What started as a simple idea to create a healthier alternative to coconut water turned into something much bigger – and tastier. The Wild Blossom story began back in 2017 when Arizona native and coconut water enthusiast Anthony Cogdell had a lightbulb moment: what if he used the desert’s natural bounty to craft a refreshing drink?
Inspired by his childhood experiences with the Boy Scouts and a memorable encounter with the Navajo tribe, he recalled learning about the prickly pear cactus and its powerful health benefits. That memory stuck with him and became the foundation for his first beverage venture.
Cogdell started sourcing local prickly pear and spent countless hours developing a cactus water recipe. By 2018, Wild Blossom – Wildcrafted Prickly Pear Cactus Water hit the shelves in sleek glass bottles. The product made its way into a few local stores, but challenges such as a short shelf life and a lack of distribution experience brought the first chapter to a close. But this wasn’t the end – far from it, in fact.
One ingredient in the cactus water, blue agave nectar, opened a new door. Bottling it under a fresh name, Dulce Azul, Cogdell submitted the product to distributors, and that changed everything. Within months, he secured a major national distributor and expanded his business. That venture was acquired by a larger company in 2022.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Cogdell launched a new company, The Wildcraft Company, Inc., in 2023. While digging through old notes, he stumbled upon his original cactus water recipe. This time, instead of relaunching the same product, he decided to innovate.
The result? Wild Blossom Prickly Pear Lemonade™, a fresh twist on his original idea. After a year of experimenting with fruits, vegetables, and spices, he crafted a unique lineup of mocktails with a boost from organic ingredients.
Wild Blossom sold over 50,000 bottles of lemonade in just a few months through local farmers markets. The brand also secured over 100 retail accounts across Arizona, including at more than 15 ACE Hardware stores. By 2024 a regional distribution deal with US Foods was secured, setting the stage for statewide expansion.
Along with prickly pear, Wildcraft also offers an apple ginger mojito and cinnamon vanilla Shirley Temple flavor – and, if you’re looking for an actual cocktail, the website boasts a couple of recipes for people to try.
Wildcraft isn’t just about drinks – it’s about a journey, a passion for health, and a deep respect for the natural resources of the Southwest. Learn more about Wildcraft at thewildcraftco.com.
