There’s a new alternative to energy drinks on the market, and it’s based in Southwest Florida. Say hello to IMBA: a cognitive soda made up of natural ingredients that provide sustained energy and mental clarity without the typical crash.
IMBA is the brainchild of Naples local Stephen LaMelza, who runs the business with his wife Britt.
“We’re moving into a more health-conscious era and functional drinks are gaining a lot of attention,” Britt said. “We’re redefining what energy is supposed to feel like.”
What’s in a can of IMBA? Big chill energy.
Typical energy drinks can be loaded with sugar and other additives that cause jitters and an energy crash. To put it simply, IMBA is built differently because it’s not an energy drink ― it’s a cognitive soda.
Each can of IMBA consists of:
Britt and Stephen say the key to avoiding a crash is the combination of natural caffeine and L-theanine. This combo provides the energy you’re craving and keeps you focused without the jitters that keep you up at night. The pair says if you can drink green tea, you can drink an IMBA.
‘Adderall in a can’
Stephen and Britt don’t just sell IMBA, they live by it.
The IMBA combination is a tried-and-true solution for Stephen, who was searching for a way to ditch his Adderall prescription after feeling zombie-like side effects.
“The supplement stack that we put in IMBA is what he used to get off his Adderall,” Britt said. “Now we have FGCU students calling us ‘Adderall in a can.'”
Stephen originally took the ingredients in IMBA as supplements, but was inspired to create a drink once he began to embrace the kava and botanical tea community in Southwest Florida.
“Nobody likes to take a handful of vitamins everyday,” Britt said. “(IMBA) is more convenient and tastes better than chugging down vitamins. People are loving how it tastes, how it makes them feel, and the fact that we don’t use that artificial junk.”
Feedback from consumers is what keeps the IMBA team going ― and the LaMelzas are hearing raving reviews.
Britt said one customer shared that they’ve been able to ditch their Adderall prescription ever since they began drinking IMBA.
“Just hearing that the product is working gives me the warm fuzzy feeling,” Stephen said. “Because we’re not just a soda. It’s not just for the taste and the enjoyment. It’s for that mental clarity.”
Designed for all walks of life
IMBA isn’t just for students looking to focus. It’s for everyone.
“It’s not just students fueling late night study sessions,” Britt said. “We have busy moms beating the afternoon slump, golfers enhancing their focus, gamers fueling epic sessions, athletes using it as pre-workout, and professionals powering through demanding days.”
Crafting the perfect product: More than 60 taste tests
“We wanted to make sure the product was really good,” Stephen said. “The first flavors that came back were awful.”
It took Stephen and Britt around 15 revisions per flavor and test groups of 10 to 15 people to crack the code on a perfect taste. There’s four IMBA flavors to choose from: orange & cream, pineapple, sour blue raspberry, and sour lemon lime.
“I think we crafted something that’s really palatable and everybody has a favorite,” Stephen said. “We wanted nostalgic flavors that people knew.”
He recommends pineapple for the early morning risers looking for a refreshing start to their day. “It gets me over my 9 a.m. hump and my 2 p.m. slump,” Stephen said.
But Stephen’s favorite is sour blue raspberry, a more natural take on the classic flavor. IMBA’s blue razz is made with real raspberry juice, apple juice, lemon juice and lime juice rather than the typical artifical Jolly Rancher-type flavor.
Britt’s favorite is orange & cream, a nostalgic flavor inspired by a classic orange creamsicle.
Soon, the IMBA team is launching a new nostalgic flavor for your inner-child to enjoy: Root beer.
Behind the name: ‘IMBA is your cheat code to energy.’
Britt and Stephen originally intended for IMBA to be launched in the video game world, but realized their product shouldn’t be limited to one type of market.
IMBA is a video gaming term used when a weapon or character is significantly more powerful or effective, causing it to be imbalanced compared to others. IMBA stands for “imbalanced” or “overpowered.”
“It gives you your edge. It’s your cheat code in the game,” Britt said. “I like to say IMBA is your cheat code to energy.”
Where to get IMBA locally and online
You can find IMBA in over 50 stores, including Nutrition Elite in the Galleria Shoppes, both Naples Mermaid Food Store locations, both Kava Luv Social Lounge locations, and the Alchemist Kava Bar & Lounge.
“Don’t be afraid to pop into your local convenience store or smoke shop, because a lot of them already carry IMBA,” Britt said.
Here’s the highlight list of in-store locations where you can grab a can of IMBA:
COLLIER COUNTY
LEE COUNTY
You can also order IMBA online at www.drinkIMBA.com and have it shipped straight to your door. IMBA offers a subscribe-and-save option so you never have to worry about running out of your favorite flavor.
What’s next for IMBA?
“I’d love to be a staple, clean, cognitive soda for the masses,” Stephen said.
IMBA is already making its way into local stores and sober bars around Naples, but Britt and Stephen are always looking into ways to get the cognitive sodas to more people who may benefit from it.
“We’re local and make sure we support those who stock us,” Britt said. “After a store places their first order, we come in and do a pop-up free of charge where we educate customers and start moving the store’s first order.”
For more information on IMBA, check out the official website www.drinkIMBA.com and Instagram account @drink_IMBA.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Big chill energy: Naples-based duo creates new alternative to energy drinks called IMBA
Reporting by Kendall Little, Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
