Raising Spirits for a Cause: Ilegal Mezcal and wayOUT Toast to Pride with the Fifth Annual ‘celebratingYOU’ Campaign

Pride Month in New York City carries no shortage of meaning—or celebration. But few initiatives strike the delicate balance between joyful revelry and meaningful impact quite like Ilegal Mezcal’s fifth annual celebratingYOU campaign. Running through June, this spirited fundraiser—now a cornerstone of Ilegal Mezcal’s social impact initiatives—unites craft cocktail culture with a deeper purpose: funding mental health and empowerment resources for the LGBTQ+ community in partnership with national nonprofit wayOUT.

Launched in 2021, celebratingYOU began as a grassroots campaign spotlighting resilience while raising funds through signature cocktails at bars across the U.S. Over the past four years, the program has generated over $80,000 in donations for LGBTQ+ programs—from therapy and housing to safe spaces for youth.

This year, Ilegal Mezcal expands its impact with the introduction of a national silent auction launched June 2, inviting fans to bid on curated lifestyle items in support of wayOUT. The campaign's goal isn’t just to raise funds—it’s to celebrate individuality and spark conversation.

Several of New York’s most dynamic venues are pouring limited-time celebratingYOU cocktails, with proceeds benefiting wayOUT. Each libation is a creative expression of both the bar’s personality and the campaign’s purpose:

• Angel of Harlem is shaking up a Mezcal Mule, a crisp and spicy classic that matches the neighborhood’s pulse.
  

• Arlo Williamsburg offers the Oaxaca Sunset, a mix of Ilegal Joven, ginger beer, and lime—bright and balanced, just like Pride itself.
  

• Tiki Chick leans maximalist with the Cha Cha Chica, layering chipotle-infused mezcal with tamarind, kiwi, and mango brandy spritz—complete with a tajín rim.
  

• X Golf keeps it sultry with In Repo Fashion, blending Ilegal Reposado, Luxardo cherry juice, orange bitters, and a muddled orange garnish for a bold finish.

Since its founding in 2006, Ilegal Mezcal has operated with a commitment to social good. The brand, produced and bottled in Oaxaca, Mexico, is celebrated for its small-batch craftsmanship and earthy, elegant profile. But its ethos extends far beyond the bottle—evident in its continued investment in causes that matter.