Crafting Change, One Sip At A Time

By staying true to her instincts rather than following industry norms, Aakriti Kochhar Sachdeva, CMO and Co-Founder, Nuvola Spirits (P) Ltd., is shaping a new category in the Indian market— on her own terms. As she puts it, true influence is not just about personal success; it’s about paving the way for others to thrive. Her goal is to create a legacy where Nuvola Spirits becomes synonymous with authenticity, quality and fearless entrepreneurship, setting new benchmarks for the Indian spirits landscape.

With a Master’s in International Business from Grenoble Graduate School of Business, Aakriti Kochhar Sachdeva’s journey has been marked by a blend of global insights and entrepreneurial spirit. Since 2018, she has successfully led Verve Designs, a garment manufacturing and export business, honing her skills in market strategy and adaptability. Passionate about innovation and inclusivity, she took a bold leap from garment exports to the alcoholic beverages industry in 2024, launching Mikiamo Limoncello, a traditional Italian lemon liqueur.

A Leap Of Faith

Born and raised in Mumbai, Aakriti’s journey took a transformative turn when she married Raghav Sachdeva, in 2018. Since then, the couple has been partners in both life and business,. working to elevate Mikiamo Limoncello.

Aakriti’s exposure to global drinking cultures during her travels made her recognise a gap in the Indian market for, high-quality liqueurs. While whisky, vodka, and gin dominated the industry, the liqueur segment remained largely unexplored. Determined to change this, she co-founded Nuvola Spirits to introduce premium, Italianinspired liqueurs to India. In May 2024, Mikiamo Limoncello debuted in Goa, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

Coming from a background in garment exports, Aakriti faced scepticism about shifting to a niche category. “Instead of following the conventional route, she chose to introduce world-class liqueurs that balance authenticity, quality, and accessibility. There was scepticism, but I believed in the growing appreciation for global drinking cultures and premium experiences in India. That leap of faith led to the birth of Mikiamo Limoncello,” she informs.

Breaking Barriers

The alcoholic beverages industry has long been male-dominated and heavily regulated, but women are challenging norms, breaking barriers, and bringing fresh perspectives to the business. Aakriti sees herself and other women in the industry reshaping the landscape by building inclusive drinking cultures. “Women in this industry are driving experiential and lifestyle-driven branding, making premium spirits more accessible and appealing to diverse audiences,” she states.

Aakriti further highlights that the industry’s strict licensing and distribution laws can be overwhelming, but women-led brands are proving that resilience and strategy can break barriers. “By staying true to my instincts. I am shaping a new category in the Indian market on my own terms,” she adds. It is a long-term gamble that she feels will eventually pay off.

Time For Change

While progress is being made, regulatory complexities often slow down growth. Some key changes that Aakriti would love to see include reducing the bureaucratic red tape for launching new products, expanding distribution and easier access to funding. “Many investors hesitate to back alcoholic beverage businesses due to regulations. More structured financing options would help new brands scale up their operations,” she points out.

Aakriti also feels that encouraging more women to join, lead, and invest in the alcoholic beverage space will help normalise woman entrepreneurship in the industry. “Women are redefining the industry. The future is about innovation, inclusivity, and breaking down outdated barriers to build a thriving, modern spirits market,” she states.

Satisfying Moments

For Aakriti, one of the most rewarding and defining initiatives was the launch of Mikiamo Limoncello..“Limoncello was virtually unknown in India, and bringing it here required meticulous product development, branding, and education. From perfecting the flavour profile to crafting an identity that resonated with Indian consumers, I led every aspect of the launch,” she says.

Some of the key wins included successfully positioning premium world liqueurs as a new category and promoting Mikiamo Limoncello in a way that helped it quickly gain popularity among consumers and bartenders. Now, we are building on this momentum with new products, and the journey has just begun,” says an excited Aakriti.

The Tightrope Act

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the debate around longer working hours is intensifying. While the hustle culture is often glorified, true success comes from efficiency, purpose and balance, not just clocking in more hours. As an entrepreneur in the alcoholic beverages industry—a space that requires long hours, networking, and hands-on involvement—Aakriti has learnt that quality over quantity is the key. Success isn’t about working endlessly but more about working smart, prioritising and knowing when to recharge. Aakriti stands by the philosophy that burnout doesn’t drive results; strategy and flexibility does. “Also, balance leads to longevity. The goal isn’t short-term success, but sustained growth and fulfilment,” she adds. The corporate world needs to shift from hoursbased to impact-based work cultures.

An Inspiration

At Nuvola Spirits, Aakriti is not just building a brand but reshaping perceptions in the alcoholic beverage industry. Bringing premium world liqueurs to India has been both a challenge and an opportunity—one that has allowed her to break barriers and foster innovation.

“Beyond the success of our products, my work empowers others to push boundaries and pursue their passions fearlessly. By navigating regulatory complexities, challenging market norms, and establishing a strong brand presence, I hope to inspire more individuals, particularly women, to step into leadership roles in this traditionally maledominated industry,” she states.

Quick Shots

🌸 One word to describe your drive
Relentless

🌸 An accomplishment you are most proud of
Launching India’s first limoncello

🌸 A person who inspires you the most
Anna Wintour

🌸 Your go-to mantra for tough days
If it was easy, everyone would do it

🌸 If not in your current role, what would you be doing?
Running a high-end fashion brand

🌸 Legacy you want to leave behind
Mikiamo

🌸 One drink that describes you
Mikiamo Piccante because it’s the right balance of bold and sweet with hints of spice

🌸 Early bird or night owl
Night owl for sure

🌸 Go-to power song
‘Roar’ by Katy Perry

Bath Ahead

Aakriti’s is most excited to position Nuvola Spirits as the brand that redefines how India experiences world-class liqueurs by launching three more international liqueurs this year. She is set to introduce Indian consumers to a sophisticated yet approachable drinking culture.

“Beyond just product innovation, I want to challenge the traditional norms of the industry by fostering a more inclusive and dynamic space—whether it’s through unique brand collaborations, immersive consumer experiences, or setting new standards in how premium liqueurs are perceived and enjoyed in India,” she says.

Aakriti believes in creating synergy rather than competing with other players. She opines that this will help everyone in the industry to grow and build partnerships that will be sustainable and give an immersive experience to the consumer. Success, to her, is not just about numbers but also about changing mindsets. She envisions Nuvola Spirits leading this movement, proving that India can shape the future of the global spirits landscape.