Me & the Bees Lemonade started in 2009 by Mikaila Ulmer when she was just 4 years old out of Austin, Texas. I had the luxury of trying the original Lemonade during my time there and loved it. I was able to find Prickly Pear and the Original Lemonade at my local Publix for about $2.50, here in North Carolina. What a treat! How did it get all the way over here from Texas?
Read on for my review of Me & The Bees Prickly Pear Lemonade.
A Little About Me & the Bees and Mikaila Ulmer
Mikaila brought her favorite things together to make something incredible when she thought to use Honey from her hives and Grandma Helens Flaxseed Lemonade Recipe. I love how people tie in who they love with what they love to create something.
Grandma Helens recipe is from the 1940’s and instead of sugar, Mikaila introduced Honey to the recipe. Since then, she’s expanded her lineup with Prickly Pear, Black Cherry, Ginger and Mint.
Another one of my favorite beverages Green Bee Honey Soda had similar humble beginnings that started with their Kids and a family recipe. I’m all about that pure and honest reason to create something bigger than yourself and to share it.
Originally Mikaila was greenlit on Shark Tank as Sweet Bees Lemonade. Unfortunately, due to copyright they had to change their name. Me & the Bees gave quite a sting to the beverage industry this last decade and has expanded into nationwide markets like Publix and even Costco.
Every bottle sold a percentage goes to Healthy Hive Foundation, a Non-Profit for saving Pollinators also started by Mikaila.
Mikaila published her book ” Bee Fearless, Dream like a Kid” in 2020. She also has a Buziness Plan Workbook for anyone who is inspired by Mikailas Entrepreneurial ship. Meanwhile, she’s steadily incorporating all sorts of engagements in her buzzing career; she is even giving away a year’s worth of product with hashtag #lovetolemonade.
Honestly, I find Mikaila incredibly inspiring. I love that she focuses on kids and pollinators, while showing the adults how it’s done! It took me like 15 years to realize I loved plants and bees; a split fascination influenced by my mother.
What’s it made with?
Me & the Bees Lemonades have no HCF, no preservatives or additives, and of course the staple ingredients; including U.S. Grade-A honey, lemon juice concentrate, Monk Fruit extract, cane sugar and flaxseed extract.
Each bottle is 12 ounces and has 120 calories per serving and just 26 grams of Sugar.
In this particular blend, we have Prickly Pear Syrup mixed in with lemonade.
Me & the Bees lemonade is proof that you can use cane sugar and honey together and have no need for High Fructose Corn Syrup at all.
Where to buy Me & the Bees Lemonade
Originally you could only find it in local central Texas markets, like HEB or Whole Foods. Almost 15 years later, you can now find this lemonade nationwide. Eager buyers can find their lemonade in 12 packs at Costco (San Antonio, Austin and New Orleans). Try 3 flavors; Black Cherry, Prickly Pear, and Original Lemonade at Publix nationwide.
Additionally, Cost Plus World Market, H-E-B, Natural Grocers, Target, The Fresh Market and Whole Foods Market also carry them. Can’t make it to any of those? you can ask services like GoPuff.com to grab you a bottle or two.
Ultimately, you can just purchase directly from meandthebees.com
Me & the Bees Lemonade | Prickly Pear
Review Summary
It’s been so humid and so hot here in the Southeast this Summer. It was amazing to relax poolside with these lemonades. The Prickly Pear Lemonade puts off an odd scent that I wasn’t too fond of when I first opened it. The taste was tart and bitter with a really soothing note of Honey you can’t miss.
The price is the same as a Snapple and comes in nice glass bottles for $2.50 at Publix.
I let my Toddler try it and he definitely noticed the sour up front and was rather puzzled by the taste. He had another sip and said he really liked it. Hes a big fan of Lemon, so I knew it would throw him for a loop with the Prickly Pear.
My Kid also noticed the fun design with the Bee’s flying around.
Admittedly, I generally don’t care for Prickly Pear flavor. However, I really, really enjoyed this lemonade. I’d mix it with some Titos Vodka in a heartbeat.
Can’t wait to try Black Cherry. Keep it going Mikaila! I’m excited to see more flavors and ideas!