Liquid Death
Liquid Death is a privately held non-alcoholic beverage company selling still and sparkling mountain water, flavored sparkling water, iced tea, and energy drinks in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, primarily targeting health-conscious Gen Z and millennial consumers through major US retailers and select international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSanta Monica, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Liquid Death does
Liquid Death is a privately held, direct-to-consumer and retail-led non-alcoholic beverage company headquartered in Los Angeles and operating across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, and France. The company sells premium still and sparkling mountain water, flavored sparkling water (including soda-style SKUs marketed as 90 percent lower in sugar than leading sodas), iced tea (75 percent less sugar than leading iced teas), and a recently launched Sparkling Energy line. All beverages are packaged in 12 oz and 19.2 oz infinitely recyclable aluminum cans featuring an ultra-thin FDA-approved food-grade polymer liner, which the company markets as using 90 times less plastic than plastic bottles and 10 times less than glass bottle caps. The Sparkling Energy line was co-formulated with board-certified surgeon Dr. Darshan Shah and contains 100 mg naturally sourced caffeine, zero sugar, 5 calories, and added B12, C, magnesium, and L-Theanine.
The business generates revenue through three primary streams: core beverage sales across direct e-commerce, Amazon (including a Subscribe and Save subscription option), and a large physical retailer footprint including Walmart, Target, Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and thousands of convenience store doors; secondary revenue from a branded merchandise line (priced from $9 can coolers up to a $6,200 Death Dispenser vending machine); and revenue from limited-edition brand collaborations and licensing (examples include the $495 Spotify Eternal Playlist Urn, $285 Burton Deathtrap Snowboard, $74.99 WhistlePig GraveStock Whiskey, and e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Embalms). Pricing is unit-based at the consumer level, with no large enterprise contracts; the largest channel exposures are the retailer relationships through which placement and shelf placement fees are negotiated. Marketing relies on an in-house creative production arm called Death Machine, organic social content (7 million Instagram and 7.2 million TikTok followers), Super Bowl advertising in 2025 and 2026, and high-profile sports and entertainment partnerships including the Philadelphia Eagles, NASCAR, LAFC, Brooklyn FC, and Madison Square Garden venues.
Liquid Death is venture-backed with approximately $267.6 million in total funding raised, including a $1.4 billion valuation round in 2024 and an additional $67 million raise in 2025. Revenue reached $240 million in 2024, with management projecting $340 million for 2025 (approximately 40 percent year-over-year growth). The company employs 251 to 500 staff, is led by founder and CEO Mike Cessario, and is reportedly planning an initial public offering in early 2026 while simultaneously raising up to $20 million of additional capital to expand production capacity and distribution.
Liquid Death firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Liquid Death
- Legal name
- Supplying Demand, Inc dba Liquid Death
- Website
- https://liquiddeath.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Liquid Death is a privately held non-alcoholic beverage company selling still and sparkling mountain water, flavored sparkling water, iced tea, and energy drinks in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, primarily targeting health-conscious Gen Z and millennial consumers through major US retailers and select international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Liquid Death industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Bottled Water and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
- NAICS
- Bottled Water Manufacturing (312112), Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)
- SIC
- Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086), Metal Cans (3411), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bottled Water (Still, Sparkling, Enhanced) (CRADAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks (Juice Drinks, Lemonades, Fruit Drinks) (CRADAHAB), Functional Beverages (Vitamins, Probiotics, Nootropics, etc.) (CRADAHAL), Sparkling/Carbonated Bottled Water Production (AFAFACAE), Beverage Cans (Aluminum & Steel) (IMALADAA)
Keywords
Where Liquid Death is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Monica
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Liquid Death business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Beverage Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling mountain water, flavored sparkling water, iced tea, and sparkling energy drinks through retail stores, e-commerce, and subscriptions on Amazon. Revenue reached $240 million in 2024 with 40% growth projected for 2025 to $340 million.
- Merchandise: Secondary revenue stream from branded merchandise including apparel, drinkware, accessories, and limited-edition collaboration products sold through liquiddeath.com. Products range from $9 can coolers to $6,200 vending machines.
- Brand Collaborations and Licensing: Revenue generated through brand partnerships, limited-edition collaborations, and licensing deals including products with Spotify, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Pop-Tarts, and other brands. Includes sponsorships with sports teams and events.
