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Over the last few years, consumers have become more conscious of what they put in their bodies and they’re switching to healthier alternatives. With this being said, the healthy soda market is blowing up right now.
Thanks to social media, brands are getting more exposure now than ever before. The one that has been making big waves is the influencer and celebrity favorite prebiotic soda: Poppi. The times I remember drinking soda was when I was a kid, and nowadays, if I ever drink soda, it’s when I go to a movie theater, which is almost never.
Infused with apple cider vinegar, Poppi prides themselves on the natural sweeteners and prebiotics for the making of their drinks. The mission is to introduce clean and functional sodas, which for years had been deemed unhealthy given the high sugar content.
Backstory
In 2016, Dallas-based couple Allison Ellsworth and Stephen Ellsworth were experimenting with different drink recipes using apple cider vinegar. Allison suffered from chronic health issues for years, but her symptoms vanished when she started drinking apple cider vinegar.
But because of apple cider vinegar’s inherently powerful taste and smell, they aimed to create a fun, flavorful drink with all the added benefits. The brand was originally called Mother, and the packaging looked very different!
They first started selling Mother in Farmers’ Markets across Dallas. In 2018, Allison and Stephen appeared on Shark Tank, where they landed a deal with CAVU Ventures.
After a massive revamp that included the name change and packaging redesign, Poppi was born in January 2020 — during that year, it gained a cult-like following on Tik Tok. In 2021, Poppi raised $13.5 million in a celebrity investment round that will allow them to expand to international markets and more retail avenues. The prebiotic soda brand has been given special shoutouts by celebrities like Billie Eilish, Mila Kunis and Jlo and was featured on The Drew Barrymore Show.
Billie Eilish: “Poppi, which is this low-sugar prebiotic drinks which I looooove.”
Mila Kunis: “I’ve become obsessed with… I blame the kids, but the whole family now loves Poppi. I feel like it’s because it says prebiotic, I’m like ‘Ugh, literally this is healthy.’ I don’t know if it’s or isn’t, but boy do I like a nice little Poppi.”
Poppi has also managed to secure paid partnerships with big celebrities like Jlo or the Kardashian-Jenner family.
Even the colorful design of the website is so cool, and their Instagram feed is a color lover’s dream. My hat goes off to their marketing team! I’m very influenced by colorful packaging, and Poppi does a great job.
CAVU Ventures co-founder Rohan Oza said: “As a digital first, celebrity and influencer favorite, Poppi has exploded into the marketplace over the last year and a half, growing exponentially both online and at retail. Poppi is the soda for the modern generation, and we’re thrilled to be leading this raise.”
Poppi’s goal is to promote the effects of apple cider vinegar and prebiotics.
What are prebiotics? This is what Poppi wrote on their website:
“Prebiotics are plant fibers that help the healthy bacteria grow in your gut. They are a type of carb that your body cannot digest, this means that it is sent to your lower digestive tract. By doing this, it will make your digestive system work better.”
I love apple cider vinegar. Whether it’s in salad dressings or to heal a skin issue, the health benefits of drinking it are unmatched. Before I knew about Poppi, sometimes I poured myself a glass of sparkling water and added apple cider vinegar to it for that extra oomph! There are so many ways to dilute the strong flavor.
Before I get into the drink, it’s very important to talk about the packaging.
Whether it’s Whole Foods or Target, the bright, colorful cans are easily recognizable among the vast sea of sodas and flavored waters. One marketing principle is that color psychology dictates the consumer perception of a brand. When I tried my first Poppi can (Strawberry Lemon), I chose it based on the color.
Taste
Although the predominant ingredient in Poppi is apple cider vinegar, it’s very subtle.
My favorite flavor is the Orange Poppi, which in my opinion, tastes almost exactly like an orange Fanta. It’s so good! I also love the Strawberry Lemon. The flavor of the Classic Cola reminded me so much of a gummy cola. However, I wasn’t as impressed by the Raspberry Rose and the Watermelon. Whenever I’m at the grocery store, the ones I reach out for the most are Orange and Strawberry Lemonade. They’re so incredibly refreshing. If six years ago you had told me that I’d be hooked on an apple cider vinegar-based soda, I’d have looked at you in utter disbelief.
Whatever your flavor of choice is, you’ll want to come back to it! The price is quite steep ($2.49 per can), but not surprising for the probiotic soda market.
Excerpt from The Dallas Morning News:
” Many of the flavors evoke already-popular drinks: Strawberry Lemon tastes like summery lemonade; Ginger Lime calls Sprite to mind; Orange has “Fanta vibes,” Allison says; and Grapefruit can easily replace your Fresca. Then there’s the newer Classics line of Root Beer, Classic Cola and Doc Pop, an ode to Dr Pepper. ‘I might have spent extra time [formulating the flavor] on that one,’ Allison says of Doc Pop. ‘Being from Texas, that one was important.’ “
Check out Poppi’s store locator here. I would suggest trying the drinks individually first so that if you decide to buy a case, you’re not stuck with a flavor you don’t like.
I’d rather purchase assorted flavors than being stuck with one flavor, so whenever I’m at Whole Foods, I always reach out for 2 cans.
How often can you drink Poppi? The website says: “Everything in moderation, but we find ourselves crushing at least 2x a day. It’s hard to have too much of something this good.”
Stay tuned on their Instagram for future flavor releases! In Los Angeles, Poppi is also partnering with restaurants.
Have you tried Poppi?
