Thirsty Thursday at 3PM EST

07/17/2025

In this episode of the Thirsty Thursdays podcast, host Jessie Ott sits down with Bourcard Nesin, VP of Beverages Research at Rabobank, for a candid, high-energy conversation about the shifting dynamics of alcohol consumption. From Gen Z’s declining drinking habits to the industry’s marketing blind spots, Bourcard brings academic rigor, behavioral insights, and sharp humor to the discussion.

💡 Topics include:
Gen Z, social isolation, and alcohol
Misconceptions about health, vanity, and cannabis
Wine industry’s disconnect with modern consumers
What brands can learn from Bad Bunny and hard seltzer
Why curiosity is greater than Kool-Aid in beverage strategy

If you're in the wine, spirits, or RTD world—or just curious about what’s happening to alcohol consumption in America—this is the deep dive you didn’t know you needed.

🎙 Listen, learn, and challenge your assumptions.

🔗 Connect with Bourcard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bourcard/
🎧 Listen to Rabobank’s podcast, Liquid Assets:

Apple IOS
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liquid-assets-a-beverage-industry-podcast/id1368594226

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/02q5MHdDx2oRWTWIJQEH3Y?si=TRY557SdS1yrWuwP2mMuJA&nd=1&dlsi=bc65ee46afdb42ea

Link to research report: The real reasons Generation Z is drinking less alcohol - Rabobank
https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/q011475715-the-real-reasons-generation-z-is-drinking-less-alcohol



Key Takeaways:

🧠 Gen Z drinks less not just due to health or image concerns—but because of social isolation and cultural shifts.
📉 Underage drinking is way down, but that doesn’t mean the industry will recover volumes later.
👩‍🎓 Women and people of color are increasingly driving alcohol trends—yet still underrepresented in marketing.
📢 Storytelling, inclusion, and humility—not terroir—will shape the next chapter for wine and spirits.
📉 Forget 10% growth plans. Bourcard advises: “Plan for survival, not growth.”

✅ Like this episode? Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations with industry insiders.
💬 Drop a comment: Are we misunderstanding Gen Z?
📩 Want to be a guest? Reach out via our website.

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07/03/2025

💥 Award-winning mixologist Charles Joly shares the Crafthouse Cocktails origin story, cocktail tips, & why real bartenders are changing the RTD game! 🍸🔥

In this unforgettable episode, Charles Joly—James Beard Award winner, Emmy/Oscar mixologist, and co-founder of Crafthouse Cocktails—pulls back the curtain on the world of premium RTDs and how his bartender-first approach helped shape the category.

📍 Recorded from his home bar in Chicago, Charles shares:
🍹 How he went from barback to building 7 cocktail bars across the U.S.
🎬 Crafting cocktails for the Emmys & Oscars
🧪 Why real juice + real spirits + NO preservatives is the only way
✈️ How Crafthouse Cocktails landed on United Airlines
♻️ Why they transitioned from bottles to cans (and what it means for quality)

💡 Takeaways:
“If you can't back it up with real craft, don’t bother.”
“Don’t scale too fast—own your local market first.”
“The best bartenders care more about people than pouring.”

🔥 If you believe cocktails should taste like they came from the bar—not a lab—smash that like button and subscribe!

👇 Drop a comment: What’s your favorite RTD brand right now?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Charles Jolly and Craft House Cocktails
06:01 The Evolution of Bartending and Hospitality
11:40 Collaboration Between Chefs and Bartenders
17:00 Challenges in the Ready-to-Drink Market
31:03 The Rise of Ready-to-Drink Cocktails
37:34 Crafting Authentic Cocktails
47:19 Transparency in Ingredients
58:59 Crafting Exceptional Cocktails
01:05:03 The Journey of a Bartender
01:12:07 Overcoming Challenges in the Industry
01:18:25 The Art of Cocktail Creation
01:29:10 Produced by Fedora J Productions
01:29:32 Tune in Next Thursday & Have a Great Week!

🎇 Follow us!👏😋🥂🍾☕ 🍵 🍶🍸 🍻 🍷 🍺🍽 🍸 🍹 🥃 🍺 🍔
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirstyThurs3PM
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessieott/
Website (Podcast): https://thirstythursdaysat3pmest.buzzsprout.com/
***********************************************************************
C-Suite 2024 Review Part 1: https://youtu.be/b3Oy_RhqXmE
Athletic Brewing How they Started: https://youtu.be/SeNY5qttuvI
Women of the Vine How it All Began: https://youtu.be/sBCGoCuRL1o
Taylor's Daily Advice to Get What You Want: https://youtu.be/ohF_Q1d6Ddk
Insights into Starting a Beverage Brand https://youtu.be/DT81i4bfYek
2X Sales? Focus on these 5 Things https://youtu.be/3Mk_mepe4YQ



https://youtu.be/fM3ODplVDOw

💥 Award-winning mixologist Charles Joly shares the Crafthouse Cocktails origin story, cocktail tips, & why real bartenders are changing the RTD game! 🍸🔥 @...

