Blog #18: Minus Moonshine and VINADA Wines: Great Minds Drink Alike
How Minus Moonshine and VINADA Wines are Revolutionizing the Alcohol-Free Beverage Scene in New York
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, Minus Moonshine is a beloved alcohol-free beverage shop and one of VINADA Wines’ retailers. We had the pleasure of speaking with Aqxyl Storms, the founder of Minus Moonshine, about their experience opening an alcohol-free store in NYC, where they discovered a growing community with similar interests. Keep reading to learn more.
The Birth of Minus Moonshine
As a former musician constantly surrounded by alcohol, Aqxyl Storms found it challenging to quit drinking. After participating in Dry January during the pandemic, things changed.
This was a turning point that began Aqxyl’s search for alcohol-free beverages. Due to the lack of a one-stop shop for these products in NYC, Aqxyl took a leap and opened their own alcohol-free store.
Enter Minus Moonshine - a unique, locally owned, community-focused store offering a wide range of alcohol-free beers, wines, spirits, cocktails, and more. Aqxyl, a self-proclaimed “health nut,” says, “I really wanted to create a space where everyone felt welcomed and accepted. We’re not fancy and we’re not pretentious but we still have good taste”.
To Aqxyl’s surprise, there were many others looking for the same thing – a way to enjoy drinks that lift you up instead of pulling you down.
VINADA & Minus Moonshine: Partners in Wine
It comes as no surprise that VINADA and Minus Moonshine are “partners in wine”. VINADA was created with a passionate commitment to offering a healthier, low-calorie alternative to alcoholic wine that guarantees flavor, quality and experience, along with being 100% gluten-free and vegan.
“It’s extremely rewarding to know that with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work I’ve been able to create a space in my community that’s helping people make good choices in their lives”
VINADA Wines shines bright at Minus Moonshine, where 3 of our products are currently offered for sale: Tinteling Tempranillo Rosé Mini (0%) 200 ml, Amazing Airén Gold Mini (0%) 200 ml, and Crispy Chardonnay Mini (0%) 200 ml. Aqxl reveals, “I’m quite guilty of drinking Crispy Chardonnay straight from the mini bottles! It’s very rock and roll- it’s my fave!”
The general market for alcohol-free wine is growing in the U.S. Together with retailers like Minus Moonshine, VINADA is challenging outdated social norms about alcohol-free beverages and turning non-alcoholic wine into a cool and conscious experience.
Looking Ahead
There are big plans for the future of Minus Moonshine. Aqxyl hopes to expand their store in different locations, and spark more interest in non-alcoholic beverages like VINADA Wines.
Aqxyl says, “It’s extremely rewarding to know that with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work I’ve been able to create a space in my community that’s helping people make good choices in their lives”.
If you are in Brooklyn, Aqxyl welcomes you to stop by and get a bottle of VINADA or attend one of their in-store events!
Love,
Melanie