Definition: Snazzy
sna-zy ‘sna-zé
adjective
:modern and stylish in a way that attracts attention: FANCY
:attractive in a flashy way
:very spiffy or super-fly
:something that is a vibe
:super sexy way to describe anything awesome, cool looking, super hip, or extremely tasty
Wow, this drink is very Snazzy!
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
David Peterson, a proud Lehigh University alumnus, holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and Product Design with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Hailing from San Francisco, California, David wears many hats. He currently serves as an EMT and coaches lacrosse, and during his college years, he volunteered as a firefighter and worked as a bartender while playing Division One lacrosse at Lehigh.
David’s passion for the alcohol beverage industry drives him to craft the finest drinks using only the highest quality ingredients. He is committed to encouraging people to drink in moderation and have more of an appreciation of what we consume. Drawing on his EMS and firefighting background, David envisions his business as the first alcohol beverage brand to actively support first responders, active-duty military, veterans, and individuals struggling with mental health. Join us in this mission to create a positive impact, one sip at a time.
The story
David’s earliest memories are bathed in sunlight and the sweet, citrusy scent of lemons. Every summer, without fail, he and his siblings would find themselves in their Nana's backyard in Napa, gathering bright yellow lemons from the trees that dotted the landscape. His grandmother, whom they lovingly called Nana, guided them through this cherished tradition—carefully picking the ripest lemons, their skins warm from the California sun. It is an experience David holds dear, this ritual of gathering together, the sound of their laughter mingling with the rustle of leaves.
With baskets full of lemons, they would all head inside, where Nana would show them how to squeeze out every last drop of juice. The kitchen would fill with the sharp, zesty aroma as they prepared the lemonade. A dash of sugar, cold water, and ice—soon enough, they had the perfect remedy to beat the Napa heat. Then, with tall glasses of fresh lemonade in hand, they would spend the rest of the day by the pool, splashing and laughing until the sun began to set.
This is one of David’s favorite memories from his childhood, one he has carried with him through the years. But it wasn’t until middle school that he discovered a twist to this beloved drink: half & half. On a hot day, someone offered him a mix of sweet iced tea and lemonade—an idea so simple yet so genius. It became his favorite non-alcoholic drink, a staple at restaurants and gatherings. David loved the balance between the tang of lemons and the smooth sweetness of the tea, and soon enough, he was making half & half any chance he got.
As time passed, David found himself working as a part-time bartender during college. He was studying entrepreneurship, a subject that fueled his curiosity and passion for business. But life, like it often does, took an unexpected turn. The pandemic hit, and David found himself back home, the world suddenly at a standstill. With little else to do, he spent that summer back in Napa, at Nana’s house, where the lemon trees still grew strong, and the sun still burned as bright as ever.
One afternoon, while lounging by the pool with a glass of half & half in hand, David had a sudden thought: what if he added a splash of rum? The idea seemed too good not to try, so he grabbed a bottle, poured it in, and took a sip. The result was nothing short of amazing—an instant hit in his eyes. He went on to experiment, testing the mix with whiskey, vodka, and tequila—all of which tasted just as refreshing and exciting, each combination as delightful as the last.
It was then that the seed of an idea took root. David realized that while there were plenty of alcoholic drinks on the market, there was nothing that offered the kind of versatility and choice that he was experimenting with. No variety packs where the liquor was the "flavor" choice, nothing that captured the spirit of his childhood summers while offering the flexibility of different liquors.
Armed with his entrepreneurial spirit and a vision for something new, David began to develop what would soon become Snazzy Beverages—a brand that lets the liquor be the flavor choice. He wanted to share that same sense of joy and discovery he felt with the world—the magic of a drink that could be as simple as lemonade and iced tea but with the added thrill of choosing the liquor to match. Snazzy was born out of a desire to create a brand that celebrated fun, flavor, and the nostalgia of childhood memories, while giving it a grown-up twist.
David’s journey from picking lemons in Nana's backyard to founding Snazzy Beverages is a testament to how life’s simplest pleasures can sometimes spark the most innovative ideas. Now, every sip of a Snazzy is more than just a drink—it’s a celebration of tradition, creativity, and the joy that comes from turning a sweet memory into something extraordinary. His goal is simple: to bring the joy of those childhood summers and the excitement of mixing to the rest of the world, one sip of a Snazzy at a time.