Thirsty Thursday – This is Bananas!

We’re back for another episode of Thirsty Thursday, where we gather the crew, pour a mystery beverage into a fresh piece of branded drinkware, and let the fun unfold on camera. If you’ve followed the show, you already know this isn’t just about taste—it’s about team banter, big opinions, and testing out some of the coolest drinkware in the promo world.

This week’s session? Let’s just say it brought the tropics to the table—with a sustainable twist.  Watch the latest episode now!

Now let’s dig into the details of this episode!

The Drinkware: Peak Recycled Insulated Sip Or Swig Mug – 24 oz

Before we even poured the first drop, the team was buzzing about this week’s featured drinkware: the Peak Vacuum Eco-Friendly Sip or Swig Mug (24 oz) from PCNA.

Here’s the thing—when it comes to drinkware on Thirsty Thursday, we’re not just looking for good looks (although this piece definitely has it). We want function, versatility, and let’s be honest—a little bit of “wow” factor. And this mug delivers.

With two drinking options (hello, flexibility), it lets you choose whether to sip like a latte-sipping pro or swig like you’re cooling down after a long hike. It’s insulated, made from 90% recycled stainless steel, and keeps your drink cold (or hot!) for hours. Also—it’s big enough to hold a real pour. None of that polite splash stuff. This is Thirsty Thursday, after all.

Verdict from the team? A full-throated thumbs up. Jade, Kirby, and Briar all gave the mug high marks—and honestly, we might just start keeping a few of these around the office for everyday use. Stylish and sustainable? Yes, please. Find more about this (and many of our recent Thirsty Thursday pieces here).

The Drink: Blue Chair Bay Banana Rum Cream

With a name like “Banana Rum Cream,” you know things are about to get tropical. This week, we cracked open a bottle from Blue Chair Bay, a brand known for beachy vibes and sweet island spirits.

This particular variety leans hard into the banana flavor—and if you’re a fan of creamy drinks that taste like dessert in a glass, this is definitely one to try. It’s smooth, a little decadent, and made us feel like we were sipping something in a hammock (even though we were very much in Coshocton, Ohio).

As always, the reactions were mixed—and that’s half the fun.

  • Kirby’s take? A definite thumbs up. “This tastes like a banana milkshake for grown-ups.”

  • Briar’s take? Also a fan. “I wouldn’t drink this every day, but if you’re sitting by a campfire or hosting a summer party—yeah, I’d have this again.”

  • Jade’s verdict? A maybe. “I don’t hate it, but I wouldn’t seek it out.” (To be fair, Jade is not typically drawn to cream-based or banana-forward drinks, so this wasn’t exactly playing to her strengths.)

That said, the consensus was clear: if you like banana and you like sweet, creamy cocktails, this one is worth a try. Just maybe have a sip before committing to the full swig.

The Combo: Surprisingly Great

Sometimes the magic of Thirsty Thursday is in the pairing. The sleek, insulated mug made even this thick, sweet rum cream feel a bit more elevated. And because it kept the drink cold, the texture and flavor stayed smooth from first sip to last. We’ve had some drinkware that clashes with the beverage. This week? Pure harmony.

Also worth noting: the mug made clean-up simple. We’ve tried a few creamy drinks in past episodes that left a film or were hard to rinse out. This mug handled it like a champ. So if you’re gifting this with a sweet drink—or just want a premium piece for your promo program—this is a win.

Final Thoughts: Sip, Swig, Smile

One of the best parts of Thirsty Thursday is discovering new ways to use branded drinkware in real life—and this week delivered. The Peak Mug is stylish, sustainable, and functional, and the Blue Chair Bay Banana Rum Cream added a little fun and flavor to the mix.

Want to grab this mug—or check out other branded pieces we’ve tested on the show? Visit our Thirsty Thursday shop to browse items we’ve loved, used, and sipped from with questionable beverages.

And don’t forget to watch the full episode to see our candid reactions, the banter, and maybe a surprise or two. We’ll embed the video right here in the blog, so you can sip and scroll with us.

Until next time—cheers to sipping, swigging, and making every Thursday a little more fun.

And as always, if you need help with branded merch, marketing strategy, or creative ideas to grow your brand, let’s talk.  We’d love to help you.  Head here to get the book “Hit The TARGET” for FREE!  This will help you dial in your marketing for better results.

Written by: Kirby Hasseman

Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications. Kirby hosts a weekly Web show called Delivering Marketing Joy where he interviews business leaders from around the country. Kirby has published four books. His most recent is “Fan of Happy.” His book, called "Delivering Marketing Joy" is about doing “promo right” and is perfect for people in the industry and customers. He also wrote “Think Big For Small Business” and “Give Your Way to Success. All are available on Amazon.