Founded in 2014 (incorporated later), Drifter Spirits was co‑founded by Pete Nevenglosky, Nate Whitehouse, and Jeff Diego. They launched with a mission to introduce underrepresented global craft spirits—starting with Brazilian Avuá Cachaça and Scandinavian Svöl Aquavit—into the U.S. spirits market.
With backgrounds spanning brand management (Red Bull), legal (Goldman Sachs), and spirits design and distribution, the founding team sought to build a portfolio of culturally rich, small-batch producers and provide them a route to market.
By 2019, Drifter had achieved $1.3 M in sales of Avuá Cachaça and added $150K+ from its Svöl Aquavit launch during its first six months—for $4.3 M cumulative lifetime sales between 2013–2019.
The brand earned media attention for transparency, quality, and international flavor sourcing. Distributors and bar/restaurant partners across 35 states carried their portfolio (Avuá, Svöl, Gagliardo Bitter Radicale, and Paladar Tequila).
In June 2021, Drifter launched Drifter Craft Cocktails, a line of premium Ready to Drink (“RTD”) canned cocktails (Spicy Margarita, Passion Fruit Caipirinha, Moscow Mule) in collaboration with top bartenders like Nico de Soto, Mariena Mercer Boarini, and Michael Neff. In 2022, they expanded the line with a Nordic‑Style Gin & Tonic, blending Svöl Aquavit with gin, pear juice, and allspice, developed by mixologist Steva Casey. The RTD portfolio was available in select retail, restaurant, and online channels, with growing distribution into 22+ U.S. states and national shipping options.