Queens locals can now sip on a soda that tastes like home.
ROCKAWAY, a better-for-you soda brand, hit the shelves of local retailers earlier this month. Founded by beverage entrepreneur and Rockaway Beach native Bridget Firtle, ROCKAWAY is available nationwide as a 12-pack for a suggested price of $35.99 on DrinkRockaway.com and Amazon, or as individual cans for $2.29 at local retailers.
The soda is inspired by the shorelines where Firtle grew up and is promoted as a brand crafted with real fruit juice and cane sugar. The soda line is available in four flavors-Berry Hibiscus, Lemon Lemon Grass, Pineapple Ginger and Watermelon Guava- with each 12-ounce can featuring seven grams of sugar and a pinch of sea salt. Additionally, ROCKAWAY is a member of the 1% for the Planet, a nonprofit organization working with businesses to donate at least 1% of annual sales directly to environmental organizations
Firtle said in a statement that the soda is an answer to shelves of sodas filled with additives. “Beyond that, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. ROCKAWAY is for that feel-good moment of reaching for a soda to treat yourself. This is for my home in NYC and for those around the country who want to experience a taste,” Firtle said.
Firtle broke into the American distillation market over a decade ago after leaving her corporate hedge fund investor job to become an entrepreneur. She founded Owney’s Rum and sold the product in stores by 2020. Soon after, the Rockaway Beach local was inspired to start ROCKAWAY based on her health-conscious lifestyle and love for New York City.
