The most popular celebrity alcohol brands revealed

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Celebrity alcohol brands have grown increasingly popular over the past few years, with many famous faces embarking on the venture of creating and selling their own alcoholic beverage.  

In fact, according to SOMM TV, celebrity alcohol brands rose from fewer than 40 in 2018 to 350 in 2022 – an increase of almost 800%. Furthermore, Unite Hospitality revealed that customers pay an average of 73% more for drinks by celebrity brands, proving it to be a lucrative industry. 

With this in mind, business and marketing experts QR Code Generator investigated which alcohol brands are the most popular according to Instagram and Google search data. 

The study looked at the average number of monthly searches for over 150 celebrity alcohol brands. This analysis included data for both the name of the alcohol brand, e.g. ‘Casamigos Tequila’, and the celebrity’s name alongside their alcohol product, e.g. ‘George Clooney tequila’,  

This was combined with the alcohol brand’s number of Instagram followers, and an equal weighting was applied to both criteria to create a total index score out of 100. 

Coming out on top was Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila with an index score of 95.4 out of 100. 818 Tequila has over 1.2 million Instagram followers and generates a monthly average of 76,150 Google searches in the US. 

The model and reality star founded her tequila in 2021 and named it as a nod to her hometown’s area code in Calabasas, California. Despite the brand’s popularity and success, it hasn’t escaped controversy – from cultural appropriation allegations to claims of trademark infringement by rival tequila companies. 

In second place was Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Teremana Tequila, with an index score of 94.8 out of 100. Teremana Tequila has an audience of 780,000 followers on Instagram and produces an average of 107,092 monthly searches worldwide.

The famous wrestler and actor launched his brand in early 2020 to significant success, despite COVID-related challenges. According to Forbes, it is now the fastest growing tequila of all time, selling over one million cases per year.  

Ranking third is Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder’s Brother’s Bond Bourbon, which received an index score of 92.9 out of 100. The brand recorded the highest Instagram popularity with 1.9 million followers and a nationwide average of 25,328 Google searches per month. 

The actors starred as the Salvatore brothers on supernatural teen drama The Vampire Diaries, and in 2021 created the bourbon brand together as an homage to the friendship they’d formed while filming the series. 

George Clooney’s Casamigos Tequila followed in fourth with an index score of 90.5 out of 100. Casamigos Tequila has 272,000 Instagram followers in total, and attracts the most Google searches, with an average of 133,975 per month in the US. 

Often credited with spearheading the celebrity alcohol trend, the A-List actor developed his tequila in 2013 alongside businessmen Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman. The beverage has since produced many variations and, according to The Spirits Business, was the fastest-growing spirits brand in 2022. 

Rounding out the top five was Ryan Reynold’s Aviation Gin, receiving an index score of 84.8 out of 100, with 345,000 Instagram followers and an average monthly search count of 26,808 searches nationwide. 

While the gin was founded in 2006, the Deadpool actor acquired a stake in 2018 and admitted to having both ownership interest and creative control of the brand – adding the spirits industry to his extensive list of entrepreneurial endeavors. 

The top 10 most popular celebrity alcohol brands 

Rank  Celebrity  Alcohol brand name  Average monthly searches  Instagram Followers  Index score /100  
1.  Kendall Jenner  818 Tequila  76,150.00   1,200,000  95.4  
2.  The Rock  Teremana Tequila  107,091.67   798,000   94.8  
3.  Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder  Brother’s Bond Bourbon  25,328.33   1,900,000   92.9  
4.  George Clooney  Casamigos Tequila  133,975.00   272,000   90.5  
5.  Ryan Reynolds  Aviation Gin  26,808.33   345,000   84.8  
6.  Aaron Paul, Bryan Cranson  Dos Hombres Mezcal  8,168.33   598,000   82.5  
7.  Conor McGregor  Proper No. Twelve Whiskey  6,460.00   710,215   82.3  
8.  Kevin Hart  Gran Coramina Cristalino Tequila  32,133.33   128,000   80.7  
9.  Mark Wahlberg  Flecha Azul Tequila  21,783.33   144,000   79.7  
10.  Kenny Chesney  Blue Chair Bay Rum  15,191.67   156,000   78.5 

 

In sixth place was Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston’s Dos Hombres Mezcal, with an index score of 82.5 out of 100. The duo’s beverage boasts 598,000 Instagram followers and produces an average of 8,168 monthly searches throughout the US. 

