision board I created when I first launched Mingle Mocktails in 2017 — her success as a trailblazer in the beverage industry has always inspired me. So when she organically reviewed Mingle on her TikTok, it felt like a truly full circle moment. I was flooded with messages from friends and family sharing her post, and I immediately knew I had to reach out. That initial connection led to her becoming both an investor and a strategic partner, helping to drive brand awareness among our target demographic and bringing invaluable business expertise that’s helped shape our retail and growth strategies.

Image: Bethenny Frankel.

Bars and restaurants are increasingly adding non-alcoholic options to their menus. Why do you think offering mocktails and low-alcohol beverages can be a financial win for these establishments?

Offering mocktails and low-alcohol beverages is a financial win for bars and restaurants because consumers are actively seeking these options. Almost half of the people who drink alcohol are actively trying to drink less, and 75% of them reach for booze-free beverages, according to the Food Institute. Providing these folks with sophisticated non-alc alternatives at bars, restaurants, and venues not only enhances their guest experience but increases revenue by tapping into a growing market — it’s truly a win-win.

Mingle is a leader in the non-alcoholic space, but what does success look like for you personally? Do you envision Mingle expanding into new markets or product lines?

Success for me personally is seeing Mingle available everywhere alcohol is served or sold. It’s thrilling when I hear strangers or friends-of-friends discover Mingle on their own, but my bigger vision is for Mingle to be the #1 non-alcoholic cocktail brand, particularly for women. I want to look back in a few years knowing I gave it my all to make that happen — seeing Mingle stocked in sports arenas, convention centers, resorts, airlines, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and more. Along the way, we’ll definitely be expanding with some exciting new flavors as well!

Looking back at your journey, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering launching a brand in such a rapidly growing market?

One piece of advice I’d give to someone launching a brand in a rapidly growing market is to stay true to your vision and purpose because you will need to dig deep for motivation when working at the pace and volume needed to build your brand. It's easy to get overwhelmed by evolving trends and competition, but if you’re clear about what your brand stands for and the problem you're solving, that focus will guide you through the challenges. For me, Mingle Mocktails was about creating an inclusive, alcohol-free option so everyone feels included. I’ve been alcohol-free for nine years with ease because I now have a choice that can be enjoyed by anyone, anytime and we all feel socially connected,  and keeping that mission at the forefront helped me stay grounded and make decisions that aligned with my goals. Trust your instincts, work hard, and stay patient!

Image: (L-R) Mingle at Whole Foods Market and Publix.

Finally, can you share a fun fact or surprising insight about Mingle or your entrepreneurial journey that people might not know?

A fun fact about Mingle Mocktails is that it almost had a different name! I originally called the brand 'Lola’s Mocktails' because Lola represented the confident, social persona I wanted to create. However, after some feedback, I reconsidered and brainstormed over 120 options — some were awful, like ‘Swirl,’ and others made no sense to anyone but me, like ‘Sterling,’ which was inspired by the graceful way sterling birds flock together. One day, the name ‘Mingle Mocktails’ just came to me. It perfectly captured the fun, social vibe I was aiming for. Despite initial skepticism, I trusted my gut and knew it was the right fit. The name stuck, and Mingle Mocktails was born! This experience taught me that trusting my intuition is often more powerful than relying solely on expert opinions. I remind myself that I know more than I give myself credit for, and my gut usually guides me in the right direction.

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Conclusion:

As Mingle Mocktails continues to gain momentum, Laura Taylor’s story serves as a testament to the power of vision and persistence. From her background in tech to leading a category-defining brand, Laura has shown that innovation often comes from a deeply personal place. Her commitment to making social settings inclusive and enjoyable for all is at the heart of Mingle’s success. Looking to the future, Laura’s goal remains clear: to see Mingle available everywhere alcohol is served, making it easier for people to feel included and connected, no matter their choice. As the non-alcoholic category continues to flourish, Laura’s story reminds us that, sometimes, the most impactful brands are those that start with a personal purpose and a passion to connect.

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

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