McClary Bros Drinking Vinegars Update | Shark Tank Season 7

While studying in culinary school, Jess Sanchez McClary realized that traditional drinks like drinking vinegar had disappeared because of mass-produced beverages. Wanting to bring back this forgotten drink, she created McClary Brothers Drinking Vinegars using fresh, local ingredients. These vinegars are great for mixing with cocktails or sparkling water, giving people a unique and flavorful drink option. Let’s see how the negotiations go for Jess in our McClary Bros Drinking Vinegars update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to McClary Bros. Drinking Vinegars after Shark Tank.

Jess entered Shark Tank Season 7, seeking $100,000 for 15% equity in her vinegar-based beverages business. Unfortunately, after her pitch, she left without a deal from the sharks.

In terms of a McClary Bros. Drinking Vinegars update, the company expanded in 2016 by opening its own packaging facility with a tasting room and gift shop, helping more customers experience its products.

Shark	Result
Mark Cuban	No offer
Kevin O’Leary	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer
Robert Herjavec	No offer
Ashton Kutcher	No offer

Shark Tank McClary Bros Drinking Vinegars Pitch

• Entrepreneur: Jess Sanchez McClary
• Business: Vinegar-based beverages
• Ask: $100,000 for 15% equity
• Result: No deal
• Shark: None

Jess stepped into Shark Tank determined to bring back drinking vinegar, a beverage with deep historical roots that had faded from popularity.

She sought a $200,000 investment to scale production and expand distribution into bars, restaurants, and retail stores across the country.

During her pitch, she explained the history of shrub sodas, a colonial-era drink made by mixing apple cider vinegar with fruit, herbs, and spices.

Meanwhile, McClary Bros. Drinking Vinegars, featured unique flavors like Thai Basil, Beet and Carrot, and Cranberry, all made with locally sourced, organic ingredients from Michigan.

Additionally, the vinegars could be enjoyed as mixers in cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks, and they provided a healthier alternative to traditional sodas.

Customers could purchase individual bottles or sample packs, with products available in over 250 retail locations and on Amazon.

Jess handed out samples, demonstrating how the vinegars worked in mixed drinks. Robert Herjavec quickly finished his sample, while Mark Cuban joked that his drink needed more gin.

However, Lori Greiner enjoyed the Apple Pie flavor with bourbon, but none of the sharks liked the straight vinegar taste, which raised concerns about its standalone appeal.

Kevin O’Leary questioned whether Americans would embrace drinking vinegar and asked about sales.

Jess responded that craft cocktail enthusiasts loved the product and shared that in three years, the company had generated $312,000 in sales.

Each bottle sold for $18 to $25 or $45 for a three-pack and could make 12 to 16 drinks. Kevin suggested marketing it strictly as a mixer rather than a standalone beverage.

Mark noted that his wife drank vinegar daily, but he wasn’t convinced about the product’s market potential.

Following Mark’s skepticism, Lori was the first to drop out, citing the lack of independent lab testing for health benefits and her limited experience in the liquor industry.

Similarly, Robert saw the business as too risky and also went out. Mark liked the concept but wasn’t a vinegar fan, so he dropped out as well.

Kevin didn’t officially drop out, but he also didn’t make an offer, believing the business would be difficult to scale.

Guest shark Ashton Kutcher liked that the product was trending but didn’t see long-term sustainability, so he passed.

Ultimately, with no sharks willing to invest, Jess left without a deal.

Keep reading our McClary Bros. Drinking Vinegars update to find out how the company is doing now.

Shark Tank McClary Bros Drinking Vinegars Update

Unfortunately, our McClary Bros. Drinking Vinegars update uncovered some bad news.

Even though the company walked away without a deal, they continued to push forward.

In 2016, they moved into their own packaging facility which included a tasting room and gift shop, allowing more customers to experience their colonial-style vinegar drinks.

At their peak, their products were available in over 700 grocery stores across the Midwest.

However, by 2018, the company shut down, and Jess transitioned into sustainable farming.

Unfortunately, the products are no longer available online or in retail stores.

With the company being out of business, this will be our final McClary Bros Drinking Vinegars Update.

While you’re here, why not check out the other company updates from Season 7 Episode 1? You can find our recaps and update posts here:

• The Beebo Update
• Acton Update
• SignalVault Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 7 products.