- Subscription/Retail Placement: Amazon Subscribe & Save option offering 5% or more savings per case with free shipping. Retail placement fees from major retailers including Walmart, Target, Kroger, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sparkling Energy 12-pack |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise items |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Taylor Morrison Sweepstakes Entry |
| Subscription | Monthly | Amazon Subscribe & Save |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels10 records
Liquid Death product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Liquid Death manufactures and sells non-alcoholic beverages packaged in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans across four core lines: still and sparkling mountain water, soda-flavored sparkling water, lower-sugar iced tea, and a zero-sugar Sparkling Energy line. The company also sells branded merchandise and limited-edition collaboration products through its direct-to-consumer website and major retail partners.
Product overview
Liquid Death is a better-for-you beverage company that positions itself as 'an entertainment company that monetizes via beverage.' The product portfolio centers on four core beverage lines: Sparkling Energy (zero-sugar energy drinks with 100mg caffeine and L-Theanine), Mountain Water (still and sparkling premium water sourced from American mountain ranges), Soda-Flavored Sparkling Water (soda-style beverages with 90% less sugar than traditional sodas), and Iced Tea (sweetened and unsweetened variants with B vitamins and 75% less sugar than leading iced teas). All beverages come in 12oz or 19.2oz infinitely recyclable aluminum cans with the brand's signature skull-themed death metal aesthetic. Beyond beverages, Liquid Death operates a substantial merchandise division offering branded apparel, drinkware, accessories, and limited-edition collaboration products. The company maintains a Skulls loyalty rewards program and sells products through both direct-to-consumer ecommerce and major retail partners including Walmart, Target, Amazon, Kroger, and Albertsons.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sparkling Energy: Energy drink line launched December 2025 with 100mg caffeine, zero sugar, 5 calories per can. Flavors include Murder Mystery, Scary Strawberry, Tropical Terror, and Orange Horror.
- Soda-Flavored Sparkling Water
- Iced Tea
- Mountain Water
- Skulls (Rewards Program)
Products and services
- Sparkling Energy Zero-sugar energy drink with 100mg naturally sourced caffeine, 5 calories, and added vitamins B12, C, magnesium, and L-Theanine; positioned as a better-for-you energy drink with lower caffeine than competitors (150-200mg), sold to adult consumers seeking alternatives to traditional high-caffeine energy drinks.
- Mountain Water (Still and Sparkling) Premium still and sparkling mountain water sourced from American mountain ranges, packaged in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, zero calories, for consumers seeking a distinctive alternative to traditional bottled water.
- Soda-Flavored Sparkling Water
Quantifiable outcome
- Sparkling Energy achieved top 20 brand market share on Amazon within first week of launch
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Liquid Death
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Liquid Death technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature2 records
Liquid Death partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
34 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- FeastablescoreCollaboration on Peanut Butter Cup Sparkling Water appearing on retailer websites ahead of planned Halloween 2026 launch. Product available in 19.2oz tallboy cans and six-packs of 12oz cans featuring natural flavoring referencing candy-inspired flavor profile.
- Pop-TartscoreLimited-edition collaboration product called Pop-Tarts Carnage, an iced tea drink tasting like Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts, packaged in Liquid Death's signature death metal can. In-house ad campaign by Death Machine depicted chaotic neighborhood destruction. Continues both brands' strategies of offbeat marketing partnerships.
- IbottacoreIbotta's LiveLift technology demonstrated a 19% sales lift for Liquid Death's product launch. Ibotta's closed-loop digital promotions network connects brands to over 200 million consumers through partnerships with retailers including Walmart, Kroger, Instacart, and DoorDash. LiveLift helps measure ROI of in-store promotions and optimization.
- Taylor MorrisonflagshipSweepstakes partnership where one winner receives a new Taylor Morrison home with custom plumbing delivering Liquid Death soda-flavored sparkling water from every fixture. Entries earned through purchasing Liquid Death products or scanning QR codes at Taylor Morrison communities across the US. Campaign generated over 3,500 leads in first 24 hours. Valued at approximately $355,000.
- SpotifyflagshipLaunch of Eternal Playlist Urn, a $495 Bluetooth-enabled cremation urn with built-in speaker that plays music playlists. Limited to 150 units in the US. Also includes Spotify's Eternal Playlist Generator creating personalized afterlife soundtracks based on listening history. Marks Liquid Death's expansion to global-brand partnerships.
