Meet the Founder

Ingrid Smith is the Founder & CEO of Nirvana, a premium coconut water-based RTD cocktail brand redefining modern drinking culture through what she calls “functional indulgence.”

After more than 15 years in the beverage industry working across global brands including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, MillerCoors, and Nestlé, Ingrid saw a major gap emerging in alcohol: consumers wanted cleaner ingredients, elevated flavor experiences, and drinks that aligned with how they actually live today.

Frustrated by a category dominated by overly sweet cocktails, artificial ingredients, and interchangeable hard seltzers, she launched Nirvana to create something different — a fruit-forward cocktail crafted with real coconut water, premium spirits, and intentional branding designed for the modern drinker.

Today, Ingrid is becoming a recognized voice in the evolution of the RTD category, contributing insights on premiumization, consumer behavior, and the future of beverage alcohol through industry publications, retail strategy content, and founder-led thought leadership.

Under her leadership, Nirvana has expanded into key retail and hospitality accounts including Total Wine & More and private club partnerships, while building a loyal community around the idea that indulgence and intention can coexist.