Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing an Editorial Mini Session with Jaqueline Adelson, the founder of Jackie Cooks and Drinks! You can find Jacqueline on Instagram @jackiecooksanddrinks. Read on for an interview and to see some of the portraits from our Mini Session!
Q: Please introduce yourself!
A: I’m Jacqueline Adelson, founder of It Girl Cocktails (coming soon!), a lifestyle brand dedicated not just to elevating the home cocktail experience, but to making every woman feel like that girl—confident, empowered, and effortlessly ambitious. I’ve always loved creating in the kitchen, making cocktails, fashion, and entertaining friends and family, so I turned that passion into a business.
Before launching It Girl Cocktails, I spent years in corporate product management in healthcare IT. When my kids were young, I stepped away from that world and built Jackie Cooks and Drinks, a food and recipe blog that became the foundation for It Girl Cocktails. Now, I’m building something that’s more than just cocktails—it’s a brand that embodies confidence, ease, and a little sparkle in every woman’s life.
Find me at ItGirlCocktails.com and JackieCooksandDrinks.com, and follow along on Instagram @jackiecooksanddrinksand @itgirlcocktails.
Q: What were you like as a child? Did any of your interests align with your current work?
A: I was always creative and independent, with a love for making things—whether it was playing dress-up, dancing, or putting on performances for anyone who would watch. Fashion, style, and creating a whole vibe have always been a part of who I am. I loved the feeling of stepping into a character just by changing an outfit, and I see that same magic in the way a great cocktail can set the mood and bring people together. Looking back, it makes perfect sense that I’d end up creating something centered around fun, confidence, and a little bit of flair.
Q: Can you tell me about how/why you started your business?
A: I started It Girl Cocktails because I love making cocktails, but more than that, I wanted to make the process of creating a great drink feel effortless and fun. I also love the feeling of curating a whole experience—whether it’s a drink, an outfit, or a night out with friends.
After leaving corporate to focus on my kids, I created Jackie Cooks and Drinks, a space where I could share my passion for food, drinks, and entertaining. It naturally evolved into something bigger—a brand designed to bring confidence, ease, and a little sparkle into every woman’s life. I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of food, fashion, and lifestyle, and It Girl Cocktails is the perfect expression of that.
My “why” is my kids. I want them—especially my It Girl daughter—to see that you can follow your dreams, even if they come later in life. It’s never too late to take a risk, bet on yourself, and create the life you want.
Q: What is your favorite part of running your business?
A: The creativity. I love dreaming up new cocktails, designing products, and building a brand that feels fresh, stylish, and inspiring. But I also love the people—I can’t wait to create a whole community and movement with It Girl Cocktails. There’s something special about women hyping each other up, and I want this brand to be a space where women feel seen, celebrated, and confident in themselves.
Q: Can you share a favorite story from running your business?
A: There have been so many fun moments, but one that stands out was when I was testing cocktails and held a focus group for taste testing. It turned into exactly what It Girl Cocktails is about—good drinks, great conversation, and women hyping each other up. It felt like the perfect mix of effortless luxury and laid-back fun—exactly the energy I want to bottle up and share with the world.
Q: What is a typical day in your life like?
A: Hectic! No two days are the same, but it’s usually a mix of being on calls with formulators, lawyers, and other partners, working on branding and product development, answering emails, and juggling a million things at once. In between, I’m picking up my kids, making sure dinner is made, squeezing in a little shopping (because let’s be real, retail therapy is a real thing), and finding time to work out because it keeps me sane. Somewhere in there, I’ll make myself a cocktail—because balance.
Q: What are your hopes and dreams for your business?
A: I want It Girl Cocktails to be more than just a cocktail brand—I want it to be a movement and a lifestyle. I want every woman to feel secure in herself, empowered, and confident, whether she’s making a drink at home or stepping into a room like she owns it.
I see It Girl Cocktails growing into a national brand with a strong lifestyle presence, and creating opportunities for women along the way. I want to build something that feels luxurious but never pretentious—a brand that makes every woman feel like the main character in her own life.
Q: Are there any other businesses or people who inspire you with your work?
A: I admire Victoria Beckham—she built a brand with a clear, classic vision and turned it into something global. She understands how to create a brand that feels aspirational yet attainable, and that’s exactly what I want It Girl Cocktails to be.
Q: Are there any words of wisdom that you live by in your work?
A: Rebecca Minkoff once said, Only take advice from people whose lives you want. That really stuck with me. There’s always going to be noise, but at the end of the day, you have to trust yourself and your vision.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A: It Girl Cocktails is just getting started, and I can’t wait for what’s next. If you’re an It Girl—or want to be—come join the movement.
About Editorial Mini Sessions
Editorial Mini Sessions are 15 or 30 minute portrait sessions for headshots, marketing photos or branding photos. Diana uses the same backdrops and lighting she uses when photographing magazine covers and feature stories.
If you’re interested in signing up for an Editorial Mini Session, please email dianalevinephotographer@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list, where you’ll receive all the upcoming dates and details! You can learn more at dianalevine.com/editorialminisessions
Behind-The-Scenes Photos from Jacqueline Adelson Photo Shoot!
About Diana
Diana Levine is a Boston based editorial photographer, specializing in portraits for magazines, headshots, branding portraits, families and children. Her clients include Boston Globe Magazine, Boston Magazine, BC Law Magazine, Simmons Magazine and more. She has photographed notable personalities such as Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys, Usher, New Kids on the Block, One Direction, among many other musicians, actors, politicians, athletes and more. You can find her full portfolio at dianalevine.com