How many beverage companies can boast 150 years of history?
Paul Imbesi, vice president of North American Beverage Co., Ocean City, N.J., poses the question regarding Barritt’s Ginger Beer. The ginger beer company got its start in Hamilton, Bermuda, in 1874 when William Barritt created a ginger beer for the beverage-loving Bermudians, Imbesi says.
“What began as his small-batch ginger beer for locals quickly became an iconic drink, woven into the very fabric of Bermudian life,” he explains. “Today, Barritt’s has grown far beyond the island, expanding into the U.S. market and capturing the taste buds of cocktail enthusiasts and ginger beer fans alike. Barritt’s has stood the test of time.”
Barritt’s is enjoyed throughout Bermuda, the United States, the Bahamas and other parts of the Caribbean, Imbesi adds.
North American Beverage Co. imports and manufacturers Barritt’s products under the authority of Barritt’s Beverages International Ltd. in the United States. Like Barritt’s, North American Beverage Co. also is family-owned.
“Promoting Barritt’s as a family-owned brand is about carrying on a legacy that began nearly two centuries ago,” Imbesi says. “Our family-owned business enjoys selling a family-owned product. The Barritt family has poured passion and pride into crafting a product that represents the best of Bermuda. We want to ensure that the heart, tradition and personal touch remain at the core.”
With this year marking Barritt’s 150th anniversary, the company launched a new mixer line. This new line includes five new SKUs in four-packs of 7.5oz cans of the following:
- Original Ginger Beer: The signature brand for over 150 years.
- Sugar-Free Ginger Beer: Zero calories and zero sugar, made with no aspartame.
- Sparkling Grapefruit Soda: A citrusy mixer.
- Tonic Water: A crisp and refreshing base for classic and modern cocktails.
- Club Soda: A highly carbonated, clean mixer for highlighting spirits and liqueurs or enjoying on its own with a slice of citrus.
“The new mixer line is a nod to Barritt’s heritage, with flavors that evoke the vibrant spirit of Bermuda and packages inspired by Bermuda’s iconic pastel homes, bringing a piece of the islands into every drink,” Imbesi says. “Known as ‘The mixer that lifts your spirits,’ Barritt’s provides customers with quality mixers that are great on their own or in a delicious cocktail.”
Other celebrations for the sesquicentennial include the relaunch of the Barritt’s website, which now reflects the new mixer line, includes company history, new visuals and adjusted branding to reflect the brand’s Bermudian heritage.
“This milestone is all about honoring the last 150 years and preparing for the next chapter of the Barritt’s journey,” Imbesi notes.
A fun fact about Barritt’s is that its Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer is the original ginger beer of the Dark N Stormy, “crafted with the same proprietary ginger base for a century and a half,” Imbesi explains.
“It’s perfect for cocktails, mocktails or even as a standalone soft drink,” Imbesi says. “Come for the food and stay for the fun with Barritt’s. This isn’t just another beverage — it’s a story of tradition, resilience and the enduring spirit of family-owned businesses.”
