Miami native Escalera, who has spent more than a decade in brand marketing (and a lifetime in snack devotion), has officially gone from reviewing chips, cookies, and exotic candies on his popular Instagram and TikTok accounts to launching his own snack brand. Introducing Moo'd Up, his high-protein, low-sugar chocolate milk mix that's here to make the powdered stuff most Miamians grew up with look like, well...a relic.
@snackeatingsnacks BUILDING A BRAND: EPISODE 5 Now that the chocolate milk mix is developed, it’s time to pick a name and design the brand. Well, it took a while but now we have it…. Introducing @Moo’d Up Milk 🍫🥛 Launch day is almost here but quantities will be limited so if you want, sign up now for Early Access at MoodUpMilk.com. Continue to follow @moodupmilk for the latest updates on this food adventure! #chocolatemilk #buildingabrand #cpg ♬ original sound - SnackEatingSnacks
He Knew a Healthy Snack Would Be His Next Moo-ve
"I've always known I wanted to create my own brand," Escalera tells New Times. "I just wasn't sure when or what it would be." Well, one too many subpar chocolate milks later, he found his calling. "I truly think there's nothing on the market like the chocolate milk mix we've made. Most of what's out there is 90 percent sugar and low-quality cocoa. Even the premium ones are basically the same."Launching soon through moodupmilk.com and TikTok Shop, Moo'd Up is as intentional as it is nostalgic: 10 grams of protein, three grams of sugar, more than 15 vitamins and minerals, and zero dairy, gluten, or filler ingredients. Plus, it's totally customizable — make it hot or cold, with whatever milk you love, and dial up the chocolatey-ness to your mood. "There's no need to stock both chocolate milk and regular milk. You just buy your preferred milk, and anyone in the house can turn it into chocolate milk," he adds.
The Miami native turned his apartment into what he calls a "chocolate factory" to make the product
Screenshot via Instagram/@snackeatingsnackss
He Spent Ten Months Taste Testing
But getting to the point of launch day was no easy task — it took basically gallons of chocolate milk and ten months of taste tests. According to Escalera, he turned his apartment into what he calls "a chocolate factory," buying and taste-testing every mix on the market before experimenting with different protein sources and cocoa powders. The hardest part? Getting cocoa to dissolve without the crutch of sugar or synthetic flavors.Months of trial and error later, the final recipe was born.
"When I started my account, I had no idea where it would lead. Now, my goal is for Moo'd Up to be the future of chocolate milk for the next generation." And yes, he's got big plans beyond kitchen counters. "The Starbucks hot chocolate has 37 grams of sugar and 14 grams of protein. A grande Moo'd Up hot chocolate made with low-fat milk would have six grams of sugar and 36 grams of protein. And honestly, I think Moo'd Up tastes better."
With Moo'd Up, Escalera isn't just launching another protein drink — he's giving your childhood favorite a glow-up you can actually feel good about drinking every day. Moo'd Up will be available to purchase beginning the week of August 11.
