Snack Bar, Vol. 13: LGBTQ+-Owned Food & Beverage Brands

Former PepsiCo executive Tekla Back created Key, an all-natural, ketone-based energy drink that spares you from the sugar crash of traditional high-caffeine canned drinks. The fruit-flavored beverages contain 79 calories from ketones, green tea-derived caffeine, L-theanine, and stevia for sweetness.

It might sound outdated, but moonshine has a long and proud history in the US, and the team at Saint Luna has brought it back to the mainstream in the best way possible. This clear rye- and molasses-based liquor is smooth enough to sip straight up or mix into a cocktail.

This Brooklyn-based coffee brand makes concentrates for cold brew and chai as well as flavored syrups and functional tinctures for the wellness-minded sippers. With cold brew in four caffeine levels (including a 99.9% caffeine-free option), there’s an Explorer coffee concentrate for every kind of joe drinker. They’re incredibly smooth-tasting and refreshing—perfect for June mornings.

These are not your average salty bar nuts. These artisanal peanuts pair incredibly well with beer, cocktails and wine. Each nut is fully coated in a thick, savory blend of dried herbs and spices. They have all the crunch you’re craving alongside a cold beer or buzzy summertime cocktail. The brand is part of the Brewing the American Dream partnership run by Sam Adams, so you know they’re beer connoisseur-approved.

A high-quality vinegar can transform a dish, whether you’re making a simple vinaigrette salad dressing or finishing a hearty soup. The unique flavors and careful production methods used by craft vinegar company American Vinegar Works make these bottles a shining star in any pantry. From classics like cider vinegar to interesting twists like hibiscus honey vinegar, there’s something for everyone, and they make great gifts for the cooks in your life.

Bokksu connects US-based consumers to the diverse and delicious flavors of Japanese cuisine with monthly boxes of delights, including sweet and savory snacks, candies, and teas. You can browse the Bokksu boutique to sample one-off items or treat yourself or a friend to a fully loaded monthly delivery that will open up a world of flavors.

Known for their adorable miniature popcorn kernels, Pipcorn Heirloom Snacks does more than corn. Their snacking portfolio includes sweet cinnamon sugar twists made from upcycled corn flour, cheddar cheese balls far better than the neon orange bites of childhood, and even raw mini corn kernels that you can pop at home. Each product is made from heirloom grains and without artificial colors or flavorings.

It’s impossible not to fall for Diaspora Co.’s eye-catching spice tins, and once you sprinkle the Steak Masala over a New York strip, infuse a cake with the Kaveri Vanilla, or brew a mug of the brand’s luscious hot cocoa, you won’t go back to your boring supermarket spice blends any time soon. These vibrant, full-flavored spices, mixes, and drink powders sourced from farmers in Sri Lanka and India are guaranteed to wake up your taste buds.

These ethically sourced fair-trade coffee beans from Colombia will seriously upgrade your morning brew. The brand, owned by Javier Amador-Pena, produces a range of beans that offer various flavor experiences, including cold brew, espresso, and fully organic options.

You don’t have to be vegan or dairy-free to love the creamy texture and umami-rich flavor of these nut-based cheeses. From tangy fermented cashew blue to a firm and sliceable smoky gouda, these wedges, butters, and cream cheese spreads are the makings of a high-quality, super satisfying dairy-free appetizer board or brunch spread.

This Queer-owned business is doing you a major favor: taking the stress and guesswork out of preparing a healthy kid-approved dinner. Ipsa ships sophisticated frozen entrees that are worlds away from the TV dinners you might remember from childhood. With menu items like Heirloom Bean Soup, Beef + Kimchi Stew, and Ragu Bolognese, this is a meal solution that kids and adults can get behind.

New York City’s Italian institution Rubirosa has a stand-out selection of pantry items so you can bring the restaurant’s signature flavors home. The vodka sauce is silky smooth and creamy–delicious on pasta or smeared over a pizza, as they do at the restaurant.

To end things on a sweet note, the intensive fudgy brownies from premium bakery Lexington Bakes are not to be missed. These neat squares are fully loaded with Mediterranean hazelnuts and get their intense chocolate flavor from TCHO dark chocolate and Bob’s Red Mill Coconut Flour. Yup - they’re gluten- and grain-free.