Exhibiting at World Tea Expo 2025

High Octane Lemonade is a bold entrant in the ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverage space, offering high-proof, creatively flavored hard lemonades and cocktail-style drinks. Founded in Salt Lake City, Utah, the company has rapidly positioned itself as a premium brand in the craft RTD sector through a combination of innovation, artisanal ingredients, and a rebellious brand identity.

Core Business

High Octane Lemonade specializes in the production and marketing of premium hard lemonades and canned cocktail-inspired drinks with elevated alcohol content. With a focus on both flavor and potency, their beverages are tailored to consumers looking for stronger alternatives to traditional beer or seltzers while maintaining the convenience and portability of ready-to-drink formats.

Product and Service Offerings

The company has curated a distinctive lineup of beverages featuring both signature lemonades and cocktail hybrids:

• Original High Octane Lemonade – A 12% ABV tart-sweet lemonade with a citrus punch.
• Forest Fever – A foraged berry blend with botanical undertones, also at 12% ABV.
• Honore de Tuscany – A Tuscan-inspired lemon-lavender beverage with a refined, floral finish.
• Harder Arnold Octane – A boozy take on the Arnold Palmer with a twist.
• Wide Open Whiskey – A bold whiskey-based lemonade drink.
• High Octane Margarita – A citrus-forward cocktail in a can with tequila notes.
• Lemonade Twist – A rotating seasonal release that experiments with exotic ingredients and new formats.

All drinks are packaged in 16 oz sleek cans with visually distinct branding aimed at appealing to millennial and Gen Z consumers.

Specialization and Core USP

High Octane Lemonade’s unique selling proposition lies in its high alcohol content (12% ABV) combined with natural flavorings and an artisanal brand image. Unlike many low-ABV seltzer products flooding the market, High Octane’s offerings are unapologetically strong, catering to bold consumers seeking higher impact beverages.

Their branding also leans heavily into motorsport and adrenaline culture, further setting the tone for an adventurous, rebellious persona. Each SKU is carefully formulated to strike a balance between potency and flavor complexity, which appeals to a premium segment of the RTD market.

Financials

As a privately held early-stage company, High Octane Lemonade does not disclose full financials publicly. However, estimates based on retail presence and distributor feedback indicate:

• First-year gross sales exceeded $1.2 million in Utah, Nevada, and Colorado markets (2023).
• Average monthly growth rate: 28% QoQ between Q1–Q4 of 2023.
• Recently secured $750,000 in seed investment from private investors and beverage incubators.

Shipment and Export Records

High Octane Lemonade is still primarily a domestic brand focused on U.S. expansion, especially in the Western and Midwestern states. According to data tracked on import-export platforms:

• No international shipments as of April 2025.
• Domestic distribution currently spans over 350 retail locations including Total Wine, BevMo, and regional convenience stores.
• Signed distribution agreements with 3 regional alcohol wholesalers in Q1 2024.

Target Market

High Octane Lemonade targets adventurous 21–35-year-old adults who value convenience, strong flavor, and high ABV. The core demographic includes:

• Urban millennial males and females seeking alternative alcohol experiences.
• Consumers disillusioned with low-impact seltzers and beer.
• Festival and motorsport attendees drawn to the brand’s lifestyle and thematic positioning.

Their marketing efforts are heavily focused on social media, event sponsorships, and influencer collaborations in alternative music and motorsport niches.

Capabilities

• In-house R&D team crafting unique, small-batch recipes.
• Scalable co-packing relationships in Utah and Nevada.
• Access to regional distribution networks and cold-chain logistics.
• Agile production cycles allowing for seasonal and limited-edition drops.

The company also utilizes a proprietary customer feedback loop via its website and QR codes on cans to refine product iterations based on real-time consumer data.

Certifications and Compliance

• All beverages are produced in FDA-registered facilities and comply with TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) labeling and formulation standards.
• Ingredients sourced from GMP-certified suppliers.
• Participating member of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform initiative to support small producers.

Customer Testimonials

“Forest Fever is hands-down the most unique RTD drink I’ve had—it’s got a real punch and real flavor.” – Verified customer on Instagram

“Finally, a drink that actually tastes good AND gets the job done. I’m ditching seltzers for good.” – BevMo customer review

Major Achievements

• Sold over 250,000 cans in its first 12 months on the market.
• Featured in Craft Spirits Magazine’s “Top 10 RTD Brands to Watch in 2024.”
• Secured partnerships with Hot Rod Nationals and Desert Jam Festival as exclusive drink sponsor.
• Released the Honore de Tuscany SKU, which won Best RTD Innovation at the 2024 Rocky Mountain Beverage Expo.