The ALKAA Team:

ALKAA is a patented, in-glass sachet designed to reduce certain trace compounds found in alcoholic beverages — before you sip.

Curious how it works and why we built it? Watch the video to meet the founders.

Why We Built ALKAA:

Paul Lagerstedt, founder and inventor of ALKAA, smiling outside at Inness Restaurant and Hotel in the evening.

Meet Paul:

Long story short: I love fixing things and solving problems. That started early, growing up in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. I worked for my family’s trucking company as a diesel mechanic, where I learned the discipline of diagnosing problems, testing solutions, and getting details right. That mindset shaped everything I’ve built since.

I’m not a heavy drinker, but I began noticing that certain drinks didn’t sit well with me. Instead of shrugging it off, I got curious: what’s actually in alcoholic beverages beyond ethanol, and why do some people react differently?

In 2021, as Sara and I moved across the country to New York, I started researching the trace compounds that can be present in wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails — and what could be done to reduce exposure to some of them before you drink. That work led to ALKAA: a patented, in-glass sachet designed to reduce certain trace compounds in alcoholic beverages without adding anything to you. (ALKAA treats the drink — not the body. Nothing is ingested.)

We built ALKAA through iterative development, structured testing, and real-world feedback. If you have questions, concerns, or just want to share your experience, reach out anytime — Sara and I read the messages and we’re here to help.

Sara Lagerstedt, cofounder of ALKAA, laughing in front of a mural.

Meet Sara:

I’m Sara — Co-Founder of ALKAA, and the operator behind the scenes. I lead customer experience, day-to-day operations, and the details that turn a great invention into a consistent, premium product people can rely on.

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and have always loved work that’s equal parts creative and practical. For years, I made bespoke quilts and taught reading to children and adults — experiences that trained me to listen closely, communicate clearly, and take pride in doing things the right way.

Before ALKAA, I also worked in direct sales and learned what matters most in a consumer brand: service, trust, and a product that earns repeat customers. Today, I’m full-time at ALKAA HQ in New York’s Hudson Valley, building systems that keep our standards high and our customers supported.

Paul and I have been a team for 30 years — and now we get to raise ALKAA together.

ALKAA: Built on Clarity, Testing, and Trust

  • EXPERTISE:

    ALKAA was built through years of focused research, development, and real-world feedback to address a common problem: some people are sensitive to certain trace compounds that can be present in alcoholic beverages. We designed a simple tool that treats the drink before you sip — helping people enjoy their night with more confidence.

  • AUTHORITY:

    ALKAA is protected by a U.S. patent and represents a new, premium category: in-glass drink treatment. We invest in structured testing and publish clear education so customers can understand what ALKAA does — and what it doesn’t do. Our goal is to earn trust through accuracy and transparency, not hype.

  • EXPERIENCE:

    We built ALKAA through iterative prototyping, controlled testing, and extensive real-world use across wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails. The product is designed to reduce certain trace compounds in the beverage — without changing alcohol content and without adding anything to you. (ALKAA treats the drink, not the body. Nothing is ingested.)

  • TRUST:

    Transparency and integrity guide everything we do. We share educational resources, support our claims with testing, and stay reachable — because trust is built one conversation at a time. If you have questions, we’ll give you straight answers and point you to the most reliable information we have.