Co-founded in 2019, the company emerged as a business partnership between the two Breaking Bad stars six years after the critical hit came to an end – and is inspired by the Mexican culture heavily featured in the show.  

Following in seventh was Conor McGregor’s Proper No. Twelve Whiskey, with an index score of 82.3 out of 100. The brand has an Instagram following of 710,215 and generates an average of 6,460 Google searches per month.  

The MMA fighter and boxer named his product as an homage to the neighborhood in Ireland where he grew up – Crumlin, Dublin 12 – and launched the brand in 2018 to significant success. 

Kevin Hart’s Gran Coramino Cristalino Tequila ranked eighth with an index score of 80.7 out of 100. The liquor recorded 128,000 Instagram followers for its account in total, alongside 32,133 Google searches on average per month across the country. 

Introduced by the comedian in 2022, Gran Coramino is described as an ultra-premium tequila with both Reposado Cristalino and Añejo varieties, making it ideal for tequila lovers. 

Following in ninth was Mark Wahlberg’s Flecha Azul Tequila, receiving an index score of 79.7 out of 100, while Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay Rum completed the top ten with a score of 78.5 out of 100. 

Commenting on the findings, Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator said: 

“This new data reveals the widespread popularity of celebrity alcohol brands in America, with several brands attracting over 20,000 monthly Google searches on average, or over 100,000 Instagram followers. 

“Tequila brands in particular are popular, with the drink comprising five of the top 10 spots on the list. Other common choices for celebrity endorsed alcohol brands include spirits such as rum, gin and whiskey.”  

“While a member of the Kardashian family ranking number one is unsurprising due to their huge celebrity status and name recognition, many A-List stars’ brands are further down the list than would possibly be expected due to their huge fame, such as Mariah Carey and Robert De Niro. 

“This just goes to show that there are many variables determining whether a celebrity alcohol brand is successful or popular, and that these companies can rarely rest on the strength of the celebrity’s name alone.  

“Many of the brands in the top spots have expertly promoted and sold a specific, unique product while marketing their brand to a targeted audience. This allows their beverages to flourish and for celebrities to sell as much as possible to create a profit. 

“Despite this, there is no doubt that celebrities have an advantage when it comes to producing a successful alcoholic beverage, and that interest in them will be heightened due to the amount of press and attention that they generate.” 