- BMO StadiumcoreLAFC home stadium where Liquid Death products are available throughout venue during all home matches and select stadium events as part of the LAFC partnership.
- LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club)corePartnership making Liquid Death the official flavored sparkling water partner of the MLS club. Includes product placements at BMO Stadium throughout all home matches and select events, refrigeration units, concourse signage, LED boards, and digital content. Both brands cited shared origins of building passionate fan bases through unconventional marketing as foundation for collaboration. Shared commitment to reducing single-use plastic consumption through community-focused initiatives.
- e.l.f. CosmeticscoreSecond limited-edition collaboration launching 'Lip Embalms' product line featuring flavored lip balms packaged in miniature Liquid Death beverage cans. Inspired by flavors including Severed Lime, Killer Cola, and Doctor Death. Available on elfcosmetics.com and TikTok Shop. Previous 2024 Corpse Paint collaboration sold out in 45 minutes. Includes Roblox gaming experience portal.
- 19 CrimesminorLimited-edition red wine named Severed Red in partnership with Liquid Death, featuring augmented reality experience and mascot called Murder Man. Includes a drop of Liquid Death Mountain Water. Available in California with national retail distribution starting January 2026.
- The Running Man (Film)minorLiquid Death served as official beverage sponsor of the film 'The Running Man', creating an in-universe commercial promoting Liquid Death using a character from the film.
- Bar & Restaurant Expo 2026minorMike Cessario, founder and CEO, announced as keynote speaker at the expo's 40th anniversary event in Las Vegas.
- Ibotta Performance NetworkcoreIbotta's closed-loop digital promotions network for CPG brands demonstrating Liquid Death's 19% sales lift. Includes partnerships with Walmart, Kroger, Instacart, and DoorDash for campaign measurement.
- Post (Fruity Pebbles)coreLimited-edition Cereal Criminal flavored sparkling water collaboration offering nostalgic taste of Fruity Pebbles cereal in low-sugar beverage.
- Dr. Darshan ShahcoreLongevity and wellness specialist co-formulated Sparkling Energy line with 100mg caffeine, zero sugar, vitamins, and L-Theanine. Supports launch campaign targeting energy drink category.
- WhistlePig WhiskeycoreCollaboration on GraveStock Wheat Whiskey, a limited-edition whiskey aged in caskets and infused with Liquid Death Mountain Water. Available nationally at retail price of $74.99.
- Philadelphia EaglescoreMultiyear deal making Liquid Death the official iced tea partner of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Partnership targets Gen Z and millennial consumers in priority market. Includes product placement at stadium events.
- NASCARcoreOfficial energy drink sponsor with merchandise collaborations including Liquid Death x NASCAR Death Driver Jacket at $149.99. NASCAR-themed products and apparel.
- Brooklyn FCminorPartnership with emerging soccer club as part of sports marketing expansion targeting Gen Z and millennial consumers.
- Madison Square Garden venuesminorPartnership with MSG portfolio of venues for product placement and brand visibility at major entertainment venues.
- Martha StewartcoreLimited-edition 'Dismembered Moments' life-sized severed hand candle collaboration. Referenced in press as successful brand partnership example.
- 5 GyrescoreLiquid Death donates a portion of proceeds to 5 Gyres, a nonprofit organization that uses science, education and adventure to empower action against global plastic pollution.
- MetallicacoreLiquid Death x Metallica Tour Sweatshirt collaboration at $40-$59. Part of music industry merchandise partnerships.
- PlungeminorFreeze To Death Cold Plunge collaboration at $5,990. Strategic partner for cold plunge products.
- Ozzy OsbournecoreInfinitely Recyclable Ozzy DNA collaboration at $450. Marketing stunt selling Ozzy's actual DNA for perpetual recycling theme.
- Travis BarkerminorEnema of the State Collectible Kit at $182. Celebrity partnership for edgy limited-edition product.
- Tom SeguraminorTom Segura's Recycling Glory Hole collaboration. Comedy-focused partnership.
- Spinal TapminorLiquid Death x Spinal Tap 11-Pack collaboration at $1,100 with autographs.
- Dr. SquatchminorLiquid Death x Dr. Squatch Soap Bundle collaboration. Health and wellness brand crossover.
- Pit ViperminorSunglasses for Dead People collaboration. Brand crossover with lifestyle accessories.