06/26/2025

Legendary CPG leader Debbie Wildrick shares startup tips, brand scaling, retail secrets (Fiji, Vitamin Water), mentoring, and the “10 Pillars” program. Tune in! 🎙️ ⁨⁩

In this lively chat, Debbie Wildrick—nicknamed the “Queen of Beverages”—reveals how she:

🚶‍♀️ Started on the aisles & built street-level experience
📈 Helped launch giants like Fiji, Honest Tea, Vitamin Water
🚀 Took bold risks: joined startup FRS backed by Lance Armstrong
🧩 Created a coaching framework: The 10 Pillars of a Successful Company
🤝 Emphasized mentorship vs sponsorship—how it transformed her career
💡 Warned on over‑reliance on social media & unsustainable BOGO promos
🔍 Advocated for strong market opportunity + true product differentiation

👉 Key Takeaways:
• Know your category inside-out—from shelves to shoppers
• Mentors teach; sponsors champion you—both are essential
• Differentiation + distribution = winning formula
• Most brands fail due to poor financing or lack of market-product fit
• Innovate packaging & storytelling to stand out in crowded markets

✅ Call-to-Action (CTA):
✅ Like & subscribe if you’re building your CPG or beverage brand
💬 Comment your #1 takeaway or your own mentor story
🔗 Connect with Debbie at debbiewildrick.com or download her free guide
🔔 Watch next to learn how to avoid BOGO pitfalls & scale smarter

🎇 Follow us!👏😋🥂🍾☕ 🍵 🍶🍸 🍻 🍷 🍺🍽 🍸 🍹 🥃 🍺 🍔
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThirstyThurs3PM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thirstythursdaysat3pmest/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThirstyThursdaysat3PMEST/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessieott/
Website (Podcast): https://thirstythursdaysat3pmest.buzzsprout.com/
***********************************************************************
C-Suite 2024 Review Part 1: https://youtu.be/b3Oy_RhqXmE
Athletic Brewing How they Started: https://youtu.be/SeNY5qttuvI
Women of the Vine How it All Began: https://youtu.be/sBCGoCuRL1o
Taylor's Daily Advice to Get What You Want: https://youtu.be/ohF_Q1d6Ddk
Insights into Starting a Beverage Brand https://youtu.be/DT81i4bfYek
2X Sales? Focus on these 5 Things https://youtu.be/3Mk_mepe4YQ

05/31/2025

Discover Trendsetters Spirits with Dr. Ken Thompson 🍯🥃—a 70 proof, all-natural, ultra-smooth innovation with honey, nutmeg & vanilla. 🚀

This episode dives into a standout tasting moment with Dr. Ken Thompson of Trendsetters Spirits 🍸— “Wow, that’s really smooth.” 🗣️

05/27/2025

“Everyone remembers their first dream team 💡”

Patricia Vasconcelos reflects on her first dream team 🙌 and the mentor who taught her sales strategy 💼📊 Real talk from romance to ROI 💥

👥 Patricia had three dream teams (rare!)

05/26/2025

“Agave takes 6 years to grow… sugarcane takes 6 months 💸”

Jeff Foss shares a hard truth 🌵 Tequila’s agave supply is shrinking fast — sugarcane is winning because it pays faster 💸

Tequila faces a farming crisis 🌵 Jeff Foss explains why!

05/26/2025

“Philly’s been slept on for TOO long 👀🍽️”

Patricia Vasconcelos says Philly is an underrated gem 🍸🥩💥 From authentic foodies to cocktail creativity, it's time this city gets its shine!

📍 Patricia Vasconcelos is giving Philly its flowers 🌸 — and it’s long overdue.

05/26/2025

“$200 to $170K per bottle. Welcome to luxury spirits sales 💼🍷”

Patricia Vasconcelos ran luxury sales at William Grant 🥃💼 Bottles from $200 to $170K, private clients, and world-class hospitality 🍾

What it’s really like leading luxury spirits sales in North America🌎🙌

05/25/2025

Jessie Ott & Patricia Vasconcelos spill truth on tequila's rise 🥃💬 From vodka takeovers to premium pours, we’re not drinking bad tequila ever again 💀 ⁨ ⁨⁩

🔥 Remember when vodka ruled and tequila was questionable at best?

05/25/2025

“Our Añejo wins Old Fashioned contests. 🥇 Want to know why?”

Suavecito’s Añejo 🥃 is smooth, aged 2 years, and winning cocktail competitions 🏆 Hear why it’s a bartender favorite and the top seller at Total Wine!

05/25/2025

“To win big, you gotta move bold 💥”

Patricia Vasconcelos talks big career moves 💼✨ Moving to Reyes? Bold. Strategic. Sometimes risky — always a shot worth taking.

Patricia Vasconcelos doesn’t sugarcoat it: sometimes you’ve gotta make the move. 💼⚡

05/25/2025

“My kids won’t clean at home. But at Grandma’s? Toilets. Scrubbed. 🧽🚽”

Jeff Foss shares a parenting classic 😂 His kids won't lift a finger at home—but deep-clean for Grandma 🧼🚽

At Grandma's? They're scrubbing toilets like pros 🧽😂