Jennifer Lopez launches Delola Spritzes 

Hollywood actress, singer and dancer Jennifer Lopez has launched a range of premium spirit-based ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails named Delola.

The RTD cocktails, which are gluten free, low in calories and made with natural botanicals, are packaged in glass bottles for easy sharing when entertaining friends.

The first release, which comes from JLo’s new company ‘The House of Delola’– which counts drinks company Beam Suntory as a minority investor and global distributor – is named Delola Spritz and will be available in three cocktail variants.

The flavours within the Delola Spritz portfolio will include: Bella Berry Spiritz, made with berry, hibiscus and premium vodka; Paloma Rosa Spritz, made with grapefruit, elderflower and premium Tequila and L’Orange Spritz made with orange, passionfruit and premium amaro.

Speaking about the launch, Lopez said: “I love entertaining and to relax and unwind with friends, but never found a drink that was right for me. I was in search of something that I could enjoy that fit the thoughtful way that I live my life. When I didn’t find it, I decided to create Delola.”

The name ‘Delola’ derives from Lopez’s nickname ‘Lola’ which she has hinted reflects her more playful and carefree side, while the inspiration for the spritzes came from one of her favourite places to unwind – the Italian coast.

Lopez explained how, when creating the Delola cocktail brand, her goals were “better ingredients, better taste, fewer calories than traditional cocktails, and one simple pour” and stated that she wanted “something easy, fun, fresh and delicious” and insisted: “I knew that if I was looking, others were too”.

According to Lopez: “Delola gives people the freedom to enjoy – free from the cutting, squeezing, and mixing, free from the stress of entertaining, free to make ordinary moments extraordinary. Each one is bottled up in a beautiful glass bottle and ready to serve. Just pour over ice and enjoy. I started this journey two years ago and I’m so excited to finally share Delola with the world.”

Lopez admitted that she initially began developing Delola in 2020 in collaboration with drinks industry veterans, Ken Austin and Jenna Fagnan and her manager and business partner Benny Medina, but has since brought in mixologist Lynnette Marrero to collaborate on the cocktails. Marrero was voted 2021 ‘World’s Best Bartender’ by her peers around the world and is known for her ability to create the finest, most delicious world-class crafted cocktails.

Jenna Fagnan, co-founder of Delola revealed: “Ken and I have been inspired by Jennifer’s hands-on approach to building the Delola business. What Jennifer is bringing to consumers is something that has been missing from the market. We all live busy lives and it is nice to know you now don’t need to be friends with the world’s best mixologist to get the world’s best cocktails. You can just pick up a bottle of Delola to host your friends, or to spoil yourself just a bit. We all deserve world-class crafted, delicious cocktails made with natural botanicals and without all the calories of a traditional, high-proof cocktail. Delola is what many of us have been seeking.”

Delola co-founder Ken Austin added: “Jennifer’s work ethic ranks up there with the best and we’ve worked closely together for over two years to ensure we are bringing the very best product and an exciting, engaging brand to the world. Jennifer pays attention to every detail and won’t settle for anything less than the best. Every detail from the brand’s name to its elegant bottle with meaningful embossing, to the fine liquids are led by Jennifer and her vision for the brand. We are excited for the world to try Delola. It’s all in the bottle, delicious and effortless, just pour over ice.”

The Delola bottle is embossed with the ‘Delola Crest’ which was inspired by the Bronx crest, Lopez’s hometown, and with lions and ivy vines around the labels that Lopez art directed.

Jessica Spence, North America president of Beam Suntory, stated: “When Jennifer, Benny, Ken and Jenna came to us with the Delola concept, we immediately knew we wanted to be involved. Our partnership with Delola is part of our larger global RTD strategy and Delola is the perfect complement to the brands in our portfolio. We are incredibly excited to leverage our capabilities to bring Delola’s unique proposition to consumers and make it a tremendous success.”

Wayne Chaplin, CEO of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits concluded: “Jennifer Lopez is someone we know and admire as a global multi-talented artist and entrepreneur. People around the world love her for many reasons and we are thrilled to represent Delola in the US with Jennifer, Benny, Ken, Jenna, and our partners at Beam Suntory. We have known and worked with Ken and Jenna who have created iconic brands such as Teremana Tequila with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey with Conor McGregor and Avion Tequila. Launching Delola created by such an iconic team will undoubtedly be another great success.”

Delola will be available starting April in three expressions, all approximately 110 calories or less per serving: Bella Berry Spritz (10.5% ABV), Paloma Rosa Spritz (11.5% ABV), and L’Orange Spritz (10.5% ABV). The cocktails will be available in 750ml bottles retailing at US$22.99 and 375ml bottles retailing US$11.99 in fine grocery and spirits establishments, restaurants, and bars, with a continued roll out planned throughout spring.

Initially, the company will launch in the US with the RTD cocktails, but then plans to expand globally in the years to come.

Lopez and the Delola team have also revealed that they are working to develop a scholarship initiative that will contribute money towards higher education for women who might not otherwise be able to receive that education.