Skinnygirl Cocktails, Founded By Bethenny Frankel, Named Fastest-Growing Spirit Brand

Skinnygirl Cocktails is the fastest-growing spirit brand according to a new industry report from Technomic. The ready-to-drink cocktail line, founded by entrepreneur and "Real Housewives of New York" alum Bethenny Frankel saw a 388 percent increase in growth, passing the 500,000-case mark.

Launched in 2009, Frankel built the burgeoning brand from a single offering -- the Skinnygirl Margarita. The line now includes three wines, four flavored vodkas and a pina colada mix. All of the offerings are low calorie, adding to the brands female-centric appeal. In 2011, the brand was sold to liquor giant Beam for an undisclosed -- and hotly debated -- sum.

"You have a product that was certainly on trend of being a lower calorie offering," Technomic's Senior Director Donna Hood Crecca told MSNBC. "It was backed by a celebrity that was coming on strong. And the liquid in the bottle itself is appealing, very female friendly. It’s also priced right."

According to the report, the spirits industry is steadily growing, seeing a 3.5 percent uptick in sales in 2011, which boosts spirits sales to account for 6.4 percent of total adult beverages, an increase of 0.3 percent since 2010.

Within the spirits category, vodka remains the largest with a 32 percent share of spirits volume. Other leading spirits include tequila, rye and whiskey.

Despite an unsteady economy, the report found that Americans consumed 199.8 million cases of spirits in 2011, with men and millennials having the most buying power.

Comments

[Juliana Hanner]

01:38 AM on 02/04/2013

Without taking issue with Frankel personally, her Skinny Girl line is very expensive and really is tasteless. I would not buy any of this product again. Drinking less of a tastier drink is far preferable to sipping this flat sour concoction she calls a margarita. Why Beam bought this brand is a mystery. Her RHONY hype and her own reality show elevated her status, but not her product. Really, really tasteless. Don't waste your money.

[PrunellaC]

06:54 AM on 05/03/2012

Since she sold it, how is this good news for Frankel?

And BTW, HP, it should be "adding to the brand's female-centric appeal. "

[PUAdropout]

03:20 AM on 08/13/2012

She didn't sell it completely, there are options where she can collect bonuses most likely, sales incentives for her to keep being a vigorous spokesperson

[LadyYalda]

01:30 AM on 05/03/2012

Love Bethenny. You go girl

[meanlady21]

08:24 PM on 05/02/2012

Go Bethany!!!

[colorstar69]

08:18 PM on 05/02/2012

Breaking News----Ramona Singer gives up Pinot for Skinnygirl!

[Lfwagh]

07:32 PM on 05/02/2012

I tried her Skinny Girl Cosmo. That stuff is foul. Ugh!! Not impressed with her Spirits. I wasted my money on it (it's expensive too). Not a fan.

[erb572]

06:59 PM on 05/02/2012

Still gotta try this stuff! Stop being haters people. Her sense of humor is LOL funny!

[Kelly Oseguera]

08:36 PM on 05/02/2012

You must be drinking MD 20/20 because her drinks are exceptional. You have to know alcohol, you have to be a conisuere (sic) of fine liquor.. Apparently it's vry popular otherwise she wouldn't be on Forbes List. But to each his own. Jealousy doesn't do anyone any good. You arent hurting her by saying you don't like her product. And it's very inexpensive. So like I said give up the Ripple and MD 20/20. Get your taste buds up to par and give it another try.

[cgait60698]

06:19 PM on 05/02/2012

while I'm not into all natural or calorie counter, I did buy a bottle of Skinny Girl Margarita. I'm not a regular drinker but a margarita is my fav. For me it was a little on the strong side BUT I just put a some to a glass and added some extra margarita mix and it was awesome. So it isn't as low calorie as just drinking just the skinny Girl but I liked what I got and will buy more next time I need some.

