“Smackin Lemonade started in 2024 because of my son. He loves lemonade, and I wanted to build something fun that could help support me while I work toward becoming a nurse. What started as a small idea at local games and community events turned into a full brand that took off faster than I expected,” Smackin Lemonade owner Jamella Reese said.
Smackin Lemonade, located in Menlo Park, sells homemade lemonade, offering juices and seasonal drinks. They serve the Bay Area, booking local events and food truck expos. After gaining popularity on social media and a solid record of satisfied customers, Smackin Lemonade began offering catering services—allowing customers to book the business to provide refreshments at parties, corporate events, summer camps, and more.
Reese is an enterprising and determined owner. “I do everything by myself as a mom, a student, and an entrepreneur. Balancing school, clinicals, work, kids, and a business isn’t easy,” she said. “But every challenge has pushed me to level up my systems, my branding, and my confidence.”
Since its launch in 2024, Smackin Lemonade has offered a wide range of unique lemonade flavors, including watermelon cotton candy, Jolly Rancher, strawberry shortcake, and their annual holiday menu featuring peppermint, caramel apple, and cranberry lemonades.
“My lemonade is handcrafted, bold in flavor, and always topped with fun candies, fruit, cream tops, color drizzles, or custom toppings depending on the season,” Reese said. “I’m not just selling a drink, I’m selling a whole vibe and an experience. Plus, everything is made fresh, served with love, and built to stand out.”
The name captures the brand perfectly. “Smackin’ means really good—like so good you want to smack your lips after every sip. My family uses the word all the time when something tastes bomb, so it just fits. The name is playful, memorable, and exactly how my lemonade tastes,” Reese said.
At Smackin Lemonade, quality is of utmost importance. Each lemonade begins with fresh lemons, mixed with sugar, and topped with freshly squeezed lemon juice. From there, the drink can be customized into any flavor using fresh fruits, candy, and a variety of high-quality Monin syrups.
The brand’s namesake drink, “Smack Ya’ Mama Lemonade,” is a refreshing blend of fruit, candy, and tart lemon. “My favorite drink is Smack Ya’ Mama, hands down. It’s a mix of peach, mango, and strawberry, blended perfectly so every sip hits. I smash real fresh strawberries right into it so you get that natural burst of flavor, then I top it off with one of our signature candy kabobs…It’s the one drink that always gets people saying, ‘Oh yeah… this the one right here,” Reese said.
Smackin Lemonade’s social media is meticulously managed. They frequently post customer taste-tests, reviews, and reactions to their drinks—many of which go viral. Their approach to marketing is entertaining and effective, allowing the brand to reach a larger audience. This fall, Smackin Lemonade released their first merch line featuring pink beanies and souvenir cups.
“Seeing Smackin Lemonade get invited to places I never imagined, like Stanford, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and big community events, tells me people trust my brand. And watching my kids help, smile, and be proud of their mom… that’s a different kind of blessing,” Reese said.
The company’s ambition and commitment to high-quality, delicious, fresh lemonade is paying off. “2026 is a big year. I’m adding more specialty drinks, a mobile caravan, new merchandise, and expanding into hot cocoa bars, tea, coffee, and boba. I want to grow into corporate accounts, school events, and eventually see Smackin Lemonade in local supermarkets. long-term, full franchise energy,” Reese said.
Smackin Lemonade’s mobile approach to business allows the company to serve many different types of customers, gaining insight, feedback, and valuable community connections wherever they set up. Reese’s favorite part of her job is the kids. “One little girl tasted my strawberry lemonade and yelled, ‘THIS IS SMACKIN’ FOR REAL!’ so loud that everyone turned around. Her mom came back the next week asking for ‘the drink her daughter can’t stop talking about,’” she said.
Smackin Lemonade’s growth as a business is reassuring. What started as a hobby has become an ambitious project. Their success serves as a testament to the power of dedication and grit. Working alongside other small businesses, Smackin Lemonade’s frequently endorses other vendors and is a mentor within the community.
To purchase from Smackin Lemonade, check out their Instagram where upcoming events and pop-ups are advertised.
