BATON ROUGE, LA. — Hot sauce maker Swamp Dragon is raising capital to support its national expansion. The company manufactures and markets a range of bottled hot sauce formulated with bourbon, tequila, rum, vodka or ouzo instead of vinegar. The spirits add stability and flavor, minus the pungent, acidic notes of traditional varieties, according to the company.

Matt Beeson, founder and chief executive officer of Swamp Dragon, aims to grow the brand’s footprint with “enormous mass market opportunities” ahead. The products are currently available to purchase online and in more than 1,000 retail stores across the country.

“Now that the pandemic problems are easing, opportunities that were on hold are returning, and we need investors in order to exploit those opportunities,” Mr. Beeson said.

Mr. Beeson six years ago partnered with food scientists and students at Louisiana State University’s Ag Center Food Incubator to commercialize the concept. Swamp Dragon hot sauces are legal to sell to minors and ship across state lines, per the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Non-Beverage Laboratory. The products pair well with tacos, cocktails, pizza, chicken and waffles, and chocolate chip cookies, according to the company.