Christa Cotton was never the type to wait for permission or follow a conventional recipe. From her earliest days in Alabama, she held a deep appreciation for tradition—but with a spark in her spirit that hinted she’d someday reinvent it. Born into a Southern family with generations of beverage craftsmanship in their blood, Christa didn’t just inherit a legacy—she transformed it.
After studying business and learning the ropes in marketing and brand strategy, Christa knew she wanted to build something of her own. It wasn’t just about entrepreneurship; it was about preserving authenticity while rewriting what it meant to enjoy a drink. And so, she packed up her vision and moved to New Orleans—the birthplace of cocktails, culture, and creative alchemy.
That’s where El Guapo was reborn.
El Guapo wasn’t just a business—it was a mission. Christa had discovered the original brand in its infancy and saw more than a collection of bitters; she saw potential. Under her leadership, El Guapo evolved into a groundbreaking line of non-alcoholic bitters, syrups, and mixers handcrafted with precision, integrity, and roots deeply planted in the South. What set El Guapo apart wasn’t just the flavor—it was the soul in every drop.
She sourced ingredients ethically and often locally. She demanded zero shortcuts. And she ensured every bottle of El Guapo could proudly claim to be gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and absolutely free of artificial nonsense. What began as a niche idea—crafting non-alcoholic cocktail enhancers—became a revolution. At a time when wellness was colliding with the world of mixology, Christa was already several steps ahead, providing a sophisticated alternative for a changing generation of drinkers.
El Guapo earned its place on elite bar carts across the country and found its way into Michelin-starred kitchens, luxury hotels, and home mixologists’ pantries alike. The brand garnered accolades not just for its flavors but for its fearless female founder who redefined what a beverage entrepreneur could look like.
But Christa’s story isn’t just about business growth—it’s about personal courage.
Building a company from scratch is never easy, especially in an industry dominated by legacy names and masculine energy. Christa stood out, not just because she was different—but because she refused to back down. Every challenge she faced—be it funding, production delays, or societal bias—became fuel for her fire. She wore many hats: founder, CEO, mentor, mother, visionary.
Christa infused El Guapo with more than botanicals—she infused it with resilience.
And that resilience became contagious. Under her leadership, El Guapo grew into a proudly woman-owned manufacturing business rooted in the heart of New Orleans. It created jobs, sparked innovation, and inspired other founders—especially women—to step into spaces they were once told weren’t for them.
She didn’t just build a brand. She built a movement.
From dry bars to top-shelf cocktails, from Southern kitchens to global mixology stages, Christa Cotton made sure El Guapo spoke to the soul of a drink, not just the taste. And along the way, she reminded the world that when you mix passion, purpose, and a pinch of daring—you don’t just make bitters. You make magic.
Christa Cotton’s journey isn’t just about building a beverage brand—it’s about building a life of intention, grit, and purpose. Every part of her story weaves into bigger themes that inspire not only aspiring entrepreneurs, but anyone daring to dream beyond expectations.
She proved that tradition can be transformed. Christa didn’t abandon her roots—she reimagined them. Raised in a family steeped in the history of Southern beverage-making, she carried the legacy forward but refused to stay in its shadow. Instead of alcohol-based spirits, she crafted something new: non-alcoholic bitters that honored the craftsmanship of the past while aligning with the values of the present.
She turned wellness into elegance. Christa didn’t settle for boring alternatives. Her products didn’t just meet the demand for health-conscious choices—they elevated them. El Guapo wasn’t about sacrifice—it was about sophistication. With every small-batch creation, she gave people permission to enjoy refined flavor without compromising their health, values, or sobriety.
She showed that motherhood and leadership go hand in hand. As a mother and founder, Christa juggled baby bottles and bitters, late-night feeds and shipping deadlines. Her success sent a clear message: women can nurture families and companies with equal fierceness. Her journey proves that ambition doesn’t diminish love—it multiplies it.
She revived American manufacturing with heart. In an era when most companies outsource, Christa doubled down on quality, choosing to manufacture everything locally in New Orleans. Her decision brought jobs, revived regional pride, and ensured every El Guapo product carried a spirit that was unmistakably American, unapologetically Southern, and entirely original.
She became a symbol of quiet rebellion. Christa didn’t enter the industry with fireworks—she entered with focus. She let her work speak louder than hype. Her rise wasn’t fueled by overnight fame but by relentless refinement, by constantly choosing excellence when it would have been easier to choose shortcuts.
She built a brand that celebrates inclusion. El Guapo welcomes all—drinkers and non-drinkers, chefs and hobbyists, introverts mixing mocktails alone and extroverts hosting dinner parties. Her products invite people into the world of celebration without boundaries, guilt, or pressure. In her world, everyone gets to raise a glass.
She turned failure into fermentation. Every setback became an ingredient. Every rejection became a seasoning. Christa turned obstacles into opportunity, and doubt into drive. She brewed success with the patience of a craftsperson and the fire of a visionary.
She inspired a new generation of fearless founders. By being boldly herself—Southern, female, wellness-driven, unconventional—Christa unlocked doors for thousands of others. She didn’t try to fit the mold. She shattered it, and made room for others to do the same.
Christa Cotton isn’t just a founder. She’s a force. She reminds us all that you can be soft and strong, refined and raw, Southern and global, creative and commanding—all at once. With a bottle of El Guapo in hand and an unshakable vision in heart, she toasts to a better future—one drink at a time.
