{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fglam-grow-d1fda468.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Foriginal-southside-tgkOXgk9","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"How The Original Southside Is Raising the Bar for Ready-to-Drink Cocktails With Founder Meredith Mills-Merritt","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/4436e770-7f86-4e97-a63d-4f617217e93c/e73f36be-211b-4051-95dd-4fccfe7be263/wavebr-podcast-cover-02-1.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/c7f5c35d-88f9-4960-97a6-9b73d6d4b837\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"How The Original Southside Is Raising the Bar for Ready-to-Drink Cocktails With Founder Meredith Mills-Merritt\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"Founded by entrepreneur Meredith Mills-Merritt, The Original Southside is a premium ready-to-drink cocktail brand bringing a fresh, elevated approach to the rapidly growing RTD category. Inspired by a cherished family recipe created by her mother, Meredith transformed the classic Southside cocktail—a refreshing blend of gin, lemon, and mint—into a bar-quality canned beverage made with organic ingredients and a commitment to transparency. Drawing on her background in prestige beauty and product innovation, she applies a product-first philosophy to every aspect of the brand, from ingredient sourcing and formulation to packaging and design. The result is a cocktail that prioritizes quality, simplicity, and a clean ingredient profile without compromising on taste. Beyond building the brand, Meredith is also a co-founder of the Clean Alcohol Collective, an initiative advocating for greater ingredient transparency across the alcohol industry. Through The Original Southside, she is helping redefine what consumers can expect from ready-to-drink cocktails while challenging industry norms around formulation and disclosure.\nIn this episode, Meredit also discusses:\nHow a family canned cocktail recipe became a viral brand\nWhy alcohol should have ingredient labels so consumers know what they're drinking\nHow the beauty industry's \"clean\" movement influenced beverage innovation\nDitching dull drinks in favor of bold, modern branding\nThe rise of health-conscious consumers and how they're reshaping the alcohol market\nThe challenges of building a small alcohol brand in a distribution-controlled industry\nDebunking common myths about gin, tequila, and vodka being \"healthier\" choices\nWhy indulgence and moderation can coexist in today's wellness culture\nWe hope you enjoy this episode and gain valuable insights into Meredit's journey and the growth of The Original Southside. Don't forget to subscribe to the Glam & Grow podcast for more in-depth conversations with the most incredible brands, founders, and more.\nBe sure to check out The Original Southside at www.drinksouthsides.com and on Instagram at @drinksouthsides \n"}