Harvard graduate launches nonalcoholic cocktail business from Santa Barbara to Boston

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Vanessa Royle, a Harvard graduate launched a business selling nonalcoholic drinks in Santa Barbara.

Royle and Mariah Wood are the founders of Tilden, a business that is skyrocketing across the region and throughout the nation in more than half a dozen states.

Royle quit drinking alcohol in 2020, and she was disappointed by the lack of sophisticated non-alcoholic drink options at bars, restaurants, and dinner parties.

The Harvard graduate said she wanted something flavorful, low in sugar, and devoid of mind-altering ingredients, so she voiced her frustrations and pitched her vision to classmates at Harvard Business School.

There, she met Wood, a lifelong teetotaler from Las Vegas.

Wood came to the team with a passion for all things food, beverage, and supply chain, as well as a deep love for hosting.

Together, they created non-alcoholic social beverages that would change the way society thinks about celebrating.

Prototypes, concocted by hand in Wood's kitchen, were refined until the team perfected the elements of a true social beverage. 

With careful attention to aroma, mouthfeel, and flavors, each of Tilden's non-alcoholic cocktails delivers a flavorful experience with a beginning, middle, and finish. 

Royle and Wood are passionate about fostering deeper, more authentic social moments. Cheers to that!