Anaheim, Calif. — Celebrity-backed Caliwater was founded with a simple idea, according to actor and co-founder Oliver Trevna: “Why coconut when you could cactus?”

Trevna, who said he was a big coconut water drinker, co-founded Caliwater in 2021 after discovering an alternative that he called “Mother Nature’s super fruit,” the prickly pear cactus. Caliwater is positioned as an alternative to coconut water and sports drinks with added electrolytes, less sugar and fewer calories.

While celebrity-backed beverages are nothing new, especially within the crowded beverage industry where brands use partnerships to stand out, Caliwater is uniquely stacked with star power.

Actress Vanessa Hudgens is another co-founder, and the brand launched a blood orange flavor endorsed by musician Demi Lovato. Other celebrity investors include Glen Powell, Gerard Butler and Cody Bellinger.

Earlier this week, Caliwater added musician Benson Boone as an investor and partner. The brand has plans for Boone’s involvement, but didn’t provide specifics.

Despite the long list of celebrity backers, Caliwater highlights its taste more than anything. As a consumer of better-for-you beverages, Trevna joked that he might say he liked kombucha but “if I was put on a lie detector machine…it would probably beep.” Caliwater is meant to be the antithesis of that experience.

The hydration category has made a bigger splash in recent years as more consumers turn to the beverages for more than just sports. Hydration drinks like coconut water, which present themselves as a better-for-you alternative, have especially benefited with Vita Coco for example aiming to cross the $1 billion sales threshold in the next five years.

“Hydration and health is a massive factor for whatever country you live in, but especially in the U.S.,” Trevna, who is from the U.K., said at the Natural Products Expo West conference in Anaheim. “If you can drink something that you enjoy, and at the same time get health benefits from it, it’s kind of a win-win.”

While prickly pear is the base of all Caliwater’s drinks, the brand offers ginger and lime, pineapple and watermelon flavors. In addition to promoting its health and hydration benefits, Caliwater also wants to be positioned as a mixer for alcoholic beverages or mocktails.

The company recently launched in kids pouches as well, which Trevna said was important because “kids are just brutally honest. They can’t be influenced by [a] celebrity.”

The beverage is available in the U.S. and Mexico, and Trevna said the company is eyeing Canada for its next expansion.

As Caliwater looks to scale, it’s also tapping its first CEO in Blair Owens, former chief executive of flavored water upstart Hint. Trevna said in a statement that Owens, who also held leadership and marketing roles at Coca-Cola and Monster, “understands how to scale brands with intention, build high-performing teams, and execute with discipline.”

Though Trevna’s resume includes acting in several movies, pivoting to something new like a beverage company provides a welcome challenge.

“The authenticity of [Caliwater] was there, [and] you know, it’s a challenge,” Trevna said. “We’ve created something that stands alone, and it’s not a quick fix. We’re not trying to win immediately.”