Six Nineteen of 1865 launches e-commerce nationwide

A history-inspired spirits brand with deep local roots is expanding its reach nationwide: Six Nineteen of 1865 has launched an e-commerce platform that allows customers in 43 states and the District of Columbia to purchase its ready-to-drink cocktails, extending the footprint of the Upstate’s first minority-owned liquor brand.

“This new online shopping option marks a significant growth step for our brand and allows more people to experience our cocktails wherever delivery is available,” said Babette B. Jones, founder and CEO.

A gathering of friends

The idea for Six Nineteen of 1865 was not born of a boardroom, but of a gathering of longtime friends.

“A group of friends I’ve known for 25 years traveled the world together, had babies together and more recently gathered at Hilton Head, at the suggestion of my sister,” said Jones, a Greenville native.

During that trip, attorney Charles Anderson began mixing a coconut rum drink that the group named “Juneteenth” in honor of the holiday. The drink was an instant hit, prompting Jones to wonder if others might connect with it the same way. She soon had her answer when a graduation party of close to 100 people fell in love with it.

At the time, Jones was working at Furman University as a major gift officer and one of the programs she sought money for was the Hill Institute for Entrepreneurs and Innovators. She knew the beverage business would be a good fit for the program, but waited until she left her position to formally pursue the idea through GVL Starts. The nine-week accelerator offers mentorship, curriculum and ecosystem connections to first-time founders.

As part of the 2023 cohort, Jones won the program’s pitch competition and received a $5,000 grant. She later raised an additional $100,000 from friends and family to move the business forward. “It enabled me to hire consultants who have been in the beverage space for years,” she said.

The brand officially launched in October 2024 with a sold-out event that drew more than 700 guests.

Building momentum

While the journey has been rewarding, Jones acknowledged that it’s not without its challenges.

“I have moments where I think this is harder than I expected, but God always shows up to remind me to be faithful and it drives me to see other people win,” Jones said.

Six Nineteen 1865 currently offers two 8% ABV cocktails:  a coconut rum-based drink and a grapefruit agave cocktail.

“Our goal is to sell 1,000 cases a month as the word gets out,” said Jones, who will be expanding the offerings in May or June to include a watermelon ginger refresher and a passion fruit mocktail.

Paying it forward

Giving back is central to the brand’s mission. Jones, an only child, credits her grandmother as a role model.

“She took in 54 foster children and this instilled in me the responsibility to care for people from all walks of life,” said Jones.

Jones’ grandmother is 87 now and one of her foster children, Denise Anderson, became like a sister to Jones. “When she came to us, she couldn’t walk,” Jones said. “If God didn’t place her with us, where would she be?”

Inspired by those experiences, Jones created a philanthropic arm to give back. The Six Nineteen 1865 Foundation supports emerging leaders through scholarships, grants and formal awards aimed at recognizing excellence in academic, entrepreneurial and philanthropic pursuits.

Jones said the journey has been insightful, sometimes challenging, but always rewarding. Six Nineteen 1865, which she refers to as “history in a glass,” is intended to bring together people from all walks of life in a spirit of excellence, according to Jones. “What I’d like to be known as is the unifier CEO because I build bridges for others to cross,” she said.