With its red, white and blue packaging and USA-CERTIFIED label from Made in USA Industries, a third-party verification company, Salute American Vodka’s patriotic perspective runs deeper than a business mantra. Founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Pete Kelly as a means of “paying it forward” to U.S. veterans struggling with unemployment, homelessness and post-traumatic stress, the self-titled brand and company donates the first dollar of every bottle sold to nonprofit organizations that provide programs and services for veterans and other American heroes.
Bottled and distilled by Rochester, N.Y.-based Better Brands Beverage Co., Salute American Vodka officially launched in 2013 in Missouri and Florida. After just one month, the premium spirit was able to donate $25,000 to Work Vessels for Veterans, a national nonprofit based in Connecticut, to support a veteran who was starting a blueberry farm in Florida, Salute American Vodka President John Niekrash says.