Gratefulist Vodka began, as many good things do, with a question asked over cocktails: “Can the experience of sharing a drink be a catalyst for celebrating the good in our lives regardless of current circumstances?” For three women, the answer was an emphatic yes. From that moment, a vision was born, one rooted in gratitude, community, and the shared joy of raising a glass together.
The founders worked alongside a master distiller to carefully craft a spirit that reflects their mission. Using 100% American corn, pure mountain spring water, and grateful hearts, they developed a vodka distilled six times in small batches for a clean, elevated taste. But Gratefulist Vodka is not simply about what’s in the bottle, it’s about what happens when the bottle is opened. “Gratefulist Vodka is more than just vodka. It’s a community around people coming together to spread gratitude.”
For founder and chairwoman Dani Engelking, the journey toward Gratefulist was as personal as it was purposeful. “Growing up in my big, lively Irish-Italian family, I found a love for spirits during our gatherings filled with laughter and shared moments,” she recalls. Though her professional path initially led her elsewhere, a chance meeting reignited her passion and ultimately guided her to create Gratefulist. Inspired by the joy and connection of those early family gatherings, Engelking wanted to build something that could replicate that same sense of warmth and togetherness for others. “It’s more than just a brand, it’s a celebration of life’s connections and the beauty of shared experiences.”
For President Christy Bower, the motivation came from a similar place of appreciation for the people who shaped her career. “Throughout my career, I’ve valued those who’ve helped me succeed, whether they were colleagues, mentors, or teammates; they’re like family to me,” she says. Bower was drawn to Gratefulist by the co-founders’ vision of gratitude and empowerment. Her leadership is deeply tied to fostering a brand that encourages people to lift one another up. “I’m especially passionate about empowering women through our brand, encouraging them to support one another,” she explains.
Together, the team behind Gratefulist aims to redefine what it means to enjoy a drink. They believe that vodka can be more than a spirit; it can be a catalyst for connection, a reminder to pause, and a symbol of the good that exists even in challenging times. “Individually and together: our differences and our shared values are our strength.”
Central to the brand is the idea of becoming a “Gratefulist”, someone who embodies gratitude in both big and small ways. A Gratefulist is someone committed to lifting others up, sharing positivity, and making acts of kindness part of daily life. As the founders describe it, “A Gratefulist looks at life not as a glass full, but as a glass overflowing.” Whether through grand gestures or small, simple acts, Gratefulists believe that gratitude shared multiplies, rippling outward to create abundance.
The brand’s guiding principles read like a manifesto for modern living: “Attitude of gratitude: a mindset of gratitude will bring abundance.” And perhaps most charmingly, “Never pour your own drink: a few caring people coming together can change the world.”
For Gratefulist Vodka, every sip is an invitation. It’s a chance to pause, to notice what’s good, and to share that gratitude with the people around you. With every bottle, the brand hopes to create more than a moment; it aims to build a movement.
So whether it’s a toast at a wedding, a cocktail shared among friends, or a quiet evening of reflection, Gratefulist Vodka reminds us that life is richer when gratitude leads the way. The women behind the brand invite you to pull up a chair at their table, where stories are shared, glasses are raised, and gratitude is always on the menu.
Gratefulist Vodka is more than just vodka. It’s a community around people coming together to spread gratitude.