Writer / Kara Kavensky Reibel}
Photography provided
Garden Party Botanical Hard Soda is the latest beverage venture by Indianapolis entrepreneur Erin Edds. A native of Zionsville, Erin grew up around the restaurant and catering business, first helping her mom’s catering business, and later as Erin worked in various roles throughout the restaurant industry.
Erin’s first venture was Country Mouse, City Mouse which she started with her sister, Katy Williams in 2008. They sold artisan dips and spreads at local farmers markets, and select local retailers including Whole Foods. In 2010, after receiving a call from an event planner in New York City who was looking for Indy-specific items to feature in gift baskets for their clients suites at the Super Bowl, Erin met the challenge and decided to create a new product. As a result, Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Maker was born. 
After selling out their first production run in just two weeks, instead of the three months she anticipated, Erin knew Hoosier Momma Bloody Mary Maker was a hit. After securing investors and forming Hoosier Momma LLC, the company grew from local farmers markets to distribution in 19-states in four years. The brand received national exposure, including in the LA Times calling it the best Bloody Mary mix in their 40 years of research. Hoosier Momma was also featured in TIME, Chicago Tribune, Midwest Living, and won multiple awards.
Erin sold her interest in the company to her investment partners in 2015 and is now applying her experience and market knowledge towards a new product, Garden Party Botanical Hard Soda. This time, she is partnering with her husband, Stephen, who as National Sales Manager for Hoosier Momma, secured distribution deals and chain placements for the brand.
The genesis for Garden Party came as Erin was doing some consulting work for restaurants. As the couple would toss around ideas for their next venture, in September of 2015, Erin sent Stephen a prophetic text that simply read, “the wine cooler grows up”. Stephen got chills, intuitively knowing that lightning had struck for the second time.
The hard soda market is the fastest growing segment of the alcohol industry, and Garden Party is introducing a premium element to this increasingly popular category. Bridging the gap between craft beer and wine, Garden Party Hard Soda plays a pivotal role is that their drinks are all natural, and have a low sugar content compared to what is currently being consumed.
“With Hoosier Momma, one of the biggest differentiation points that we found was that we had the lowest sodium content in the market and consumers were desperately seeking that out,” shares Erin. “We are finding the same problem in the hard soda market with excess sugar, artificial sweeteners, and artificial flavors.”
Initially, Garden Party Botanical Hard Soda is releasing two flavors, Ruby and Violet. Ruby is a powerful ginger soda infused with hibiscus and pomegranate. “Ruby makes a killer shandy with a wheat beer or pale ale, or an incredible twist on a Moscow Mule with either vodka or bourbon,” says Erin. “With its strong flavor, we see Ruby having huge success with Millennials who have single handedly been responsible for the recent success of brands like Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.”
Violet is a crisp, light and refreshing lemon soda infused with lavender and blackberries. “Drink it on it’s own, mix it with sparkling wine, or mix with Deep Eddy Lemon to create a fresh and festive cocktail,” says Erin of her Violet hard soda.
“In the hard soda market space, none of the other offerings have as much versatility as ours,” states Stephen. Their company is off to an incredible start, with an unprecedented distribution contract with Monarch Beverage prior to launch.
“I’ve been a very proud Indiana entrepreneur for almost a decade,” says Erin. “And I can’t wait to show my fellow Hoosiers and beverage connoisseurs nationwide that the best hard soda brand in the country was created in Indiana.”
For additional proof, please visit: drinkgp.com
