Recess
Recess is a New York-based functional beverage company founded in 2017 that sells relaxation drinks — magnesium and adaptogen sparkling waters, alcohol-free mocktails, and mood powders — direct-to-consumer, on Amazon, and in 15,000+ stores including Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Recess does
Recess (legal entity Drink Recess Inc.) is a New York-based consumer wellness company founded in 2017 that develops and markets functional beverages designed to promote relaxation and mental balance without alcohol or drowsiness. The company's core product lines center on three formats: Recess Mood, a sparkling water infused with magnesium L-Threonate (the patented Magtein ingredient, exclusively distributed by AIDP), L-theanine, lemon balm, and American ginseng; Recess Zero Proof, a line of alcohol-free craft mocktails replicating classic cocktail profiles; and the original Recess sparkling water with hemp and adaptogens. A fourth format, Recess Mood Powder, extends the brand into 3-in-1 stick packs and tubs combining magnesium, adaptogens, and electrolytes. The portfolio is offered across approximately 10+ flavor SKUs per line, plus curated sampler bundles, with pricing set at roughly $37.99–$39.99 per 12-pack (~$3.33–$3.74 per can).
Recess firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Recess
- Legal name
- Drink Recess Inc.
- Website
- https://takearecess.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Recess is a New York-based functional beverage company founded in 2017 that sells relaxation drinks — magnesium and adaptogen sparkling waters, alcohol-free mocktails, and mood powders — direct-to-consumer, on Amazon, and in 15,000+ stores including Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Recess industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Functional Relaxation Beverages
- NAICS
- Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080), Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Functional Beverages (Vitamins, Probiotics, Nootropics, etc.) (CRADAHAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cocktail Mixes & Alcoholic Beverage Bases (non-alcoholic mixers, RTD spirit bases) (AFAFAGAH), Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks (Juice Drinks, Lemonades, Fruit Drinks) (CRADAHAB)
Keywords
Where Recess is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Recess business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Recess sells its full product range (Recess Mood sparkling water, Recess sparkling water with hemp, Recess Zero Proof mocktails, and Recess Mood Powders) directly through takearecess.com, offering both one-time purchases and subscribe-and-save subscription options. Subscription model generates recurring revenue with a per-can price of $3.33 vs $3.74 for single purchase, incentivizing recurring engagement.
- Retail Distribution: Recess generates revenue through wholesale distribution to major retail chains including Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, and other stores, representing over 15,000 retail locations. This channel serves the broader consumer market beyond direct website buyers.
- Amazon Marketplace: Products are sold through Amazon with promotions such as up to 30% off during Prime Day events, serving customers who prefer marketplace shopping over direct website purchases.
- Equity Financing (SEC Form D): The company has raised capital through equity financing rounds, including a $24.97 million Form D offering (with $24.71 million already sold) and a $30 million Series B round led by CAVU Consumer Partners in October 2025.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Recess Mood 12-pack subscription (Subscribe & Save) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Recess Mood 12-pack single purchase |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Greatest Hits Sampler 8-pack single purchase |
| Subscription | Monthly | Mood Powder stick packs (6ct, 15ct samplers) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Mood Powder tubs (30-day supply) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Recess product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Recess manufactures and sells functional relaxation beverages designed to help consumers unwind without alcohol or drowsiness. Its core offerings include Recess Mood sparkling water (infused with magnesium L-threonate, L-theanine, lemon balm, and American ginseng), Recess Zero Proof alcohol-free craft mocktails, original Recess hemp and adaptogen sparkling water, and Recess Mood Powder stick packs and tubs. Products are sold via direct-to-consumer e-commerce, Amazon, and over 15,000 retail stores nationwide.
Product overview
Recess is a relaxation beverage company offering a multi-product portfolio centered on functional drinks designed to help consumers feel calm and balanced. The core offerings consist of three main product lines: (1) Recess Mood - sparkling water infused with magnesium and adaptogens (L-theanine, lemon balm); (2) Recess Zero Proof - alcohol-free craft mocktails replicating classic cocktail flavors; and (3) Recess (original) - sparkling water infused with hemp and adaptogens. Additionally, Recess Mood Powder provides a 3-in-1 powder blend (magnesium, adaptogens, electrolytes) in stick pack and tub formats. The company operates as a direct-to-consumer brand with retail distribution at Target, Kroger, Whole Foods, and Amazon, having raised $30 million in Series B funding in October 2025.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Recess Mood: Magnesium and adaptogen-infused sparkling water beverages designed to help consumers unwind, available in multiple flavors including pink lemonade, strawberry rose, raspberry lemon, orange vanilla, tropical bliss, lime citrus, grapefruit tangerine, peach ginger, blood orange, and black cherry.
- Recess Zero Proof
- Recess Mood Powder
- Recess (Original)
Products and services
- Recess Mood Sparkling Water Sparkling water infused with magnesium L-threonate and adaptogens (L-theanine, lemon balm, American ginseng) designed to help consumers unwind and achieve a calm, balanced state without drowsiness. Available in multiple fruit flavors including pink lemonade, strawberry rose, raspberry lemon, orange vanilla, tropical bliss, lime citrus, grapefruit tangerine, peach ginger, blood orange, and black cherry, sold in 12-packs and curated sampler bundles.
