Kevin Hart is taking a different route in the liquor industry. Unlike most celebrities who simply lend their names to a bottle and call it a day, the actor and comedian is focused on creating something genuine.
In a new interview with MRECK TV, Hart shared that his Coramino tequila and its annual Coramino Cup were designed to shine a light on bartenders — the real tastemakers who keep nightlife culture alive from behind the bar.
Hart said the idea came to life through the right partnership. He teamed up with Domingo Jr. and his family, who bring generations of tequila-making experience and a strong handle on global distribution.
For Hart, that collaboration meant the difference between being a figurehead and being fully involved. “It was about having a voice, having a level of involvement, and actually having the opportunity to be a real partner — not just a face and a name on a label,” he told the outlet.
His vision went beyond creating a great product — it was about shifting how the industry values bartenders. Hart believes they’re the heartbeat of the liquor world, connecting brands directly to the people who enjoy them. “Nobody touches alcohol more than bartenders. Nobody embraces a story more than bartenders because they’re the ones who tell customers every day what makes a product special,” he said.
That’s why the Coramino Cup isn’t just another promo event. To Hart, it’s about appreciation and visibility. “Your worth doesn’t go unseen. Your effort doesn’t go unseen,” he said, explaining that he wants every participant to walk away knowing their impact matters. He hopes other brands will eventually follow suit. “Bartenders are necessary. They’re special. They deserve the spotlight. They deserve their moment of stardom.”
This push for recognition ties into Hart’s bigger mission for Coramino. While he has plans for new product lines and global expansion, he insists that growth must remain authentic. “I would love to look up and see we have several distilleries, that our partnerships are thriving because we not only understand each other but the world understands us,” he said.
Hart’s mindset also mirrors his own journey. Growing up in North Philadelphia but now raising a family on the West Coast, he says both regions shape who he is. He noted that the East vs. West bartender competition reflects that same duality. “Forever a lover of Philadelphia, forever a true lover of the East Coast in general. But because of my kids, I gotta throw half my heart to the West Coast,” he shared.
The interview also gave Hart room to explain how he wants his projects to be perceived. He made it clear he’s not here for drama or cheap headlines. “If [the platform] is not about the salacious, slanderous content that multiplies and basically opportunes the idea of clickbait, I support it,” he said.
For Hart, that kind of clarity matters. He’s not chasing hype — he’s chasing legacy. And that starts with giving long-overdue credit to the people who keep the culture alive behind the bar.
