KDHamptons & LUX Lifestyle Magazine recently served the hottest tequila of the summer, 21 SEEDS, at the Books, Bubbly, Blooms party in partnership with Bedside Reading. Party guests LOVED the tequila so much that KDHamptons had to follow up with founder and CEO of 21 Seeds, Kat Hantas, for an interview. Below is an exclusive interview with Kat Hantas and KDHamptons; read closely for Kat’s favorite drink!

Kat Hantas

1. What is a piece of advice you have for future female entrepreneurs?

As a female entrepreneur, my advice would be to believe in yourself and your abilities. Have confidence in your ideas and don’t be afraid to take risks. When my sister Nicole and our girlfriend Sarika and I started 21Seeds we were 3 mom’s who had never done anything before in the Spirits space.  Plenty of folks wanted to tell us how to do it but, even with no prior experience, we trusted our gut and did it our way.  At times it was scary, but we believed in why we were doing it a certain way and followed that instinct which, in the end served us well.

2. What does a typical day look like for you while in The Hamptons?

Don’t be jealous but, a typical day for me in the Hamptons involves spending hours in my kitchen creating mouth watering cocktail recipes using our 3 delicious 21Seeds infused tequilas (Valencia Orange, Grapefruit Hibiscus and Cucumber Jalapeno)

3. Where do you see 21Seeds in 10 years? Are there more flavors to come?

In 10 years, I envision 21Seeds as a prominent player in the spirits industry, known for our innovative and high-quality infused tequila that making easy at home cocktails to be enjoyed by all. We hope to continue to expand our reach nationally and globally, introducing our unique flavors to new markets and growing our “21Seeds family.” Our goal is to continue pushing the boundaries of traditional tequila, especially as female founders in the industry, and providing exceptional experiences for lovers of great tasting cocktails everywhere.

4. What are your favorite Hamptons hot spots for food and drinks?

The Hamptons are my favorite place to spend my summers, so it’s hard to narrow my favorite places down to just a few. Some of my favorite hot spots for food and drinks are:

1. Sag Harbor Kitchen -old dockside spot under new management with a great visiting chef.  Great location great food
2. Tuto Il Giorno in South- consistently great food, great outdoor space and nicest staff
3. Sushi Zuki- in Watermill where I live it’s an institution out east! The best sushi in town period
4. Budda Berry in Sag Harbor- They got me along with everyone else for the best yogurt and toppings selection, plus a fun town to walk around in while you eat your fro yo!
5. Sylvester & Co- in Sag Harbor dreamy blend coffee is the only coffee I drink all summer long
6. Sunset Beach- continues to be a must stop for a reason.  No better spot to watch the sunset or for a gorgeous lunch
7. Duryea’s in Orient or Montauk – both feel like you are on a Greek island perfect lunch spot get the lobster cobb salad plenty for the whole table
8. Babinski’s Farm Stand – best tomatoes for that homemade tomato, mango, burrata, and basil salad
9. North Sea Farms- The original home of Tate’s Cookies before the bakery opened in Southampton also happens to be an incredible farmstand fun to visit with kids
10. Ella Estiatorio- Great Greek place in Bridgehampton, being a Greek Girl it’s my go to out east.

5. Do any of your favorite Hamptons hot spots serve 21Seeds?

Yes, some of my favorite Hamptons hot spots do serve 21Seeds. We have partnered with various restaurants and bars in the area to offer our infused tequila –  Sag Harbor Kitchen, The Triangle Pub, Almond, On The Docks, Phil’s, Elaia Estitatorio, Union Burger Bar, and Streetfood on the Green.

6. Who or what inspires you each day?

My sister Nicole! She is not only my co-founder in 21Seeds but she is the Ying to my Yang.  She is an amazing mom, who has a capacity for work like no one I have ever known.  I could not imagine doing this with anyone else.

7. You mentioned that before 21Seeds was a brand, it was just something you made at home with the ingredients you had. Are the three flavors that exist today, the original ones you made at home?

Cucumber Jalapeño was the original flavor I created at home. When I started experimenting with infusing tequila, there were many flavors that I found intriguing but my go-to cocktail that I was constantly serving to family and friends was a Spicy Margarita made with 2oz Cucumber Jalapeno Infused tequila, 1 Tablespoon of fresh lime juice and 1 Tablespoon of Simply Syrup! Anyone that tried it raved about how delicious, refreshing and light it tasted and most importantly not set your mouth on fire like had been their experience with so many other spicy margaritas!  I had really come up with an easy solution for a very popular cocktail that folks at home were having trouble making – thus, our most popular infusion was born. From the beginning we wanted to make a tequila that was as easy to drink as a glass of wine. Friends also loved swapping out their nightly wine for our Seed and Soda made with 1oz of our Valencia Orange or Grapefruit Hibiscus topped with club soda and a slice of Orange clocking in at only HALF the calories of a typical glass of wine!

8. Which flavor of 21Seeds is your GO-TO? How come?

The type of cocktail I am in the mood for dictates the infusion I grab.  As a replacement for a glass of wine I reach for the Valencia Orange to make a Seed and Soda.  If I am in the mood for a margarita i reach for the Cucumber Jalapeno to make a Spicy Margarita and finally if I am in the mood for a little pink, then the Grapefruit Hibiscus in our easy to make Paloma is my happy place!

9. How has your vision for 21Seeds changed since the creation of the brand?

Since the creation of the brand, my vision for 21Seeds has grown and evolved. Initially, it was about sharing my homemade infused tequila creations with friends and family. As the brand gained recognition and our customer base expanded, I realized the potential to create a unique tequila brand that would challenge the traditional perception of tequila and offer innovative, infused flavors. Today, my vision for 21Seeds is to be a leader in the infused tequila category, known for our exceptional quality, distinct flavors, and easy cocktail solutions, whether in the home or for restaurant and bar owners alike. I also strive to empower other female entrepreneurs to chase and believe in their dreams. We aim to create a brand that not only provides great tasting tequila but also fosters a sense of community and celebrates the joy of sharing experiences with others.

For more information on 21 Seeds, click HERE.

Written by Nicole Vawter

Images: 21 Seeds and KDHamptons