Independent and female-owned, High Pony is more than just a brand; it’s a school of thought, an unapologetically confident attitude.
With a mission to empower everyone to live an uncompromising life, High Pony is here to shake up the drinking culture, offering a new way forward defined by ambition and choice.
High Pony was founded by Carmen Sandor, a powerhouse whose journey spans Ivy League education, professional tennis, and investment banking. Driven by the absence of a spirit brand that offered choice and moderation without sacrificing taste or style, she was inspired to create this brand to fill this gap in the market.
To bring this vision to life, Jacknife embraced the drive to create not just a product but a lifestyle.
The process began with deep collaboration to uncover what High Pony truly represented: confidence, versatility, and an energy that couldn’t be contained.
The name “High Pony” was chosen with intention, symbolizing duality. It reflects elegance and refinement while nodding to the focused determination of tying back your hair and getting down to business, a cue drawn from Carmen’s days as a semi-pro tennis player.
This dynamic balance of boldness and grace made High Pony more than a product; it became a lifestyle, a declaration of empowerment. Unapologetically original and undeniably glamorous, High Pony invites everyone to raise their glass and own their moment.
The brand identity materialized through a meticulously crafted visual identity system that balanced boldness with elevated elegance. The frosted bottles, complemented by gold-embossed caps and textured labels, offered a tactile, premium look and physical quality.
From packaging to photography, each detail was imbued with the energy of a brand people would want to show off, hold, and celebrate at gatherings.
High Pony’s duality was a critical challenge. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic variants were designed to feel like family, closely related yet distinct. Custom icons, a vibrant colour palette, and playful typography brought the brand’s personality to life while ensuring its offerings resonated with diverse audiences.
Jacknife’s branding efforts for High Pony empowered the brand to disrupt and elevate social experiences, carving a distinctive space in the beverage industry. Designed for glamorous urbanites as ambitious as they are confident, High Pony is the spirited, elevated cocktail of choice.
Working with Jacknife was one of the best business decisions I have ever made. In my time launching brands, they were the best people I have ever worked with. From our very first meeting, they were attentive and adamant about narrowing down exactly what my vision was. They got deep in the weeds on discovering what language we want to speak to our customers and how that will play out in the world. Through them, I learned that BRAND is much more than a name, logo or website. It has a life of its own. For it to work, there has to be 100% alignment between the business and the consumer. I could not thank them enough for the time and dedication they spent on my project.
