2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 99
BY SENATOR DUPLESSIS
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate Christa Cotton on the launching of her El Guapo products
inside The Fresh Market stores nationwide.
WHEREAS, Christa Cotton had her first experience in the spirits industry while
helping her father start Thirteenth Colony Distillery, Georgia's first legal craft distillery since
Prohibition; and
WHEREAS, her experience assisting her father in his start-up venture ignited a
passion in her for making things; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, with the opportunity to buy the trademark "El Guapo", she
started the New Orleans Beverage Group, LLC to acquire the trademark and began
production of the El Guapo line of cocktail bitters and syrups; and
WHEREAS, El Guapo is popular with various upscale bars, restaurants, and retail
establishments as well as a loyal online customer base; and
WHEREAS, El Guapo is known for quality ingredient sourcing, sustainable
packaging, and practices exemplary customer service; partnering with regional farmers,
producing products made with Ponchatoula strawberries, satsumas, pecans, chicory, and
more; and
WHEREAS, the bottles used are 100% recyclable, with the labels being made from
recycled craft paper, and each bottle is dipped in wax to avoid sending single-use plastic tear
tape to the landfill; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, after raising $1.1 million to scale production and operations
in Orleans Parish, El Guapo installed its first bottling line and added five additional team
members, effectively quintupling their manufacturing capacity; and
WHEREAS, El Guapo is capitalizing on New Orleans' cocktail culture and remains
committed to providing quality jobs within the city limits; and
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WHEREAS, Ms. Cotton is a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow; James Beard
Foundation Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellow, and 2021 graduate of The Idea
Village's VILLAGEx program.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
is proud to commend and congratulate Christa Cotton on the nationwide launch of her El
Guapo products inside The Fresh Market stores and does hereby wish Christa Cotton and El
Guapo continued growth and success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Christa Cotton.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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