The most popular celebrity alcohol brands – top 100 

Rank  Celebrity  Alcohol brand name  Average monthly searches  Instagram Followers  Index score /100  
1.  Kendall Jenner  818 Tequila  76,150  1,200,000  95.4  
2.  The Rock  Teremana Tequila  107,092  798,000   94.8  
3.  Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder  Brother’s Bond Bourbon  25,328  1,900,000   92.9  
4.  George Clooney  Casamigos Tequila  133,975  272,000   90.5  
5.  Ryan Reynolds  Aviation Gin  26,808  345,000   84.8  
6.  Aaron Paul, Bryan Cranson  Dos Hombres Mezcal  8,168  598,000   82.5  
7.  Conor McGregor  Proper No. Twelve Whiskey  6,460  710,215   82.3  
8.  Kevin Hart  Gran Coramina Cristalino Tequila  32,133  128,000   80.7  
9.  Mark Wahlberg  Flecha Azul Tequila  21,783  144,000   79.7  
10.  Kenny Chesney  Blue Chair Bay Rum  15,192  156,000   78.5 
11.  Ryan Seacrest  Casa Dragones Tequila  14,087.50  138,000  77.6  
12.  Michael Jordan  Cincoro Tequila  34,450.00  61,800   77.5  
13.  Jay-Z  D’usse Cognac 9,781.67  171,000   77.1  
14.  Blake Lively  Betty Booze  12,037.50  140,000   77.0  
15.  Jason Momoa  Meili Vodka  21,758.33  80,800   76.8  
16.  Conor McGregor  Forged Irish Stout  8,092.00  135,943   75.2  
17.  Dan Aykroyd  Crystal Head Vodka  19,325.00  62,200   75.1  
18.  Metallica  Blackened Whiskey  13,366.67  85,500   75.0  
19.  Eva Longoria  Casa del Sol Tequila  9,533.33  54,300   71.4  
20.  Bruno Mars  SelvaRey Rum  4,070.00  108,000   71.2  
21.  50 Cent  50 Cent Cognac  1,734.17  211,000   70.8  
22.  Dylan Sprouse  All-wise Meadery  2,462.50  135,000   70.1  
23.  Sam Heughan  The Sassenach Whisky  1,046.67  275,000   70.0  
24.  Kylie Jenner  Sprinter Vodka Soda  3,703.33  92,100   70.0  
25.  Matthew McConaughey  Pantalones Organic Tequila  6,872.50  53,200   69.9  
26.  LeBron James   Lobos 1707 Tequila and Mezcal  2,483.33  128,000   69.9  
27.  Emma Watson  Renais Gin  2,978.33  80,100   68.4  
28.  Rob McElhenney  Four Walls Whiskey  7,297.50  28,600   67.1  
29.  Jennifer Lopez   Delola Cocktails  677.50  22,1000   67.1  
30.  Adam Levine  Calirosa Tequila  3,322.50  43,100   65.8  
31.  Slipknot  No. 9 Whiskey  3,206.67  43,600   65.7  
32.  Chris Stapleton  Traveller Whiskey  18,977.50   8,777   65.4  
33.  Drake  Virginia Black American Whiskey  2,418.00  50,800   65.3  
34.  Nick Jonas  Villa One Tequila  2,225.00  40,800   63.8  
35.  Nelly  Moshine Moonshine  3,602.00  26,100   63.7  
36.  Dave Bautitsta  Devils River Whiskey  2,916.67  28,700   63.3  
37.  Charles Woodson  Woodson Bourbon Whiskey  2,763.33  29,800   63.2  
38.  ASAP Rocky  Mercer + Prince Whisky  2,848.33  25,500   62.6  
39.  Florida Georgia Line  Old Camp Whisky Co.  1,859.17  34,400   62.2  
40.  Kate Hudson  King St. Vodka  1,055.00  54,100   62.1  
41.  Bethenny Frankel  Skinnygirl Cocktails  1,819.17  32,200   61.8  
42.  Ryan Whitney  New Amsterdam Pink Whitney Vodka  402.50  105,000   61.2  
43.  Brad Pitt  The Gardener Gin  697.50  64,900   61.2  
44.  Sean Combs  Cîroc Ultra-premium Vodka  161.67  194,000   60.4  
45.  Thomas Rett  Dos Primos Tequila  2,750.00  16,000   60.1  
46.  Steven Soderbergh  Singani 63  3,791.67  11,700   60.0  
47.  Stephen Curry  Gentleman’s Cut Bourbon  3,001.67  14,100   59.9  
48.  Blake Shelton  Smithworks Vodka  1,157.50  30,500   59.6  
