NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley announced May 20 that it has acquired Strongwater. Strongwater is a Colorado-based producer of botanical beverages, bitters, and mixers. The deal expands The Perfect Purée’s presence in the premium beverage ingredient category. It also comes as foodservice operators, bartenders, and hospitality brands continue investing in craft cocktail and non-alcoholic drink programs.
The acquisition allows The Perfect Purée to add Strongwater’s award-winning mixers, bitters, and functional beverages to its existing portfolio. The company already offers fruit purées, concentrates, syrups, and freeze-dried fruit ingredients. Strongwater will continue manufacturing products in Colorado. It will also leverage The Perfect Purée’s national distribution network across restaurants, hotels, bars, and specialty retail accounts.
Readers can explore The Perfect Purée’s ingredient portfolio through its main product collection. They can also browse the company’s fruit purée offerings online.
According to Michele Lex, the acquisition reflects shared values around flavor innovation and craftsmanship. In the company announcement, Lex said both brands are aligned in supporting beverage professionals with premium ingredients designed to enhance cocktail and culinary programs.
Founded by Nick Andresen, Strongwater built its reputation around bitters, tonics, and botanical beverages. The products are inspired by Scandinavian and Asian herbal traditions. The company’s portfolio includes Grapefruit Soda, Black Walnut Bitters, and Spicy Bonfire Bitters. These products have received recognition from industry competitions, including the Bartender Spirit Awards and SIP Awards.
Andresen said the partnership would help Strongwater expand nationally. He also said the company plans to maintain its original mission centered on flavor experimentation and functional beverages.
Bitters, botanicals gain momentum in beverage innovation
The acquisition comes as beverage manufacturers and hospitality operators continue investing in premium mixers, spirit-free beverages, and botanical ingredients. Demand for low- and no-alcohol drinks has accelerated across the foodservice industry, with brands increasingly launching functional beverages, herbal tonics and elevated cocktail ingredients aimed at younger consumers and wellness-focused audiences.
The companies will jointly showcase products at Bar Convent Brooklyn, taking place June 9-10 at Industry City in Brooklyn, New York. Strongwater products will appear in cocktail and spirit-free beverage demonstrations at The Perfect Purée booth during the event.
Why it matters
The acquisition highlights continued consolidation within the specialty beverage and ingredient sector. Brands are competing in the growing premium cocktail and non-alcoholic beverage market.
For ingredient suppliers and beverage manufacturers, the move reflects broader demand for botanical mixers and functional beverages. It also points to growing interest in bartender-focused innovation.
The deal demonstrates how established ingredient companies are expanding beyond traditional categories. Many are moving into adjacent beverage segments with higher margins and increasing consumer demand.
The transaction also underscores how hospitality-focused suppliers are adapting to evolving consumer preferences. These preferences include wellness-focused drinks, craft beverages, and alcohol alternatives.
Editor’s note: Source86 perspective
For ingredient suppliers, beverage manufacturers and private label brands, The Perfect Purée’s acquisition of Strongwater reflects a broader CPG trend toward premiumization and functional beverage innovation. Botanical ingredients, craft mixers and spirit-free beverage programs are becoming increasingly important across foodservice, hospitality and retail channels.
At Source86, we help brands navigate ingredient sourcing and private label development. We also support co-manufacturing partnerships and supply chain transparency across evolving beverage categories.
Demand continues to grow for functional drinks, premium mixers, and globally inspired flavors. As the market expands, scalable sourcing and FSQA oversight remain critical. These efforts help brands maintain consistency and consumer trust. Let’s talk.
FAQs
The acquisition expands The Perfect Purée’s beverage ingredient portfolio into bitters, botanical mixers and functional beverages while strengthening its presence in the craft cocktail and non-alcoholic beverage market.
Strongwater products will continue to be produced in Colorado, according to the announcement, while benefiting from The Perfect Purée’s broader foodservice and hospitality distribution network.
Strongwater produces botanical beverages, bitters and mixers, including Grapefruit Soda, Black Walnut Bitters and Spicy Bonfire Bitters.
The companies plan to exhibit together at Bar Convent Brooklyn in Brooklyn, New York, on June 9-10.
External source: The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley Acquires Strongwater, Expanding Its Craft Offerings
