Mis Amigos plans US expansion

Tequila-based liqueur brand Mis Amigos has partnered with Italian chef Aldo Zilli as it expands its presence in the US this year.

The UK-based brand reported annual sales of £500,000 (US$633,800) in its home market and has registered a division in the EU to enable it to sell more easily in 27 states.

The company will begin trading in 20 US states by the end of 2024, where it currently has orders to ship 140,000 litres this year.

Mis Amigos has shipped 120,000 litres of its product to Mexico and Miami, most of which was loaded aboard cruise liners bound for the Caribbean.

The company is focusing on the Asia market and has been present at trade shows in Mumbai and Shanghai.

The brand is in discussions with distributors in Peru, Chile, Japan, and China, which it hopes to enter this year.

To help it reach bartenders internationally, Mis Amigos has named Zilli as its brand ambassador. Zilli specialises in Italian cuisine and operates restaurants across England.

Mis Amigos was founded by brothers Simon and Rupert Duke in their family’s restaurant in Essex. Together, they have 80 years of experience making cocktails.

The company is currently run by Simon’s daughter, Gina Duke.

The Tequila liqueur range offers flavoured expressions such as chocolate, strawberry, coffee, and chocolate and lime.

Zilli said: “When I met the Mis Amigos guys and they showed me what they had created, I could immediately see lots of different ways to use it in my cooking, and that it would be a great addition to Casa Zilli.

“Tequila is such a unique and subtle spirit that combines beautifully with chocolate, and the coffee flavour makes the best tiramisu and Espresso Martinis, and I can’t wait to make summer desserts with the strawberry flavour.”

The family-owned company behind Mis Amigos, G&I Spirit Group, also produces the 88 vodka and gin brand, and Jillion’s gin.

Last year, G&I Spirit Group partnered with mixologist Rob Floyd to create cocktail events.