“If life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” is a phrase that encourages us to look on the bright side of situations. In the case of Derek and Casey Eisenberger, a successful cupcake truck led to the creation of another business, a lemonade boat.
Derek Eisenberger felt a boat rather than a truck better suited OBX Lemonade.
Yes, you read that right. The OBX Lemonade boat has been cruising around Lancaster this summer, dispensing the tasty drink that definitely hits the spot on a hot summer’s day.
Before we get to the boat, we need to turn the calendar back to 2016, when Casey decided to turn her baking hobby into a business, Cupcakes by Casey. The cupcakes, which are made from scratch and utilize high-quality ingredients, were so well received that she introduced a food truck in 2021. A year later, the two took what she describes on her website as “a leap of faith” and made the decision that they would both devote their full attention to the business. Demand for the cupcakes resulted in the addition of another truck in 2023. Growth also saw more products added, including custom cakes and lemonade.
The deep-fried cupcake is a signature Cupcakes by Casey product. Facebook photo
Lemonade? While attending a concert on a blistering hot evening at New Holland Memorial Park, I decided to buy some water. That’s when I noticed a boat emblazoned with “OBX Lemonade.” No, it wasn’t a mirage. It was a boat, complete with a pirate flag flapping in the breeze.
Lemons and strawberry combine to create the Duck flavor.
It just so happens that the Outer Banks is one of my favorite places on Earth, so I decided to check it out. Besides, that, I love lemonade! I ordered the “Duck” (think strawberry lemonade) and was immediately transported to the beach. It was delish! “People like to talk about the Outer Banks while they wait for their order,” Derek said of the North Carolina vacation destination. The selections – all named after OBX beach towns – also include Corolla (your basic lemonade), Kitty Hawk (think Pina Colada), Nags Head (strawberry lemonade with a pineapple twist) and Avon (white peach lemonade). The most popular flavor is The OBX (lemonade with a mix of blue raspberry and pineapple). No doubt they will come up with flavors for Rodanthe, Hatteras and Ocracoke. Derek proudly reports that the lemonade is almost like grandmas, as it’s simply made with water, sugar and lemons. It’s the fruit purees that take the lemonade to the next level.
Why OBX? Derek explained that he and Casey have friends who have a house on the Outer Banks, and it’s become one of their favorite getaways. “We love it down there!” he said as he made my order.
A boat? Derek explained that a truck just didn’t supply the right vibe for something named after the beach. Then, the idea of a boat struck. He found a 50-year-old boat that had seen better days and spent a year restoring it and retrofitting it for his lemonade-making setup. The boat was officially launched earlier this summer and has since cruised into ports of call such as Long’s Park, New Holland Memorial Park, Ewell Plaza, East Petersburg Community Park, Greenfield Corporate Center, Fashion Cents in Strasburg, Hershey, food truck festivals and a National Night Out event. Ah, but Derek has his eye on a destination that he feels will be perfect for the venture. “Next year, we hope to expand to the Outer Banks,” he reported. (They need to do some kind of partnership project with Duck Donuts!)
In the meantime, bottled OBX Lemonade has made landfall in places like Zag’s Pizza in Lancaster, Piper Belles BBQ in Mountville, and Robino’s in Strasburg. Food trucks such as Robino’s 717 and Old Road Pretzels are stocking it, as well.
As for Cupcakes by Casey, the offerings earned Best Dessert honors at the Lancaster’s Best Food Truck competition that was held at Root’s Country Market in June.
Just an FYI: National Lemonade Day is August 20.
OBX Lemonade: Facebook.com
Cupcakes by Casey: Cupcakesbycaseyofpa.com
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