In the Spirit: UNA Vodka | Listen

Scanning the vodka aisle at your local liquor store, your eye quickly catches on a slim, elegant bottle garnished with color and topped with a floral stopper. UNA Vodka not only attracts the eye, but invites curious imbibers into a new idea of what vodka can be. 

Inspired by the natural landscape of Latin America, distilled in Florida, and spreading across the States, UNA vodka’s unique design, flavors, low ABV, and commitment to botanical ingredients set their bottles apart. We sat down with founder Leticia Fernández de Mesa to hear about her intention to stop and smell the flowers, and how that spurred her journey into the spirits industry.

The Local Palate: Tell me about your interest in vodka. Is this a career path you always envisioned for yourself?

Leticia Fernández de Mesa: Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure this dream is a reality! I have such profound gratitude for the journey that brought me to the spirits industry, though I never imagined myself here. My life has always gravitated towards beauty, seeking small pieces of majesty in the midst of a chaotic world and finding ways to share those with others. 

My career began in the art world, always surrounded by beauty and the eyes that seek it out. To me, both the art and spirits worlds are limitless. My husband and I are originally from Spain and found ourselves in Colombia where I worked in an auction house. My time there allowed me to experience the determination it takes to build something from the ground up and fall into a deep love with the Colombian countryside. UNA itself was inspired by the rich flora and fauna of Colombia and the artists who inspired me there.

TLP: Why florals? What do these symbolize for you?

Leticia Fernández de Mesa: Flowers are an element that express many of the values I hope shine through UNA: wonder, persistence, delicateness, and power. When someone slows down to appreciate a flower, they can be whisked away by its whimsy and beauty; we want the same thing when someone tastes our vodka. 

Discovering begonias changed everything for us. Begonias are the central floral note in our bottles, and our bottles are the first time begonias have been used in spirits. There are over 1,000 species of begonia, mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions, but these flowers can really be found all over the world. Often glossed over for this commonality, these flowers boast powerful, unexpected flavor that adds a uniqueness to our vodka. 

TLP: How do you infuse and balance each bottle of UNA vodka?

Leticia Fernández de Mesa: Many people would expect floral undertones from other spirits like gin, but vodka proved to be the best vehicle to allow the begonia to come through. When testing, we focused on maintaining purity, and vodka was the only spirit that fully respected the flowers and allowed their flavors. We use a corn-based vodka distilled eight times with essences of begonia, orange blossom, and other floral notes. It took us nearly four years to get the formula right, but once we had it, it felt like a true revolution.

TLP: What inspired the bottle design for UNA?

Leticia Fernández de Mesa: One of our core phrases to describe UNA is “the liquid shape of beauty.” This is something we wanted on full display with our bottles, something that not only entices the eye but sets an ambience. Our vodka doesn’t simply infuse florals, it embraces them, and we wanted flowers to be front and center in the design. We collaborate with artists to feature works that embrace UNA’s mentality of an unexplored universe, with the current piece on display called “Magic Landscape.”

When someone holds or pours a bottle of UNA, we hope they take a moment to appreciate and embrace its beauty. I once had a customer approach me and explain that she found our bottles by happenstance, loved the flavor, and became inspired by their design. She now enjoys a cocktail with UNA while she collages. 

TLP: Where did the name UNA come from?

Leticia Fernández de Mesa: UNA means “unique and singular” in Spanish, and this aligns with flowers and how they are atmospheric, strong, and distinct. We use the feminine version of the word “uno” to highlight that we are woman-owned and the inherent femininity of the bottle. This said, we also call UNA “the unexpected flower power for men.” We’ve prioritized keeping the price point low for these bottles so that the quality and allure of UNA can truly be for everyone. 

TLP: Tell me about your experience as a female distiller.

Leticia Fernández de Mesa: We have a mostly female team, and it’s remarkable to see all of these women constantly believing, pressing, and pursuing all that UNA can be. When you have a product that is quickly associated with femininity in a masculine-dominated industry, we’ve really had to prove ourselves. Yet, two years in, our hard work speaks for itself. 

These bottles tell my story, but also the stories of those who come alongside me. As a working mother with daughters, I always have that tension of wanting to do more, but I’m creating a legacy for my girls to know they, too, can follow their dreams and leave the world a more beautiful place. My dream brought me here, against all barriers, one sip at a time. 

TLP: What’s your favorite way to enjoy UNA?

Leticia Fernández de Mesa: UNA stands so well on its own that I always opt for an UNA martini. 
We are also currently running a campaign in October partnering with F*ck Cancer where our partners serve the “Velvet Fizz” cocktail to raise awareness and $2 from every bottle of UNA sold aids breast cancer patients and survivors.

UNA Vodka Cocktails To Make At Home

Orange Blossom Espresso Martini

Strawberry Frida

Velvet Fizz

Keep Reading

In the Spirit

In the Spirit: Cotton & Reed | Listen

TLP sat down withJohn Hayes and Britt Fox to hear about their process, inspiration, and how Cotton & Reed gained notoriety in Washington, DC.

In the Spirit

In the Spirit: Distillery of Modern Art (DoMA) | Listen

The Local Palate sat down with Watson to hear about the evolution of DoMA and the stories behind their artistic spirits and community vision.

In the Spirit

In the Spirit: Durham Distillery + Conniption Gin

TLP toured Durham Distillery with Melissa and Lee Katrincic to observe their methods and hear the story behind their iconic Conniption Gins.