Smakk’d refreshers and teas was originated in 2016. The owner and mixologist, Shequoia ‘Coya’ Henderson, started making drinks at her brother’s well-known restaurant, Taco Mell — known for great food and Kool-Aid. At the time, the kool-aid was being mixed by a colleague, Big B. Once Big B went on to do his own thing, Taco Mell was left without the famous Kool-Aid that Big B had made fresh daily.

Shequoia decided to take matters into her own hands and took her chances making fresh Strawberry Lemonade. The customers at Taco Mell were very receptive to the Strawberry Lemonade, but it wasn’t quite the sweet fruity Kool-Aid they had been used to. Coya decided to take things a step further and create a recipe for her Kool-Aid. Once she perfected her recipe, her business began to flourish. This allowed Coya to venture off on her own and create her beverage company, Smakk’d.