Mark's Mocktails Wins Prestigious Beverage Incubator Competition at National BARC Conference

Award Recognizes One of the Beverage Industry's Most Promising Emerging Brands

Mark's Mocktails, the award-winning alcohol-free ready-to-drink cocktail brand, is proud to announce it has been named the winner of the 2026 Beverage Incubator Competition at the Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference (BARC), one of the nation's premier educational events for beverage alcohol retailers.

Hosted by EPG Brand Acceleration, the annual Beverage Incubator Competition showcases innovative emerging beverage brands from across the country. Finalists pitch their brands live before a panel of industry experts and an audience of independent off-premise retailers, sharing their story, product vision, and answering questions about their business.

The winning brand is selected through a combination of judges' scores and audience votes, making the award a true reflection of both industry expertise and retailer enthusiasm.

"This award is incredibly meaningful because it comes directly from the people shaping the future of beverage retail," said Mark Mozier, founder of Mark's Mocktails. "Our mission has always been to create premium alcohol-free cocktails that everyone can enjoy without sacrificing flavor or experience. We're honored that retailers and industry leaders recognize the opportunity in the growing non-alcoholic beverage category."

As the competition winner, Mark's Mocktails earns a coveted place in the EPG Beverage Incubator, providing valuable industry exposure, retail insights, and continued opportunities for national growth.

The BARC Beverage Incubator victory adds to an extraordinary year of national recognition for Mark's Mocktails, further establishing the brand as one of the fastest-rising names in the alcohol-free beverage category.

Earlier this year, Mark's Mocktails earned top honors at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Access LIVE Tasting Competition. The brand's Mojito was named Best in Show in the Non-Alcoholic Ready-to-Drink category while also earning a Double Gold Medal and an outstanding 98-point score. The accolades continued across the portfolio, with Spicy Pineapple Margarita, Paloma, and Cranberry Mule taking home Silver Medals.

The momentum continued at the prestigious Tasting Alliance San Francisco Ready-to-Drink Competition—the world's largest and most influential blind spirits competition—where every Mark's Mocktails flavor was recognized. Cranberry Mule earned a Double Gold Medal, Mojito received a Gold Medal, Spicy Pineapple Margarita also captured a Gold Medal, and Paloma was awarded a Silver Medal.

Now, with its victory at the Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference (BARC) Beverage Incubator Competition—an award determined by both industry judges and independent beverage retailers—Mark's Mocktails has demonstrated excellence in both product quality and marketplace appeal. Together, these honors reflect the brand's unwavering commitment to crafting premium alcohol-free cocktails that deliver exceptional flavor, innovation, and a true cocktail experience without the alcohol.

Mark's Mocktails currently offers four refreshing flavors:

• Cranberry Mule

• Mojito

• Paloma

• Spicy Pineapple Margarita

Each beverage delivers a handcrafted cocktail experience with zero alcohol, making them perfect for any occasion.

The 10th Annual Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, bringing together retailers, suppliers, distributors, and industry professionals from across the United States to discuss best practices, emerging trends, and the future of beverage retail.

About Mark's Mocktails

Founded by beverage industry veteran Mark Mozier, Mark's Mocktails was created to provide consumers with premium, alcohol-free ready-to-drink cocktails that never compromise on taste. Proudly crafted in Maryland, the brand has quickly gained national recognition through multiple prestigious industry awards while expanding distribution across retail and hospitality channels. The Frederick, Maryland-based company continues to redefine what consumers expect from alcohol-free beverages. Mark's Mocktails believes everyone deserves a reMARKable drink—whether they're choosing alcohol or not.