Sidekick Soda has captured the attention of Forbes! In an article titled “Sidekick Soda Stands Out As A Fruit-Filled, Earth-Conscious Alternative In An Increasingly-Crowded Soda Market”, journalist Andrew Watman celebrates the innovation, sustainability, and success of our brand. Here’s a closer look at what Forbes had to say about our journey and what makes Sidekick Soda a standout.
𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗱𝗮 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
In a market saturated with sugary sodas and artificial substitutes, Sidekick Soda offers something entirely different. Crafted with fresh fruit purees, organic apple cider vinegar, and premium New Zealand honey, Sidekick reimagines what soda can be—health-conscious, naturally sweetened, and packed with real ingredients.
Forbes praised the simplicity of our approach: “Sidekick Soda is not a copycat—it’s a new, artisanal vision of what soda can be. That’s because of the simple ingredients used to make it: fresh fruit purees, apple cider vinegar, and honey.”
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
At the heart of Sidekick Soda’s story is sustainability. Our cherry flavor, for example, is made using rescued cherries from the New Zealand Cherry Corporation’s Cherry Rescue Project. These cherries, deemed “imperfect” by grocers, are just as delicious as their export-grade counterparts, and our partnership is part of an ambitious goal to eliminate waste in the cherry industry by 2030.
Other flavors, including mango, pear, and strawberry, are sourced with the same level of care. From New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay pears to North Queensland mangoes, every ingredient tells a story of quality and sustainability.
𝗔 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆-𝗟𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵
Sidekick Soda is the brainchild of mother-son duo Fiona Tomlinson and Rogie Tomlinson-Gillies. Fiona’s background as a world-renowned liqueur maker and Rogie’s passion for health and fitness converged to create a soda that’s both delicious and nourishing. As Forbes highlights, this collaboration has resonated with consumers of all ages.
Fiona shared her vision for the brand, saying, “We wanted to make something that was just all the ingredients you would use at home.” The article also notes how their approach to blending generations of expertise mirrors the product’s ability to connect with diverse audiences, from families to health-conscious adults.
𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗢𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮
Since its launch, Sidekick Soda has found remarkable success in the United States. Forbes highlighted our partnerships with premier retailers like Erewhon, which has stringent standards for the products it stocks. It also noted our growing presence at Pop-Up Grocer in New York City, where Sidekick outperformed expectations during its trial run.
The article emphasizes the value American consumers place on natural sweeteners like honey and Sidekick’s clean-label approach. As Fiona noted, “The U.S. understands soda. Americans are the absolute experts on carbonated beverages.”
𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
Our transition from glass bottles to cans—a move aimed at reducing freight costs and environmental impact—was also highlighted. Forbes applauded this decision as a reflection of our forward-thinking approach to sustainability and efficiency.
While challenges like shipping costs from New Zealand persist, Sidekick Soda is exploring innovative solutions to overcome these hurdles. Shipping concentrates to the U.S. for carbonation and packaging is one such possibility.
𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵-𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
At $4.99 per can, Sidekick Soda delivers an elevated soda experience that’s both premium and purpose-driven. The article encapsulates the essence of Sidekick Soda—a brand that redefines soda by prioritizing quality, health, and the planet.
𝗔 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱
We’re honored to have been featured in Forbes and thrilled that our commitment to innovation and sustainability is being recognized on a global stage. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and the support of our amazing customers.
Thank you for being a part of the Sidekick journey. Let’s raise a can to a brighter, more sustainable future!