What started as a simple quest by a professional sports trainer to keep his players hydrated has transformed into one of the most exciting health beverage stories in recent years. Coco5, a coconut water-based hydration drink, is now making waves in over 5,000 retail locations across the country—but its journey began in the locker room of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.
The Origins: Mike Gapski’s Search for Better Hydration
In the high-speed, high-stakes world of professional hockey, performance and recovery are everything. And for Mike Gapski, longtime trainer for the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, maintaining his players’ hydration in the later periods of intense games became a mission. He noticed players were hitting a wall, despite using the top hydration products on the market. The conventional sports drinks available—filled with artificial colors, sweeteners, and high-fructose corn syrup—just weren’t cutting it. So, he decided to make something better. Something real.
Coconut water, known for its rich profile of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, became the foundation. What emerged was a beverage that combined hydration, performance support, and most importantly—exceptional taste. Coco5 was born. Gapski’s team took to it instantly. So much so, that despite Gatorade being the Blackhawk’s official sponsor, players were pouring it out and replacing it with Coco5 instead. A 2011 Crain’s Chicago Business article titled “What’s Really in the Gatorade Bottle?” helped expose the secret. Suddenly, Coco5 was on the radar beyond the NHL.
“It was never meant to be marketed,” said Jim Reynolds, Coco5 Majority Owner. “It was authentic. Just something created to help elite athletes achieve optimal performance.” Since its inception, this innovative, higher-quality drink has quietly and steadily shaken up the hydration game across the country.
A Natural Business Partnership
Once Gapski felt the formula was dialed in, he shared it with Scott Sandler, who would eventually become the Co-Founder of Coco5. Sandler was blown away by the drink’s taste and efficacy, and they began testing the product in the local Chicago market around 2011.
That’s when it caught the attention of Jim, a self-proclaimed health nut and investor. He had been drinking coconut water for years, but didn’t enjoy the way any of them tasted. “I put up with the less than appealing flavor for the health benefits,” said Jim. “When I tried Coco5, I couldn’t believe it was coconut water. I knew I wanted to be part of building this brand.”
Jim and Miles Reynolds, Coco5 Managing Partner, began spreading the word. Miles, a standout college athlete, shared this exceptional coconut beverage discovery with his connections in the sports world, including Devin Booker, D’Angelo Russell, Derrick Rose, and Jahlil Okafor. These young stars knew how to identify a winner—and Coco5 had all the right stuff. Soon, even Charles Barkley was jumping on the Coco5 bandwagon.
The response was unanimously positive. With a core team of passionate believers, they bought a majority share of the brand, relocated the business headquarters to Arizona to be closer to Devin Booker—now one of the company’s lead investors and brand ambassadors—and prepared for a major relaunch.
Devin Booker, NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, is an undeniable driving force behind Coco5. Involved in everything from marketing campaigns to packaging redesigns, Booker is committed to being hands-on. “For Booker, it’s not a brand deal. It’s a lifestyle,” Jim said. “His friends and family know how much he believes in it.”
He regularly promotes Coco5 on social media. Instagram videos show Booker and fellow NBA player D’Angelo Russell working out and hydrating with Coco5. In a world where elite athletes are meticulous about what they consume, this endorsement speaks volumes. “Having the ability to endorse your own products, that’s sweat equity,” said Devin. “It’s a passion project for us, and for people to see it on the big stage is important.”
In April 2022, Coco5 made its official debut at 120 Fry’s grocery stores across Arizona. The response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Soon after, Sprouts to the retail mix and expansion accelerated from there. Today, Coco5 is found in thousands of major retailers including Walmart, CVS, Target, and Jewel Osco. But the growth remains intentional. “We choose our partnerships wisely,” stated Miles. “Every relationship we have is strategic, setting the foundation for long-term success.”
The name Coco5 reflects the five key electrolytes the drink delivers: magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus. But what it doesn’t have is what sets Coco5 apart—no GMOs, no artificial dyes, no high-fructose corn syrup, no gluten, and no animal products. Combining coconut water with real fruit juice and a proprietary vitamin blend, each delicious flavor contains just seven ingredients. “At the end of the day, it’s what coconut water wishes it tasted like,” said Tyler Farnsworth, a Coco5 partner.
