49 June 18–24, 2026 NEW TIMES miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com By Carolina del Busto How Priscilla Perez is building one of South Florida’s most ambitious beverage empires. Shaking Spirits M A D E I N M I A M I A D V E R T O R I A L Miami has never had much patience for people who think small. It’s a city built by dreamers, hustlers, immigrants, and risk-takers willing to bet on themselves long before anyone else sees the vision. Sometimes those bets fail. Sometimes they create some- thing entirely new. For Perez, the gamble is never whether it will work but rather it is how far she could take it. As a first-generation Cuban-American born and raised in Hialeah, Perez spent much of her career navigating one of the country’s most competitive industries while quietly building a reputation for spotting opportunities before they became obvious to everyone else. Most people know her as the co-founder of Voli 305 Vodka, the real Miami-born spirits brand that has steadily carved out a place in a crowded marketplace. But the bottle is only part of her story. Over the past 10 years, Perez has built a growing portfolio of businesses while establishing herself as one of the few female owners and operators in an industry that remains overwhelm- ingly male-dominated. More importantly, she’s done it without zero interest in standing still. Perez is equally comfortable discussing distribution strategy and product development as she is pouring samples at an event, meeting customers, or working alongside her team. In an era when many executives operate from conference rooms and spreadsheets, she still prefers being where things actually happen. That hands-on mentality has become one of her greatest strengths. It’s also a very Miami way of doing business. This is a city where relationships still matter. Deals happen over cafecito or in Priscilla’s preference a Cafecito Martini. Part- nerships are built face-to-face. Reputations travel quickly. The people who succeed here understand that business isn’t simply transactional — it’s personal. Perez seems to understand that instinctively. She knows brands aren’t built solely through advertising cam- paigns or social media impressions. They’re built through trust, consistency, relationships, and a willingness to show up every day and do the work. That philosophy has helped fuel the continued growth of Voli 305. In recent years, the brand has gained significant momentum, most recently highlighted by its designation as the Official Vodka Partner of the Miami Dolphins. The partnership placed Voli 305 alongside one of South Florida’s most recognizable sports franchises while further strengthening the company’s connection to the city that inspired it. For many founders, securing a partnership with an NFL fran- chise would represent a career-defining milestone. For Perez, it was simply another step forward. The same can be said for Voli’s nationwide partnership with Hard Rock, which significantly expanded the brand’s visibility across one of the world’s most recognizable hospitality and entertain- ment organizations. Not bad for a company built right here in the 305. Yet even as Voli 305 continues to grow, Perez has been focused on something bigger. Today, she serves as the majority owner of Big Cypress Distillery, a South Florida craft distillery that continues to expand its footprint across the region. The company’s West Kendall location serves as its primary production facility, with their second loca- tion near The Falls set to open this summer. The new space will offer visitors a chance to learn about the distilling process, tour the facility, and experience the products firsthand through an immersive environment designed to bring consumers closer to the brand. Perez also vows to have several programs designed to educate women in spirits, aiming to encourage women to explore how fusiing spirits and culinary experiences is just as fun as wine pairings. It’s a natural extension of how Perez has always approached business. Consumers today aren’t simply looking for products. They’re looking for experiences. They want to understand the story behind what they’re buying and connect with the people who created it. Perez recognized that long before it became a marketing trend. That same mindset is now driving her next venture. Later this year, she plans to launch iLov Cocktails, a wine-based cocktail line designed specifically for 2COP licensed establish- ments seeking innovative, ready-to-serve beverage options. Available in both 1-liter and 200ml pouch formats, the product reflects her ability to identify emerging opportunities and move quickly when market demand arises. It’s a pattern that has repeated throughout her career. See the opportunity. Build the relationships. Execute relentlessly. Then move on to the next challenge. And there is always a next challenge. In the third quarter of 2026, Voli 305 is expected to enter Mexico through a significant expansion effort that will place the brand in approximately 85 percent of the country’s all-inclusive resorts, as well as Walmart and Sam’s Club locations nationwide. It’s the kind of growth strategy that many companies spend years trying to achieve. Perez is treating it like the next chapter. Perhaps that’s what makes her story such an authentic reflection of Miami itself. This city has always celebrated people willing to create something from nothing. It rewards ambition, resilience, creativity, and the confidence to think beyond what others consider possible. While Miami is often defined by its skyline, beaches, restaurants, and nightlife, its true character comes from the people who build businesses, create jobs, launch ideas, and help shape the city’s future. Perez belongs firmly at the head of that group. Because while she may technically be in the spirits business, what she’s really built is something much larger: a growing collection of brands, a reputation for execution, and a track record of turn- ing possibility into reality. And if the last several years are any indication, she’s just getting started.
