I Create Birmingham: Eric and Kayla Holsomback

“I was on a quest to find the best ginger ale that used good ingredients. I made a batch myself and it won. “



Name:
Eric and Kayla Holsomback
Occupation: Owners of Wholesome Soda Co.

1. What prompted you to start making your own sodas?

I have always been a Ginger Ale and Root Beer fan. About 6 years ago, I was on a quest to find the best ginger ale that used good ingredients. I made a batch myself and it won.

 

2. Without giving away your secrets, what goes in to developing a recipe?

We start out with flavors/fruits that we like. We have learned what types of flavors work well together. My wife has been making a fermented natural soda called water kefir for about 3 years. I normally like to test flavor combinations in that before I test it in force carbonated soda form. We have a batch of water kefir every couple days that we can test flavors with in small quantities. It’s easier to test flavor combinations there than in the larger quantities we’d use when force carbonating.

 

3. What makes Wholesome Sodas unique?

They’re made with real ingredients that you recognize and they have less sugar than normal sodas. They don’t contain HFCS, artificial flavors, or artificial colors.

 

4. You’ve been making sodas for a few years now, how did CO.STARTERS help you strengthen your concept?

CO.STARTERS made me think about the business aspect of Wholesome Soda – how to make money. It also brought the legality of it to light and was fully able to scare me to death.

 

5. Where can you find Wholesome Sodas? What’s next for you guys?

Right now, nowhere. We’re currently working on finding a space and working with some local shops, restaurants, and bars to carry our soda/soda syrups when we fully open.