Pesche currently stocks three flavors, each for a different vibe. Hy-Vee plans to sell them across the Midwest. (Photo courtesy of Pesche)
By Libby Nichols
As more consumers embrace a “sober curious” lifestyle, Des Moines-based beverage company Pesche (pronounced Pesh-ay) is proving that cutting back on alcohol doesn’t mean sacrificing experience.
Founded by local husband-and-wife team Taylor and Zach Grasso, pictured, Pesche was born from a personal shift toward healthier living. The idea emerged after Taylor completed Dry January and realized she felt better living without alcohol. Cutting out alcohol also made Zach’s Type 1 diabetes easier to manage, which led the couple to rethink what they were drinking. What they found was a gap in the mocktail market for beverages that delivered both flavor and functional benefits.
“We wanted something that didn’t just take alcohol out,” Taylor said. “We wanted to put the benefit back in.”
That philosophy became the foundation of Pesche’s three functional beverages: Unwind, Lift and Kickback, each designed to match different moments people typically reach for an alcoholic drink.
Taylor helped develop Pesche’s formulation herself. As a registered dietitian with a background in food science, she worked alongside food scientists to ensure every ingredient served a purpose and every formula delivered the intended benefit. “I really understood what was going into our product,” she said. “I was able to communicate with the food scientists and be more specific about what we wanted because I knew how those ingredients functioned.”
That attention to detail extends beyond the functional ingredients. Rather than relying on artificial sweeteners or inexpensive ingredient substitutes, Pesche uses real fruit purées and ingredients carefully chosen to complement each beverage’s purpose.
For example, Unwind uses magnesium glycinate along with reishi mushroom and tart cherry extract to promote relaxation. “There are several forms of magnesium,” Taylor explained. “Many brands use magnesium citrate because it’s less expensive, but we chose magnesium glycinate because we wanted ingredients that actually matched the purpose of the product.”
Unwind was inspired by the viral “Sleepy Girl Mocktail.” Instead of mixing ingredients nightly, Taylor envisioned a ready-to-drink version designed as an alternative to an evening glass of wine, for a calming ritual without alcohol.
For a boost of energy at a social outing, Lift is a peach mango margarita-inspired beverage that combines green tea-derived caffeine, ginseng and lion’s mane mushroom to provide a smoother source of energy than traditional energy drinks. Meanwhile, Kickback is inspired by a strawberry mint mojito and features cordyceps mushroom, rhodiola and ashwagandha for casual gatherings like bonfires, golf outings or afternoons by the pool.
Today, Pesche is carried in approximately 25 locations across Iowa. This August, Pesche will land on shelves in nearly all Hy-Vee locations throughout the Midwest.
Despite the rapid growth, Taylor says the company isn’t rushing expansion. Instead, the founders are focused on building a strong foundation in the Midwest before going nationwide. “Our goal is sustainable growth,” she said. “We want to build something that lasts.”
Looking ahead, Taylor hopes to continue expanding Pesche’s lineup with beverages that meet consumers where they are. One concept already in development is a hydration-focused drink designed to ease pregnancy and breastfeeding, reflecting the company’s commitment to creating functional beverages for every stage of life.
As functional beverages continue gaining popularity, Pesche is positioning itself as more than another mocktail brand. It’s creating drinks that support wellness while giving consumers a reason to raise a glass, alcohol optional.
Libby Nichols is the creator and founder of Meet DSM. She also writes about local businesses and events for dsm magazine.