[kellsimone]

08:50 PM on 05/02/2012

I agree...I thought it was too strong also......but instead of adding margarita mix, I added Vitamin Water Zero Squeezed (lemonade)....saved calories and got some vitamins too!

[Mary Shaver]

06:11 PM on 05/02/2012

BTW I never cared for her on either of the shows her own or the one with the others. But you cannot take away the fact that she is a good busines person.

[Mary Shaver]

06:09 PM on 05/02/2012

Her morals are no looser than the average single man or woman. She is married now, and by all accounts a good mom and a faithful wife. But if that were not true, what does that have to do with the fact that the woman founded a business, runs it, and seems to be successful.

[blindboxer]

06:05 PM on 05/02/2012

My Gawd......................do you people really think their lives are what you see on the show??? I thought the public was smarter than to think what you see is for real. EDITING is what makes all these reality shows................come on people, smart up a little.

[Kelly Oseguera]

08:38 PM on 05/02/2012

I know Bethanny personally, and much to your chagrine, they are exactly how they are on TV and at home. Sorry to burst your bubble sweetheart. And editing is used in ALL TV shows. That way you don't have a 13 hour show. Drrr. Silly silly bird you!

[Kaptain Kool]

11:30 AM on 05/03/2012

As you may know, there are a variety of reasons for editing. The footage chosen and not chosen can make a big difference in perceptions and interpretations.

If you really do know Bethenny Frankel personally, you just committed a major faux pas by disrespecting your association for the sole purpose of self-serving name-dropping.

[Lisica]

03:13 PM on 05/06/2012

I'm surprised that you know Ms. Frankel, given that you misspelled her first name.

[Joseph Leslie]

05:27 PM on 05/02/2012

Bethanny Frankel is a woman with loose morals. She and her sales staff sound like teen age boys in a locker room. I wouldn't touch anything she sells even if I wore protective gear!

[mamala4]

07:02 PM on 05/02/2012

Really? You know this how? And do you only buy things founded or produced by people with moral standard of which you approve? And how do you know their moral standards? Yours is such a stupid comment.

[Joseph Leslie]

09:07 PM on 05/02/2012

I watched her show (really an infomercial) and watched her with her groupies trying on the "NEW, HOT" lipstick color. She was making comments like, "this will get you laid tonight". "I want to get laid tonight", etc. It reminded me of when I was back in 6th Grade Phys Ed class, in the locker room taking showers. Bethanny was passing her little girl around so that she was unhampered by her child and was able to keep up the "locker room banter"! The lipstick was smeared all around the one groupies mouth and made her look like she just finished sucking someone's blood and forgot to use a napkin! Yours is such a stupid reaction!

[niceguy71653]

05:20 PM on 05/02/2012

Honest to God I cannot understand how anyone thinks she is anything special. I watched five minutes of her show and gouged my eyes out.

[Kelly Oseguera]

08:40 PM on 05/02/2012

Well I certainly hope you got your self a cane, or a seeing eye dog.. wouldn't want anything to happen to you.. sounds painful though,

[niceguy71653]

08:03 AM on 05/03/2012

Now Rosie, what are you doing on Huffpost again? More time I guess now that your show got canceled?

[ctheleroys]

05:15 PM on 05/02/2012

Happy to see a woman in her own business able to make it in this recession! After 10 years, my business is suffering with the politicans/bankers ruining everything. Maybe some massive TV coverage would help me...

[cady00]

05:07 PM on 05/02/2012

i have to say i shocked my all the hate, She is a super smart and successful woman. she was a very successful natural chef and her drinks were just part of it. She then turned it into a huge product. what you see is what you get. as a matter of fact she is honest to a fault. i'm not sure why people feel bad for Jason. he knew exactly what she was all about from the beginning anyone who has watched her on TV since the RHW knows this. she is open and vulnerable. his problem is he is not man enough to handle her power and success. Keep being you Bethany and don't worry about the hating trash talking about you. lets face it you will have the last laugh.