49.  Sammy Hagar  Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum  1,133.33  29,800   59.4  
50.  Maluma  Contraluz Mezcal  1,080.00  30,300   59.3  
51.  Rita Ora   Próspero Tequila  1,112.50  23,900   58.3  
52.  Jamie Foxx  BSB Whiskey  399.17  55,700   58.1  
53.  Margot Robbie  Papa Salt Gin  4,179.17  6,415   57.4  
54.  Jeffrey Dean Morgan  MF Libations  327.50  53.700   57.1  
55.  William H. Macy  Woody Creek Distillers  1,133.33  16,600   56.6  
56.  Iron Maiden  Trooper Beer  2,681.67  5,954   55.2  
57.  Terry Bradshaw  Bradshaw Bourbon  2,861.67  5,485   55.1  
58.  Andy Roddick  Sweetens Cove Bourbon  1,828.33  7,454   54.7  
59.  G-Eazy  Stillhouse Spirits  192.50  45,600   54.0  
60.  Alan Jackson  Silverbelly Whiskey  1,511.67  7,556   53.9  
61.  Pitbull, Fergie  Voli Light Vodkas  576.00   16,000   53.5  
62.  Luis Gerardo Méndez  Ojo De Tigre Tequila  101.67  67,000   53.2  
63.  Ricky Gervais  Dutch Barn Vodka  806.67  10,600   52.9  
64.  Jason Derulo  Bedlam Vodka  501.67  14,800   52.6  
65.  Derek Jeter  Bespoken Spirits  869.17  9,141   52.5  
66.  Rod Stewart  Wolfie’s Whisky  765.83  9,896   52.4  
67.  Shay Mitchell  Onda Canned Sparkling Tequila  115.83  50,400   52.4  
68.  Michael Buble  Fraser & Thompson Whiskey  1,894.17  3,744   51.5  
69.  Channing Tatum  Born and Bred Vodka  219.17  20.900   50.7  
70.  Graham McTavish  The Warchief Bottled-in-bond Bourbon  369.00  12,373   50.4  
71.  Lenny Kravitz  Nocheluna Sotol  454.17  10,100   50.3  
72.  Seth MacFarlane  Bear Fight Whiskey  989.17  4,005   49.0  
73.  Hanson Brothers beer  Mmmhops Beer  190.00  16,400   48.9  
74.  Robert de Niro  Vdka 6100  446.67  7,007   48.4  
75.  Bob Dylan  Heaven’s Door Spirits  60.83  34,300   47.7  
76.  Scottie Pippen  DIGITS Bourbon  1,084.17  2,839   47.7  
77. Mariah Carey Black Irish Cream Liqueur 78.33 24,900 47.2
78.  Ellie Goulding  Served Hard Seltzer  25.83  55,500   46.5  
79.  The Rolling Stones  Crossfire Hurricane Rum  926.67  2,313   46.1  
80.  GWAR  Catoctin Creek Ragnarok Rye  103.33  12,000   44.8  
81.  Snoop Dogg  Indoggo Gin  9,066.67  208   43.9  
82.  Giancarlo Esposito  Dirty Devil Vodka  362.50  2,981   43.3  
83.  Motorhead  Motohead Whisky    640.83  1,770   43.2  
84.  Woody Harrelson  Holistic Spirits  92.50  7,775   42.2  
85.  Jenson Button  Coachbuilt Whisky  70.83  9,016   41.8  
86.  Mike Piazza  True Vodka  315.00  2,451   41.8  
87.  Sanjay Dutt  The Glenwalk Scotch Whisky  48.00   10,900   41.1  
88.  Laura Whitmore  The Muff Liquor Company  20.00  23,200   41.1  
89.  Melissa McCarthy  Big Nose Kate Western Whiskey  25.83  11,300   38.7  
90.  Walton Goggins  Mulholland Distilling American Whiskey  17.50  15,500   38.6  
91.  Gene Simmons  Moneybag Vodka  556.67   695   38.0  
92.  Quavo  White X Cognac 101.67   3,016   38.0  
93.  Katherine Jenkins  Cygnet 22 Gin  20.00  9,669   36.8  
94.  Pharrell  Storm Cowboy Sake  33.33  4,244   35.0  
95.  Kiefer Sutherland  Red Bank Whisky  51.67  2,328   33.9  
96.  Jean-Claude Van Damme  Old Oak Irish Whiskey  108.33   1,191   33.7  
97.  Brett Ratner  The Hillhaven Lodge Whiskey  10.00  6,782   32.2  
98.  Bill Murray  Slovenia Vodka  167.50  546   31.7  
99.  Ludacris  Conjure Cognac 1,020.00  70   29.3  
100.  James Cosmo  Storyman Scotch Whiskey  5.00  4,310   27.0 

 

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