Partnership Targets Caribbean Tourism Market Philadelphia-based canned craft cocktail maker Top Dog Cocktails has announced a strategic joint venture with St. Croix-based Flamboyant Water, committing $1.3 million in growth capital to develop and commercialize a portfolio of Caribbean-inspired ready-to-drink beverages. The partnership combines Top Dog Cocktails' product development and commercialization expertise with Flamboyant Water's Caribbean distribution network. The companies plan to expand across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Anguilla, St. Barths, St. Kitts & Nevis, Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Cabo Verde, and additional Caribbean markets.

Initial Product Lineup Flamboyant Water is expanding beyond its flagship hibiscus sparkling water through the new Flamboyant Reserve line of premium Caribbean-inspired rum-based RTD beverages. The initial lineup will feature four flavors: Hummingbird, Island Garden, Island Spice, and Island Citrus. The beverages will contain fewer than 90 calories per can at 4.5% ABV and will be produced in Pennsylvania, with commercial rollout expected in Fall 2026 in Pennsylvania, Florida, and the Caribbean.

Tourism-Driven Strategy The partnership capitalizes on Caribbean tourism, which draws more than 30 million visitors annually. Michael Pemberton, Founder of Flamboyant Water and Managing Partner of Modern Caribbean LLC (MOCA), emphasized the opportunity: "Most brands spend millions trying to create authentic consumer discovery. The Caribbean already attracts millions of visitors every year. Our strategy is simple: allow millions of travelers to discover Caribbean-inspired products at their point of experience and continue seeking out those products after they return home." Flamboyant Water is also evaluating manufacturing opportunities in the Caribbean to support long-term regional production and export growth. The company is currently in discussions with the Government of Dominica, Invest Dominica Authority (IDA), and the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO) regarding the potential development of a beverage manufacturing and export facility.

Growth for Top Dog Ken Smukler, Founder of Top Dog Cocktails, noted that the joint venture was accelerated by the company's recent market entry into Florida. "Our joint venture with Flamboyant Water was accelerated by our recent move into the Florida Market earlier this year, where we have seen positive sales results out of the gate. The largely untapped Caribbean RTD market is a natural outgrowth of our Southern expansion, creating a footprint for Top Dog Cocktails 12.5% ABV and Flamboyant's 4.5% ABV from Destin, Florida, to Dominica." Smukler added: "Flamboyant represents something much larger than a beverage company. Top Dog Cocktails is excited to partner with Michael and the MOCA team to help achieve his vision for Flamboyant; to build a globally scalable consumer platform rooted in Caribbean culture while leveraging one of the most powerful tourism markets in the world. We believe there is substantial opportunity to create long-term value across multiple beverage categories."

Company Backgrounds Top Dog Cocktails, launched in Summer 2022, has distributed more than 1 million cans across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida in its first three years. Flamboyant Water was founded by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Michael Pemberton under Modern Caribbean LLC in 2024 and develops sparkling waters, premium reserve products, RTD beverages, and functional beverages inspired by Caribbean culture and flavors.

Why It Matters

The partnership positions two independent beverage makers to capture growth in the underdeveloped Caribbean RTD market while leveraging tourism as a customer acquisition channel—a model that, if successful, could reshape how regional brands approach distribution in high-tourism zones.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors