St Croix-based Flamboyant Water Is Bottling the Spirit of the Islands

By Klysha Best

There is a certain magic in the air when the flamboyant trees burst into bloom, painting the Caribbean landscape in fiery shades of red and orange. For Michael Pemberton, that magic is more than just a memory. It is the inspiration for a business that is now raising a glass and $1.3 million to the region’s future.

Flamboyant Water, the St. Croix-based beverage company founded by the U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has secured a strategic investment through a joint venture with Philadelphia’s Top Dog Cocktails, a move that positions the Caribbean brand for significant expansion across the region and into international markets.

But for Pemberton, this is not just about selling drinks. It is about building a legacy.

“Our strategy is simple: allow millions of travelers to discover Caribbean-inspired products at their point of experience and continue seeking out those products after they return home,” said Pemberton, who is also the Managing Partner of Modern Caribbean LLC (MOCA). “As we expand distribution, we are equally focused on building manufacturing infrastructure in the region that enables Caribbean brands to create, produce, and export world-class products to consumers around the world”.

Building on the success of its flagship Flamboyant Hibiscus Sparkling Water, the company is set to launch Flamboyant Reserve, a premium line of rum-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. The inaugural collection will feature four flavors inspired by the region: Hummingbird, Island Garden, Island Spice, and Island Citrus.

With fewer than 90 calories per can and a modest 4.5% alcohol by volume, the drinks are expected to debut in Fall 2026 across select Caribbean markets, Florida, and Pennsylvania. They are designed not just for islanders, but for the more than 30 million visitors who pass through the Caribbean each year.

Pemberton and his team, which includes co-founder and director Chelsea Williams, a Caribbean-born entrepreneur, are betting that travelers will fall in love with the taste of the islands and continue seeking it out long after they return home.

The investment is more than a boost for the brand; it is a statement of intent for the region’s manufacturing future. Flamboyant Water is actively evaluating opportunities to build a beverage manufacturing and export facility in Dominica, in partnership with the Government of Dominica, Invest Dominica Authority (IDA), and the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO).

Ken Smukler, founder of Top Dog Cocktails, which has sold over one million cans of its craft cocktails in just three years, sees immense potential. “We believe the Caribbean’s tourism economy and growing consumer market create tremendous long-term potential across multiple beverage categories,” he said in a release.

Flamboyant Water was founded in 2024 by Modern Caribbean LLC (MOCA), a firm established by Pemberton and investment banker Les Hollis. The company’s name is a tribute to the flamboyant tree, a symbol of the Caribbean’s vibrant culture and natural beauty.

As the company prepares to roll out its Reserve portfolio and expand its footprint from Anguilla to Cabo Verde, Pemberton’s vision is not just about creating a successful brand, it is about proving that Caribbean companies can produce world-class products, create jobs, and export the flavors of the region to the world.