KOVAL Distillery has announced that its signature Dry Gin has been chosen for Hilton’s national “Women of Spirit” beverage program, an initiative celebrating women’s contributions to the spirits and hospitality industries. The program will run through April 19, 2026, and features the Chicago-based, woman-owned distillery’s organic gin in a nationally distributed cocktail.
The centerpiece of the collaboration is a cocktail called “For Good,” crafted by Chelsea McPeek of the Hilton Chicago. The drink draws inspiration from the Chicago-born story of Wicked and showcases the woodland botanicals of KOVAL’s Dry Gin.
“We are truly appreciative of the opportunity to have our gin included in a program that so thoughtfully highlights women’s contributions to this field,” said co-founder Sonat Birnecker Hart.
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READ THE STORYBirnecker Hart played an instrumental role in establishing a better legal framework for craft distilling in Illinois. She views the Hilton partnership as recognition of the broader industry’s growth.
“It is a pleasure to see our dedication to organic, small-batch distillation resonate with a brand as respected as Hilton,” she added.
Founded in 2008, KOVAL is one of the largest independent and woman-owned craft distilleries in the U.S. The distillery operates on a “grain-to-bottle” philosophy, sourcing all grains from organic farmer collectives in the Midwest and overseeing every step of the production process.
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The distillery’s award-winning spirits are distributed globally and have earned recognition for innovation and a commitment to sustainable, regenerative agriculture.
Hilton’s “Women of Spirit” program sits within a wider industry trend of major hospitality brands spotlighting female-founded and female-led spirits producers. Women-owned distilleries have seen significant growth in the U.S. over the past decade.
The inclusion of KOVAL’s gin in a program of this scale represents a notable national on-premise placement for the Chicago distillery. It also underscores the growing purchasing power of craft and independently owned brands within large hotel and hospitality chains.
