'Real Housewives' star Erin Lichy and her husband Abe are building a mezcal empire between diaper changes

Business Insider

7 days ago

Erin and Abe Lichy launched Mezcalum, a mezcal brand inspired by their love of Tulum, Mexico.
The Lichys say their mezcal is a smooth, versatile product that will convert tequila drinkers.
Their mezcal brand emphasizes sustainability and female empowerment in the spirits industry.
It's a sunny Tuesday afternoon, and Erin Lichy is multitasking in the New York office she shares with her husband, Abe, in true modern-mom fashion. While simultaneously fielding interview questions, she's feeding her newborn, the couple's fourth child.
"I'm pumping as we speak," the 37-year-old told Business Insider with a laugh, a candid glimpse into the chaos and joy of life as a new family of six after the addition of her baby boy in March.
Erin, a real-estate agent and interior designer, and Abe, a lawyer, aren't just a professional New York power couple. As of two years ago, when Erin joined the rebooted cast of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City," they're also reality TV personalities. But being on TV hasn't stopped them from continuing to multitask. Shortly after joining "RHONY," the Lichys launched another venture: their mezcal brand, Mezcalum.
That hangover-free feeling
The genesis of Mezcalum is rooted in their love affair with Tulum, the beachy Mexican travel destination they describe as their "happy place."
"We had mezcal for the first time there and fell in love," Erin said.
Unlike the smoky mezcals that dominate the US market, what they tasted in Tulum was smooth, versatile, and surprisingly easy to mix or drink straight.
Erin was so enamored by the spirit that she was determined to spread the word. "Somebody needs to bring this to America," Erin quipped of mezcal on a "Real Housewives of New York City" cast trip to Mexico.
Though the moment drew social media backlash given mezcal's centuries-long presence and growing popularity in the U.S., the couple said they are genuinely invested in the culture and craft behind their brand.
Pure mezcal, by Mexican law, must be 100% agave — unlike tequila, which can be just 51% agave, leaving room for additives that often lead to hangovers. It was a lightbulb moment for Erin, who realized that the spirit's pure-agave requirement was a major selling point.
"There's an agave spirit that has to be natural, has to be organic," Erin said. For her, drinking mezcal has been a smoother experience than drinking wine or other liquors — especially the morning after.
"We had a wild night drinking it with friends, and the next day I took a yoga class on the beach, had a green juice, and felt great," she said.
"Especially as a mom waking up early, it's really hard for me to drink anything else," she added.
A sustainable sip
The Lichys saw an opportunity to disrupt a category they felt was "masculine-dominated" in both marketing and flavor profile. They reached out to their longtime friend, Chris Roth, as a partner; their partnership with their distiller, Carlos Mendez Blas, came through Abe's legal work in Mexico.
"I'd been working with the largest tequila and mezcal law firm, Malacara Corporativo, in Mexico for years," Abe explained. That network helped them bypass the usual trial and error of finding a scalable, reliable partner. "When we were introduced to Carlos, it was really clear — this is our guy," Abe said. Carlos even became a part investor, a testament to his belief in the Lichys' vision.
Their mezcal is crafted from a blend of agave species — espadín, the most commonly used agave variety for making mezcal, particularly in Oaxaca, Mexico. This diversity, Abe noted, is what sets mezcal apart from tequila, which can only be made from blue weber agave. "With mezcal, you can create ensembles — these blends that are impossible with tequila."
Erin's platform as a real estate mogul and Real Housewife with a strong female following inspired a brand that was "beachy, light, and smooth" — a mezcal that could replace high-quality tequila in any cocktail.
"We're on a mission to convert all tequila drinkers," Erin said. For Erin, it's also about creating space for women in an industry where they're often sidelined. "I'm actually in this brand," she said, adding that she's proud of the example she's setting for her children and for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Erin's commitment to sustainability runs deep — she studied sustainable development at NYU, and it shows in every aspect of the business. "I won't even send out plastic cups to our vendors," she said.
Mezcalum's partner distillery in Oaxaca re-plants two agave plants for every one harvested, and employs a workforce that is more than 50% women. "There are very few women in the spirits industry who are actually in the brand, not just putting their name on it," Erin said.
Running a business across borders can present unique challenges, especially with the recent landscape of tariffs and trade policy. Even before the threat of U.S. tariffs on Mexican spirits loomed, Abe used his legal acumen to plan ahead.
"We entered into forward purchasing contracts and worked with our importer to capture FPT relief," he explained. Their proactive approach meant that even if tariffs had been imposed, their margins would have been protected. Ultimately, mezcal was exempted from the tariffs, but the possibility underscored the importance of planning and adaptability.
It's a lot to manage, especially when Mezcalum isn't the Lichys' only baby — they have multiple other businesses, not to mention four children, one being an actual baby. So how do they do it?
"We've become very good at compartmentalizing," Abe said. Both he and Erin have worked for themselves for years, and they "live and die by the calendar."
They've also learned the hard way that they can't be hands-on with absolutely everything. "We made that mistake with our first business, a handbag line, where we never learned how to delegate," Abe admitted. Now, they're quick to ask for help and trust their teams.
As the interview winds down, Erin and Abe reflect on their new chapter. "It hasn't really set in yet," Erin admitted of life as a family of six. But with a supportive partnership and businesses that reflect their values, the Lichys are enjoying every moment. Their mezcal isn't just a drink — it's a celebration of culture, sustainability, and the power of partnership.