Milestone Brands, an Austin, Texas-based spirits company formed in 2016, continues to grow with the acquisition of Naranja. Meaning “orange” in Spanish, Naranja will be produced by La Madrileña, a Mexican corporation and brand owner of Controy, original creators of this Mexican orange liqueur.
Naranja will relaunch in the U.S. in January of 2018.
Maintaining its original recipe, the orange liqueur’s story date back to 1941 in Ensenada, Mexico, the company says, when Don Carlos Orozco used the spirit to make a drink for Margarita Henkel, daughter of a German ambassador. The premium orange liqueur is balanced between bitter and sweet, and complements Mexican cocktails.
“As the tequila category continues to grow, we feel Naranja will play a significant role using a recipe and package that speak to the heritage of Mexico,” says Eric Dopkins, founder and CEO of Milestone Brands.
Milestone Brands signed an exclusive, long-term production agreement with La Madrileña, and acquired brand rights from Stewart Skloss and Pura Vida.
Skloss, Chairman of Pura Vida, will retain a minority position in the Naranja brand. “I’m thrilled about the acquisition for this truly authentic brand and look forward to supporting the Milestone team on Naranja’s projected growth,” he says.
Milestone Brands in 2016 acquired the tequila brand Dulce Vida Spirits, which they say has grown over 500% since, totaling 35,000 nine-liter cases.
