What If The Bar Of The Future Isn’t Built Around Alcohol?

After a corporate career rooted in fashion and media, Aplós Co-Founder and CEO David Fudge is now helping to move the non-alcoholic industry beyond simple imitation. In this conversation, we explore how Aplós is creating a sophisticated new flavor language using ingredients like yuzu, basil, and dandelion, designed to act as a lead in premium cocktails rather than a 1:1 alcohol proxy.

We dive into topics like the strategic choice of using THC-free, broad-spectrum hemp in their first offering, to how the brand’s serene, minimalist aesthetic serves as a much-needed antidote to modern, high-stress culture. David also shares a little about the Aplós roadmap for 2026 and his vision for a "bar of the future" that prioritizes intentional rituals over intoxication.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Lead" Spirit: Why Aplós was built to perform like a primary spirit in complex mixology, developed alongside mixology legend Lynnette Marrero.
• Function Without the High: The decision to lean into broad-spectrum hemp (0% THC) for its stress-relieving properties while (thus far) avoiding the psychoactive effects of THC.
• Cracking the Balance: A look at the R&D behind their spirits versus their RTD (ready-to-drink) cans, and which one was harder to break the code on.
• 2026 Growth: Scaling through "long-game" brand building and moving from DTC roots to a broader footprint in retail and Michelin-starred hospitality.

Mentioned in this episode:

Aplós 

We'd like to thank our sponsor, Go Brewing! Use code NATION15 to get 15% off your order on either their delicious N/A beer, or their THC brand, Easy Man. 

 

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