A Brand That Reflects Its Drinkers
Today’s consumer expects more from their products. The Coco5 team understood that even though water is great, there existed an opportunity to help people hydrate better. In a market saturated with red dye, artificial sugars, and fake health claims, Coco5 became an alternative that offered the simplicity and quality people desired.
While the beverage’s origin and endorsements are rooted in the world of elite sports, its consumer base reaches far beyond. In fact, 70% of Coco5 customers are women—often moms buying healthier options for their families. “You don’t need to be an athlete to reap the benefits of Coco5,” said Jim. “Our target demographic includes anyone looking to make smart choices. They don’t have to know every benefit of coconut water to know it’s better than the sugary, fake alternatives.”
This aligns with the brand’s overarching mantra of “real drinks real.” Coco5 is backed by a team of individuals who make a conscious effort to live right, treat people right, and nourish their bodies right. Those who have invested in and endorsed Coco5 are promoting a way of life as much as they are the product itself. Without a doubt, Devin Booker encapsulates what it means to be honest, authentic, and wellness-focused. It’s why he does such an incredible job of representing the brand.
In today’s world, a beverage isn’t just a beverage—it’s a statement. What you hold in your hand is like an extension of your wardrobe. It tells people who you are and what you care about. Coco5 tells people you value real ingredients, real impact, and real results. At the end of the day, it’s a better-for-you product that’s genuinely bettering society.
Fueling the Fight
Coco5 isn’t just about better hydration; it’s about making a difference. The brand’s charitable component began with an email from a cancer survivor in remission. This individual emailed the Coco5 team, thanking them for a product that helped him stay hydrated during chemotherapy and highlighting that electrolytes are essential for those going through treatments.
That message sparked something and ultimately inspired Jim to reach out to the American Cancer Society. Miles, who has ties to Coaches Versus Cancer through his time at Oklahoma under Coach Krueger, helped forge a deeper bond, allowing the initial connection to evolve into a full-blown partnership. Today, 5 cents of every Coco5 bottle sold goes directly to the American Cancer Society. The initiative supports cancer screenings, awareness campaigns, and programs for underserved communities.
“It’s super important for us to shed light on the impact of cancer. I know a lot of people have to deal with it and it’s a tough thing to handle,” said Devin. “the more money we can raise for awareness, the better.” Coco5 proudly dons the American Cancer Society logo on every bottle and their people show up at events nationwide. “We’re not just cutting checks. We’re in it to make a real impact,” said Jim. “At the same time, I can’t believe it has become such a life changing collaboration.”
A New Standard in Coconut Water
Coco5 comes in six delicious flavors: orange, pineapple, cherry, coconut, passion fruit, and limón. Each one delivers superior hydration without artificial ingredients and with plenty of deliciousness. But it doesn’t stop at taste. Keeping convenience in mind is also a top priority.
A powder version of Coco5 is in the works, aimed initially at the military community for use in commissaries and the field. The stick-pack format will also benefit everyday consumers on the go. “We looked at all the ways people might want to enjoy Coco5,” said Jim. “The current ready-to-drink version is loved, but the powder format gives us versatility.”
Meanwhile, new flavor innovations are already in development, based on direct consumer feedback. Coco5 is a brand that refuses to rest on its laurels and is always paving the way for hydration improvement.
“Every time someone says, ‘I don’t even like coconut water, but I love this,’ I feel a sense of fulfillment in what we’ve been able to accomplish,” said Tyler. In a crowded market of ready-to-drink beverages, Coco5 stands out not just for what it contains, but for what it represents. And as Miles pointed, getting on shelves is hard. Staying there is even harder. Coco5 has proven it has staying power. “I want to continue to grow in all aspects, personally and professionally, beyond the court,” said Devin. “I believe in Coco5 and it’s just one way I’m working to set myself up for life after basketball.”
From its humble beginnings to national retail shelves, Coco5 is more than just another sports drink. It’s a movement that offers better ingredients, better hydration, and better outcomes—for athletes, families, cancer fighters, and anyone seeking something real.
Coco5 is what coconut water wishes it tasted like. And it’s only just getting started.
To learn more about Coco5, click here. And to find where you can purchase one – or all – of the delicious flavors, click here.
Want some refreshingly feel-good news? Fuel the Fight initiative details can be found here.
