Buzzbox, the innovative Indio-based, single-serve portable cocktail is having a moment. Launched in 2016, in the heady pre-pandemic outdoor event days, buzzbox is a brilliant idea well executed. Started by Rod Vendenbos, a La Quinta resident and seasoned entertainment executive, buzzbox was his answer to how to make a better cocktail with a stable shelf life. Inspired by an explosion of kids' drinks with little straws, buzzbox,“the juice box for grownups,” is not just a gimmick; it’s really yummy. Attending numerous high profile events, Rod kept asking himself how he could make a better drink for concerts, arenas and events, thinking, “people don’t want to stand in line for a mediocre cocktail,” and from there, buzzbox was born.
Everyone thought it was a brilliant idea and asked Rod when he was going to start production; the challenge was how to make it happen. Since bottles and cans can’t be brought into many venues, Tetra Pak (a Swedish sustainable packaging company) seemed like a direction to explore, but the company said there was no way to put alcohol into their containers. 19 months later, buzzbox became the first! The lighter to ship, long shelf life, fully recyclable, premium mixed drink is genius; no bar cart required.
Indio, the city of festivals, was the perfect location for the production facility, because of its proximity to so many farms and sources for ingredients. Using water-saving techniques and with the lightweight containers and access to resources, the production and shipping costs would be less. Today, their zero-waste facility, low carbon footprint and commitment to environmentally safe production is a remarkable and much needed success.
Using top shelf spirits and 100% natural recipes, the majority of the ingredients are sourced within a 100-mile radius. The cute 200 ml, completely recyclable package fits nicely in your hand, backpack or pocket. The buzzbox premium cocktail menu features nine options, including the Cuban Mojito, Classic Greyhound, Perfect Margarita and Bloody Mary (the peppers for which are grown by a farmer down the road). Some are infused with honey, using real juices and with no preservatives, so nothing tastes artificial (although I did want a smidge more lime in the margarita). With attention to every detail — even the caps are made of sugarcane and biodegradable — buzzbox drinks are creating quite a buzz. I stumbled across them while touring the Desert Theatreworks community theater for another Desert Magazine story. The buzzboxes looked so enticing in the delightful snack bar at the theater! Lo and behold, the theater manager said it was a local Indio company and I knew I had to profile the product.
On first blush, the name seems like a perfect description for the concoctions — a buzz in a box — but the origin story has more gravitas. Rod’s grandfather was an old car aficionado and a family photo of him with a 1925 precursor to the Aston Martin has a prominent place in Rod’s life. He was noodling around with his business idea and the photo spoke to him. You see, the cherished car in the photo was nicknamed the Buzzbox because its engine sounded like a buzzing bee. That fond memory brought the business idea into relief, and the naming of the cocktail brand was kismet.
Most of all, the drinks are tasty. Initially the target audience was 25-35-year-olds, the sweet spot for those most keen on big outdoor happenings. These days the interest has expanded. I brought a sampling to a 50-something moms’ afternoon post-hike lunch, and we taste-tested four options. Chewing on garden mint to clean our palate, we agreed the balance of tastes, honey flavor and the appeal of the packaging made for a fun and fruitful afternoon.
At first envisioned for events like Coachella Music Festival, Covid meant a pivot for the company. Worried at the onset of the pandemic, thinking the lockdowns would wreak havoc with the business plan, Rod said there was a silver lining for their growth. With restaurants and bars shuttered, people were looking for pre-made, ready-to-drink alternatives. You can buy buzzboxes online, at Whole Foods and other locales nationally. Typically sold in four-packs, the price ranges from about $12-$14, with single servings for about $3.50; not bad for a delectable, transportable elixir. From mom’s nights in or man cave get togethers to skiers, backpackers, golfers, Covid-safe FUN cocktails at home or small high-end events, buzzbox is the bee’s knees!
