Founders Story
Missy and Kristin Koefod founded 18.21 Bitters during Atlanta’s Snowpocolypse in 2014. After Missys bout with cancer a few years earlier, she decided to give up the practice of law and do something she was passionate about. During that “snow storm” they played with all the ingredients they could get their hands on and started making bitters at home. Next came syrups and shrubs. They started a kickstarter campaign to gage interest in the market and after exceeding their goal, were ready to hit the market with their unusual bitters flavors. After getting label approval and finding a commercial kitchen, they flew out west and started visiting bars and restaurants pedaling mixers from a vintage suitcase. Within 6 months, they had accounts in 15 states and 3 countries. Fast forward 5 years and 18.21 Bitters is now carried in 48 states and 6 countries and operates out of their retail store in Atlanta’s Ponce City Market, where you can sample every product they make.