Why do you think that ranch water/hard seltzers have taken off in recent years?
I believe the name of the drink itself has a lot of power. It's straightforward in that it tells you exactly where it comes from, 'the ranch,' but also has a sense of mystique because you don't know exactly what that entails. In many ways, this is symbolic of the drink's birthplace in the far West Texas frontier - a place that is symbolic of the American West but also has a certain mystique you can't quite put your finger on.
Beyond that, Ranch Water is a straightforward recipe that inherently lends itself to a lot of the wellness trends that have taken root over the past decade - And these are the same trends that have also helped build the hard seltzer category. So when you look at these factors, you see how we got to where we are today with Lone River Ranch Water.
What differentiates your ranch water from the rest?
I think there is an authenticity to the story behind our brand that is hard to replicate and something that has resonated with consumers.
My family settled in West Texas, the birthplace of Ranch Water, over 100 years ago, and we've been ranching out here for generations. Ranch Water is more than a trend or a drink to us; it's part of the culture. There's even a great legend that goes along with it - As the story goes, a wild-haired rancher from Far West Texas first concocted it in the 1960s. The spirit of the drink had him following miles of Texas stars until he was found asleep under a piñon tree.
We created Lone River Beverage Company as a platform to package this drink to give people a taste of West Texas and build a brand that tells the story behind it.
What new flavors can we look forward to in the coming months?
We recently released our Variety Pack, which features a new, exclusive flavor, Prickly Pear Ranch Water, inspired by the cactus
fruit found in the high desert of Far West Texas. This Prickly Pear fruit adds a natural sweetness that has already become a fan favorite!
What are your favorite flavor and food pairing?
Every Friday night, we have El Tiempo chicken fajitas and Spicy Ranch Water on our table. It's hard to beat this combo, which is probably why we have it weekly. For an extra kick, we'll even add a little hot sauce to the rim of the can.
Do you have any other beverages that you are working on, or do you think you will stick with ranch water for a while longer?
We'll have some big news next Spring (2022) as we release a new lineup of products inspired by another beloved cocktail originally invented in Far West Texas!