Life took a sharp turn for live music venue industry veterans Michelle Beebe and Tania DeGregorio when the global pandemic halted their jobs. During a spring 2020 road trip to Zion National Park, children in tow, they were inspired to take a leap, shifting from crafting drinks at shows to mixing flavors at home. “We grabbed our SodaStreams and notebooks and believed in a dream,” DeGregorio told the Chronicle.
Armed with a combined 27 years of beverage expertise and an entrepreneurial dream, they founded St. Cecilia Soda Company. Their lineup of three distinct sparkling waters – Daytripper, Revelation, and Sunsipper – is now available at grocery stores across the southern half of Texas, including all Central Market stores. Fittingly named for the patron saint of music, St. Cecilia is also an ode to their deep ties to Austin’s music scene.
“Growing up surrounded by incredible live music has become the most important thread in the fabric of who we are,” DeGregorio said. “Music has continued to lead our way towards beautiful people, adventures, and opportunities.”
Beginning with their 13-year adventure at Direct Events, the co-owners/co-CEOs managed and bartended four of Austin’s biggest music venues: the original Backyard, Austin Music Hall, La Zona Rosa, and Antone’s. Beebe went on to manage Donn’s Depot, and DeGregorio also managed ACL Live, House of Blues, many SXSW shows, and Austin360 Amphitheater at COTA. Along the road, both women added “devoted mother and business owner” to their already impressive résumés.
“We have healthy, deep roots here in Austin, and the service industry and music industry are tight and loyal groups,” said Beebe. “We take care of one another and help lift one another up. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without both of those villages in our corner.”
Proudly certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, St. Cecilia is one of a small but growing number of women-owned beverage companies in Austin. “It’s hard wearing all of the hats, but it’s rewarding,” DeGregorio said.
With their sparkling water line, Beebe and DeGregorio made a point to prioritize health. “We wanted to create something healthy, and we all know sugar is definitely not healthy,” Beebe said. St. Cecilia products contain no sugar, no GMOs, no carbs, no gluten, and “no BS” – making them a refreshingly natural and organic alternative to traditional sugary beverages, sipped straight or as a cocktail mixer.
Their packaging choices intentionally emphasize a commitment to sustainability. “While bauxite mining takes 10 times the electricity to produce a ton of aluminum vs. the same amount of glass, recycling a bottle takes 90 percent more energy than recycling a can,” DeGregorio explained. “It’s because of recycling efforts that cans are consistently rated as more environmentally friendly than bottles.”
Instead of heat wrapping plastic sleeves, St. Cecilia employs direct-to-can digital printing (zero plastic or ink waste) and reduced plastic case-wrapping. Each can features an original hand-drawn image by the women, inspired by their favorite places, loved ones, and authentically Austin point of view, and realized by graphic designer Craig Thibaudeau.
The three flavor options also reflect their travel experiences and inspirations. “Each flavor stands for a feeling or action,” DeGregorio said. Daytripper combines blood orange, pink grapefruit, and lemon, and “[it’s inspired by] the real magic you would see when the sun is rising heading into Big Bend National Park.”
Revelation – originally a cocktail created to represent a friend’s new song – features a unique blend of hibiscus, serrano pepper, lavender, and lime. “Serrano is for the spiciness of life, hibiscus for love and happiness, lime for fidelity, and lavender symbolizes serenity and calmness,” said Beebe. The design elements stem from campfire memories at Pedernales State Park. Sunsipper, St. Cecilia Soda Company’s newest introduction, was born of another favorite memory, “watching our boys play in the sunset by the salty ocean in Corpus,” said Beebe.
“This business has been a labor of love,” she said. “St. Cecilia Soda Company is all about feeling good and being good to yourself and your body. It’s roadtrips. It’s sunsets. It’s paddle boarding and watching the stars. It’s belly laughs with friends and invigorating hikes. It’s singing along to your favorite song at full blast. It’s resilience and embracing the unknown. It’s that feeling you get when you catch yourself in a moment recognizing how good this life is and feeling your soul smile.”
Sparkle With a Kick
What to Mix With St. Cecilia
St. Cecilia Soda Company co-owners Michelle Beebe and Tania DeGregorio shared their favorite ways to enjoy their sparkling water, whether at home or out on the town. “We love drinking them on their own as a refreshing sparkling water while tubing, camping, dancing, or exploring our own backyards! We also love ’em in a cocktail!”
Susto’s Revelation
(try it at the Paramount Theatre)
– Susto Mezcal
– Revelation sparkling water
– Hibiscus leaf
– Orange Slice
Depot Ranch Water
(try it at Donn’s Depot)
– Espolòn Tequila
– Daytripper sparkling water
– Fresh lime juice
– Top with soda
– Tajin rim & lime garnish
Paloma Daytrip
– Lalo Tequila
– Daytripper sparkling water
– Splash of fresh pink grapefruit juice
– Fresh lime juice
– Tajin rim
– Lime and grapefruit garnish
This article appears in October 18 • 2024.