- Recess Zero Proof Craft Mocktails Alcohol-free craft mocktails replicating classic cocktail flavors including margarita, cosmopolitan, mule, paloma, mojito, and spritz variants. Designed for consumers seeking the taste and ritual of cocktails without alcohol, hangovers, or health guilt, for sober-curious social occasions and alcohol-free happy hour moments.
- Recess Original Sparkling Water The original Recess sparkling water infused with hemp and adaptogens for calm and clarity, offering a different ingredient profile from the Mood line. Available in flavors including blackberry chai, black cherry, and pomegranate hibiscus.
- Recess Mood Powder 3-in-1 powder blend combining magnesium, adaptogens, and electrolytes in stick pack and tub formats for on-the-go convenience, allowing consumers to add calm to any beverage. Available in gradient berry, lemon citrus, and unflavored variants, with 6-count and 15-count stick pack samplers and 30-day supply tubs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 15,000 retail store locations including Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Recess
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Recess technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Recess partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- TargetcoreTarget is a major national retail partner for Recess, providing shelf placement in stores across the United States. Recess products are available in Target alongside other functional and better-for-you beverages.
- KrogercoreKroger is a major grocery retail partner distributing Recess products to mainstream grocery shoppers seeking functional wellness beverages. Kroger's broad geographic footprint helps Recess reach consumers nationwide.
- Whole Foods MarketcoreWhole Foods Market serves as a premium natural and organic retail partner for Recess, aligning with the brand's wellness-focused positioning. Whole Foods' health-conscious consumer demographic matches Recess's target market.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Recess competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kin Euphorics: Kin Euphorics is a direct competitor in the functional mood/relaxation beverage space, offering non-alcoholic drinks with adaptogens and nootropics designed to help consumers relax and feel balanced - a near-identical value proposition to Recess Mood.
- De Soi: De Soi produces non-alcoholic sparkling aperitifs and mocktails with adaptogens like reishi and lion's mane, directly competing with Recess Zero Proof for sober-curious consumers seeking ritualistic alcohol alternatives.
- Three Spirit: Three Spirit makes functional non-alcoholic drinks with botanical blends targeting relaxation and mood, frequently cited alongside Recess in the emerging functional beverage space with similar D2C and retail strategies.
- Ghia: Ghia is a non-alcoholic aperitif brand with adaptogens and botanicals, competing in the same mindful drinking and functional relaxation occasion that Recess Zero Proof and Mood products address.
- Aplós: Aplós offers non-alcoholic hemp-infused spirits alternatives for the sober curious, a closely adjacent space to Recess's Zero Proof mocktails and original hemp sparkling water line.
- Mingle Mocktails: Mingle Mocktails produces ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails in flavors like margarita, mojito, and Moscow mule - directly mirroring the format and flavor profile of Recess Zero Proof.
- Olipop: Olipop is a better-for-you functional soda brand with retail distribution in Target, Whole Foods, and Kroger, sharing Recess's retail partners, better-for-you positioning, and CPG growth trajectory (acquired by Pepsi).
- Drink Poppi: Poppi is a better-for-you prebiotic soda brand recently acquired by Pepsi, sharing Recess's Target/Kroger/Whole Foods retail presence, D2C subscription model, and strategic exit pathway referenced in Recess's own positioning.
Emerging players
- Hiyo: Hiyo is a functional sparkling water brand with adaptogens and nootropics for stress and mood support, positioned as a direct emerging competitor in the relaxation beverage category Recess pioneered.
Broad incumbents
- Athletic Brewing: Athletic Brewing is the category-leading non-alcoholic beer brand with major retail distribution, demonstrating the scale potential of the mindful drinking movement that Recess Zero Proof targets with a different format.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Recess social profiles
Digital presenceRecess financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Recess leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Recess funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors12 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Recess 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 Recess
What does Recess do?
Recess manufactures and sells functional relaxation beverages designed to help consumers unwind without alcohol or drowsiness. Its core offerings include Recess Mood sparkling water (infused with magnesium L-threonate, L-theanine, lemon balm, and American ginseng), Recess Zero Proof alcohol-free craft mocktails, original Recess hemp and adaptogen sparkling water, and Recess Mood Powder stick packs and tubs. Products are sold via direct-to-consumer e-commerce, Amazon, and over 15,000 retail stores nationwide.
Is Recess a public or private company?
Recess is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Recess founded?
Recess was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Recess based?
Recess is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Recess make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce is the primary driver. The others are retail Distribution, amazon Marketplace and equity Financing (SEC Form D).
Who are Recess's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kin Euphorics, De Soi, Three Spirit, Ghia, Aplós, Mingle Mocktails, Olipop and Drink Poppi. Hiyo is listed as an emerging player. Athletic Brewing is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Recess have an API?
No public API is recorded for Recess.
What industry is Recess in?
Recess's product category is Functional Relaxation Beverages. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAHAL, Functional Beverages (Vitamins, Probiotics, Nootropics, etc.), with a secondary code of AFAFAGAH, Cocktail Mixes & Alcoholic Beverage Bases (non-alcoholic mixers, RTD spirit bases). Its NAICS code is 312111 and its SIC code is 2080.