- Bad BirdieminorLiquid Death x Bad Birdie Edition Uroclub at $39.99. Golf accessories collaboration.
- BurtoncoreBurton Deathtrap Snowboard collaboration at $285. Snowboarding lifestyle partnership.
- Van Leeuwen Ice CreamminorHot Fudge Sundae Sparkling Water collaboration. Food and beverage crossover product.
- Kylie KelceminorKegs for Pregs limited-edition 5-liter mini kegs collaboration. Family/kifestyle partnership.
- Wiz KhalifaminorCelebrity ambassador partnership. Artist featured drinking Liquid Death in promotional content.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Liquid Death competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Olipop: Better-for-you soda brand using influencer-led marketing, DTC and retail expansion. Directly comparable as a venture-backed, brand-first challenger in the flavored sparkling/functional beverage category targeting Gen Z and millennials.
- Poppi: Prebiotic soda brand with strong social media presence and retail expansion into Target, Walmart and Whole Foods. Closely comparable D2C-to-retail beverage challenger with a differentiated functional health positioning.
- Celsius: Better-for-you energy drink with 100-200mg caffeine and fitness-oriented branding now distributed nationally at retailers and convenience. Direct competitor to Liquid Death's Sparkling Energy line in positioning, channels and target consumer.
- Athletic Brewing Company: Non-alcoholic craft beer brand that built a cultural movement around an active lifestyle and now sits on shelves nationwide. Comparable as a venture-backed, mission-driven beverage brand that uses lifestyle/sports marketing to win share from incumbents.
- Spindrift: Sparkling water brand positioned on 'real squeezed fruit' ingredients, sold in mainstream grocery. Closely comparable in better-for-you, aluminum-can-aligned flavored sparkling water positioning and US retail footprint.
Emerging players
- Alani Nu: Better-for-you energy drink with strong female-skewing social media following and rapid retail expansion. Competes head-on with Liquid Death's Sparkling Energy on positioning, channels and target demographic.
- Health-Ade Kombucha: Better-for-you fermented beverage brand with strong DTC and Whole Foods presence. Notably the prior employer of Liquid Death's CFO and a useful comparable on capital-efficient CPG scaling and premium positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Red Bull: Global energy drink leader with dominant share, extensive athlete and motorsport sponsorship portfolio. Indirect incumbent in the energy category Liquid Death is entering with Sparkling Energy.
- Monster Energy: Large-scale energy drink incumbent with established DSD network, motorsports/NASCAR sponsorships and broad shelf presence. Comparable incumbent in the energy category Liquid Death is now competing in.
- LaCroix: Leading mainstream sparkling water brand with broad grocery and convenience distribution. Comparable incumbent in the flavored sparkling water category where Liquid Death's soda-flavored line competes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights8 records
Customer concentration
Liquid Death social profiles
Digital presenceLiquid Death compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Liquid Death financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Liquid Death leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Liquid Death funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors22 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Liquid Death M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Liquid Death
What does Liquid Death do?
Liquid Death manufactures and sells non-alcoholic beverages packaged in infinitely recyclable aluminum cans across four core lines: still and sparkling mountain water, soda-flavored sparkling water, lower-sugar iced tea, and a zero-sugar Sparkling Energy line. The company also sells branded merchandise and limited-edition collaboration products through its direct-to-consumer website and major retail partners.
Is Liquid Death a public or private company?
Liquid Death is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Liquid Death founded?
Liquid Death was founded in 2017. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Liquid Death based?
Liquid Death is headquartered in Santa Monica, United States, in the North America region.
How does Liquid Death make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Beverage Sales are the primary driver. The others are merchandise, brand Collaborations and Licensing and subscription/Retail Placement.
Who are Liquid Death's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Olipop, Poppi, Celsius, Athletic Brewing Company and Spindrift. Emerging players are Alani Nu and Health-Ade Kombucha. Broad incumbents are Red Bull, Monster Energy and LaCroix.
Does Liquid Death have an API?
No public API is recorded for Liquid Death.
What industry is Liquid Death in?
Liquid Death's product category is Bottled Water and Non-Alcoholic Beverages. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAHAC, Bottled Water (Still, Sparkling, Enhanced), with a secondary code of CRADAHAB, Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks (Juice Drinks, Lemonades, Fruit Drinks). Its NAICS code is 312112 and its SIC code is 2086.