About Us
What's in a Name?
The name SLAPS actually stands for our core ingredients: Salt, Lime, Agave, Pricklypear (or Pineapple) Sparkle. Yes – we literally put a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime in every can, a touch of agave for sweetness, real prickly pear or pineapple for flavor, and a whole lot of sparkle (carbonation)! It started as a fun acronym of the recipe, and it felt meant to be. After all, in slang when something “slaps,” it means it’s awesome. We like to think that’s truth in advertising. From day one, the name SLAPS has been a playful nod to both our ingredients and how dang good we want our drink to make you feel.
And there’s some personal meaning too – adding salt and lime is a little trick I grew up with. In our culture, we sprinkle salt and squeeze lime on everything from fresh fruit to icy margaritas. It brings out flavor and keeps you refreshed. SLAPS was inspired by that tradition, and the name reminds me that a simple blend of humble ingredients can come together to create something amazing. Both flavors are made with sparkling mineral water as the base (which I also make from scratch using reverse osmosis water), so they’re light and crisp.. more like an agua fresca meets a spritzer than a syrupy soda. We’re proud of what goes in our drink. No secrets here, and no weird chemicals either. Just real ingredients and good vibes.
Healthy doesn’t have to mean boring. SLAPS was crafted to be something cool enough for a teenager to crave, yet wholesome enough for a parent to feel good about. If it doesn’t make you smile with that first sip, it’s not truly SLAPS.
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Our Flavors
We currently have two flagship flavors that carry the SLAPS banner:
- OG SLAPS (Original Pricklypear) – This is our original recipe, featuring the bright magenta juice of prickly pear cactus fruit. It’s crisp, lightly sweet, and a little tangy. Balanced with lime’s zing and a hint of salt, OG SLAPS is super refreshing. It’s our love letter to the flavors many of us grew up with in San Diego (prickly pear aguas frescas, anyone?). OG SLAPS brings that nostalgia in a cool, fizzy way.
- Sábado Gigante (Pineapple) – Our second flavor is a pineapple twist on the original. We named it after Sábado Gigante (“Gigantic Saturday”), the iconic Spanish-language TV variety show. Why? Because this flavor is big, bold, and over-the-top fun. Sábado Gigante SLAPS is bursting with juicy pineapple sweetness, balanced by the same lime, salt, and agave base. It’s tropical and tart, but not loaded with sugar like a typical soda. Think of those chili-dusted pineapple spears from the fruit cart.. that bright, sunny punch of flavor.. minus the mess.
Independent and Self-Funded
SLAPS is 100% self-funded and independent. That means no loans from banks, no deep-pocket investors pulling strings behind the scenes. Just a guy with an idea, supported by people who believe in it. Every decision is made with our mission in mind, not some investor’s profit margin. It also means things haven’t always been easy, but the trade-off is worth it: we get to grow this project our way, staying true to the vision.
If you see someone around town wearing a SLAPS logo, just know that they literally helped brew the next batch! I’ve poured my own savings into this and then refilled the tank by getting creative. You might even catch me around San Diego hustling in person. If I’m waiting for the bus or trolley, I’m probably sketching new design ideas for our next sticker, or handing out free samples and decals to anyone who’s curious. I’ve given away merch to random people I meet just to spread the word. Every conversation, every Instagram post, every friend-of-a-friend who hears about us – that’s our “marketing budget.” We don’t have a fancy PR team or Super Bowl ads. We have word of mouth, passion, and a grind-it-out mentality. When you crack open a SLAPS, you’re tasting the result of late-night brainstorming, early-morning deliveries, and community crowdfunding in the purest sense.
Design with Soul
One thing that makes SLAPS really special is that we infuse art and fun into everything we do. I’m not just a beverage nerd; I’m an art and experience nerd, too. From our can designs and pop-up themes, to our stickers and merch, there are little pieces of subtle creativity, puzzles, and inside jokes all over.
Why do we do this? Because SLAPS isn’t just a drink, it’s a fun, memorable, and meaningful experience and a conversation. Our business cards are burned CD-R's for goodness sake. Our pop-ups have Nintendo 64 and POGS versus battles for free gear and all to enjoy, all while 90s skateboard VHS tapes play in the background. I truly want you to feel like you’re part of a little club when you rock with SLAPS - something that is both heavily nostalgic and completely new.. a community of people who get the joke and share the vibe.
Involving these creative elements is my way of showing that there’s a real person behind this brand, not a faceless corporation. I’ve doodled many of the designs myself. Our smiling salt shaker mascot, the winky lime slice, the prickly pear with a halo – those characters reflect the personality of SLAPS: a little retro, a little tongue-in-cheek. They remind us not to take life (or ourselves) too seriously. At the end of the day, we’re making a fun drink and it’s OK to have fun with it! So keep an eye out, because the SLAPS universe has layers. And if you ever think you’ve cracked one of our secret codes, figured out an Easter egg, or just have an interest in collaborating at some point, hit us up here or on social media! I’d love to confirm if you’re right (or drop a hint if you’re close!).