Some brands begin with a pitch deck. Others begin with a shift in how someone chooses to live. Soca Mocktails began with the latter, through the vision of its founder Kristel Smith.
At its heart Soca Mocktails is a Caribbean rooted lifestyle brand built around culture connection and celebration. It creates elevated zero proof experiences that still feel social joyful and full of rhythm. The kind of moments that naturally happen when people come together. It was never about removing anything from the experience. It was about expanding it.
The brand lives through an original content series that blends Caribbean flavour music style and everyday social moments with conversations featuring creatives entrepreneurs and cultural voices. Each story feels personal and familiar celebrating Caribbean excellence without forcing explanation. It is expressive rooted and grounded in real life. Beyond the screen Soca Mocktails steps into pop ups and in person experiences creating spaces where people can taste laugh connect and celebrate together in real time. The vibe always comes first.
The name itself is rooted in feeling. Soca represents joy movement and collective celebration. It is the rhythm of Caribbean life the sound that fills a room and pulls people together without instruction. Mocktails are not framed as an alternative or an afterthought. They are intentional confident and full of excitement. Together the name reflects what the brand truly is. Vibrant cultural inclusive and grounded in celebration while opening up new possibilities in the glass.
Soca Mocktails began from a very personal place for Kristel. Around 2020 during the height of the pandemic she found herself reassessing how she was showing up for her health both physically and mentally. Like many people that period became a quiet wake up call. She started making small shifts moving her body more eating cleaner and naturally reducing how much she was drinking not out of restriction but curiosity.
What surprised her most was how quickly she felt the difference. Her energy improved. Her focus sharpened. Over time the physical changes followed. The journey continued in a way that felt balanced and sustainable and the impact stayed with her long after the world reopened.
By 2024 creativity entered the picture in a new way. While working in ad tech managing a team of creative strategists Kristel was also exploring content creation and partnerships professionally. Alongside that she began casually sharing mocktail recipes and lifestyle content. It was part creative outlet part documentation of what she already enjoyed. The response was warm immediate and unexpected.
As Carnival approached the idea evolved naturally. One evening during Thanksgiving while talking with family Kristel thought about pairing mocktails with the soca music she loved most past and present as a way to count down to Carnival. The first video was inspired by Swappi’s “Bucket.” It was spontaneous and unpolished. A bucket a phone set up in her living room and pure enjoyment. No lights. No special setup. Just movement joy and presence. People connected deeply with that energy.
Even after Carnival passed the series continued to grow. People kept engaging sharing and connecting through the drinks the music and the culture. What began as a personal wellness shift slowly became a creative expression of Caribbean life celebrating flavour sound and social connection. Eventually it became clear to Kristel that this was bigger than a personal project which led to the creation of a dedicated Soca Mocktails platform.
Milestones followed organically. Artists and brands she admired began acknowledging the content accepting collaboration invites resharing videos and engaging publicly. Those moments felt affirming because they shifted the experience from something solitary to something communal.
A defining moment came when Kristel was invited by Meta to participate as a guest panelist speaking to brands about content creation and the value of working with creators. Selected as one of three creators she took the stage with Machel Montano’s “Toro Toro” and KES’ “Cocoa Tea” playing as clips of her mixing drinks rolled on screen. People danced in their seats. The room moved. For a Caribbean creator it was deeply affirming and unforgettable.
Another milestone was welcoming artists onto the Soca Mocktails series. Kevon Carter became the first artist guest. Shortly after KES agreed to appear creating a full circle moment. Kristel travelled to Virginia Caribefest where he was headlining and filmed the episode there. Nerves faded quickly once she met him and his team who were supportive warm and fun. The experience felt aligned with everything the brand stood for.
Fashion entered the story with the inclusion of designer Chandra Maharaj opening space to spotlight Caribbean creativity in a new way. That shoot turned into an all star lime featuring Xplicit Mevon Braveboy and Muhammad from Freetown Collective. It was joyful chaotic expressive and deeply Caribbean.
Behind the scenes growth was happening too. After initially shooting most content solo on her iPhone Kristel began collaborating with videographers and creative leaders. Working with visual storytellers expanded her technical skills sharpened her storytelling and elevated the production without losing the brand’s soul. Learning in real time and feeding off creative energy became part of the journey.
The year closed with the first in person pop up at Toucan on de’ Avenue. Until then the experience had lived mostly on screen or in intimate settings. Meeting people face to face sharing drinks in a public space and feeling that support in real time confirmed something important. Soca Mocktails was meant to be lived not just watched.
Along the way the lessons became clear. Trust the process. Stay true to your voice. Not everything needs to be rushed and not every opportunity needs to be taken. Consistency matters more than perfection. Community matters more than anything.
For Kristel a brand is not a logo or a product. It is the feeling people carry after interacting with what you put into the world. A business offers something functional. A brand creates connection meaning and belonging. That feeling is what keeps people coming back.
Soca Mocktails exists comfortably in that space. It is not about giving something up. It is about showing up fully. About balance creativity and celebration. About Caribbean culture lived loudly joyfully and intentionally. The rhythm was never in the alcohol. It was always in the people.
