No Liquor License? No Problem. Premium Blend Cocktails Is Disrupting the Industry Pt. 1

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Tonight's Episode

Ever wonder why your favorite neighborhood restaurant doesn't serve cocktails? Chances are it comes down to one thing: the liquor license. In many states, a full liquor license can run well into six or seven figures on the open market — making it virtually impossible for small and mid-sized venues to offer a full bar program.

That's exactly the problem Gino Santos and his brother Henry set out to solve with Premium Blend Cocktails. Their wine-based spirits are legally classified as wine — meaning any venue with a basic beer and wine license (which in Florida costs around $400) can serve them. The result? Cocktail-style drinks, no liquor license required.

In this episode, Gino explains:

Why liquor licenses are so expensive and hard to obtain
How Premium Blend products are formulated to qualify legally as wine
The difference between a liquor license and a beer-and-wine license — and why it matters for thousands of venues
How his family escaped Cuba thanks to an uncle who literally stole a boat
Growing up bilingual in Newark and Miami with a famous Cuban singer-songwriter father

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Key Takeaways

Full liquor licenses in many states cost six or seven figures, making it difficult for small and mid-sized venues to offer cocktails.
Premium Blend Cocktails formulates wine-based spirits that are legally classified as wine, allowing venues with basic beer and wine licenses to serve cocktail-style drinks.
A beer and wine license in Florida costs around $400, compared to the significantly higher cost of a full liquor license.
Premium Blend was founded by Gino Santos and his brother Henry to solve the liquor license accessibility problem for restaurants and venues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't many restaurants serve cocktails?

Full liquor licenses are extremely expensive and difficult to obtain in many states, often costing six or seven figures, making them unaffordable for small and mid-sized venues.

How does Premium Blend Cocktails work around liquor license requirements?

Their products are wine-based spirits that are legally classified as wine, so venues only need a basic beer and wine license to serve them.

How much does a beer and wine license cost in Florida?

A beer and wine license in Florida costs around $400.

Who founded Premium Blend Cocktails?

Gino Santos and his brother Henry founded Premium Blend Cocktails.