Northern beaches: Low calorie alcohol brand Lust Liquor aimed at men and women takes off
These uni dropouts have filled a gap in the alcohol market for healthy, young guys who want a drink that is “better for you” than a schooner.
Manly
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Two best mates from the northern beaches who were looking for healthy alcoholic drinks to fit in with their sporty lifestyle, decided to drop out of university and make their own when they couldn’t find anything they liked.
With two low calorie, low sugar products already selling well, they have just launched a new product which contains only 88 calories.
Nick Rowell, 23, of Collaroy, and Marc Lindberg, 22, of St Ives, now have a 280 sqm warehouse in Belrose packed with their brand Lust Liquor.
Their first product was a mix of vodka with lemon, lime and bitters.
They then launched a vodka and raspberry product and now less than two years on from dropping out of uni, the pair are launching their third product, a seltzer and lime and soda drink in a can, which has just 88 calories.
“The idea came to us when we were at university and I was playing rugby,” Mr Rowell said.
“I wanted a healthy option when I wanted a drink, but I couldn’t find anything.
“Marc was the same.”
He said while traditional ready to drink products are more popular with females, their drinks are gender neutral because they want something that appeals to guys like them.
He said they brought in food technicians to help create the products and spent months taste testing with mates and their mum’s friends.
“It was tested and developed by people on the northern beaches,” Mr Rowell said.
The business is now making a profit and they are in talks with an investor.
Further down the track they are looking to join other craft brewers in Brookvale where they hope to open up a bar.
Mr Rowell said his parents were surprisingly supportive when he told them he was dropping out of his commerce degree and he doesn’t regret it.
“A lot of our mates thought we were crazy and looking back now it was a bit of a risk, but I’ve learnt a lot more than I would have at university.”
All products are available at independent bottle shop sand big chains such as Dan Murphy and BWS.