Irish non-alcoholic drinks brands are brewing up a storm

Barry Walsh discovers 20 Irish non-alcoholic drinks brands producing kombucha, alcohol-free beer, juices, cordials, mixers and functional drinks across Ireland.

From small-batch fermented kombuchas and mountain spring waters to cold-pressed juices, botanical cordials, and zero-proof craft beers, Ireland’s non-alcoholic drinks sector is undergoing a rapid evolution.

Driven by shifting consumer habits towards wellness, sobriety-curious lifestyles, and premium moderation, Ireland’s broader soft drinks and health-beverage market is projected to reach nearly €2.7 billion ($2.9 billion USD), according to this article from Drinks Industry Group of Ireland.

The Irish non-alcoholic carbonated drinks and juices alone contribute over €300 million in annual domestic export value, according to Bord Bia.

Spanning 11 counties, including Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Dublin, Waterford, Kilkenny, Cork, Wexford, Kildare, Longford, and Offaly, I feature 20 independent brands that showcase the depth of local artisan innovation.

Despite competing against large Irish and International brands with multi-million-euro marketing budgets, these 20 local enterprises have carved out strong market shares and collectively earned over 60 prestigious national and international accolades. These include Supreme Champion titles, Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards, Euro-Toques recognitions, and multi-star Blas na hÉireann and Great Taste honours.

KEY NUMBERS: Irish non-alcoholic drinks

All About Kombucha

Founded by: Keith Loftus and Emmett Kerrigan

Based in: Galway

Founded in Galway by Keith Loftus and Emmett Kerrigan, All About Kombucha produces freshly fermented, organic, and unpasteurised kombucha and sparkling wellness drinks. Crafted from organic teas, pure Irish spring water, fruit, and natural botanicals, their core lineup of gut-friendly carbonated drinks is packed with live cultures, natural enzymes, and antioxidants, without artificial additives or high sugar content. Brewed at Ireland’s first carbon-neutral kombucha brewery in  Lakeview, Claregalway, their drinks are hand-canned and served on draught, in eco-friendly cans, and through their mobile “Booch Bar” at festivals and corporate events nationwide. The product range includes live organic sodas and artisanal fermented tea flavours designed as refreshing, health-conscious alternatives.

The company’s commitment to sustainable brewing, local ingredients, and product excellence has earned them significant national press and industry accolades. They won the prestigious Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Award for Best Drink in 2022 and were crowned the inaugural Homegrown at Maxol Champion in 2023. Highlighting their success within the local Gaeltacht enterprise community, they secured the Gaeltacht Choice Award at the 2024 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, alongside multiple bronze awards and finalist places for their organic sodas and fermented tea range.

Ballyhoura Apple Farm

Founded by: Maurice Gilbert

Based in: Limerick

Located in Kilfinane, County Limerick, Ballyhoura Apple Farm is was founded by Maurice Gilbert, specialising in hand-crafted apple juices and functional vinegar-based wellness drinks. Operating from the Ballyhoura Artisan Food Park, the business processes 100% Irish apples grown on the island into small-batch fruit drinks using traditional artisan manufacturing methods. Their product range features pure raw apple juice, blend combinations like apple and beetroot juice, and red mulled apple juices. In addition to pure fruit juices, they craft functional wellness drinks including pure raw Irish apple cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar infused with honey, which can be diluted with water for a refreshing, health-focused daily spritz.

Ballyhoura Apple Farm’s commitment to natural ingredients, regional craft production, and traditional fermentation techniques has earned them notable industry awards and acclaim. The company has won multiple awards over nearly two decades of operation for its range of natural juices and wellness-promoting apple cider vinegars. Their products have earned prestigious Great Taste Awards, with judges commending the superb balance, apple purity, and depth of flavour in their craft vinegars and juices. The business is also recognised for supporting regional employment and culinary heritage across County Limerick.

Clare Island Water

Founded by: Tom Connellan

Based in:  Co. Mayo

Located off the Clew Bay coast in County Mayo, Clare Island Water is an island-based spring water supply that draws its natural water source from the pristine Knockmore Mountain stream. Sourced from deep high-altitude mountain springs, the natural raw water undergoes a multi-stage slow sand and carbon filtration process on the island before being distributed as pure, mineral-rich drinking water. Known for being naturally balanced and clean, with a crisp Atlantic coastal mineral profile, this local water supply provides pure hydration to island residents, local visitors, and eco-tourists exploring the remote Mayo coastline.

The brand has gained recognition for both its product quality and its environmental credentials. Clare Island and its coastal surroundings have received prestigious accolades including the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards, granted by An Taisce and the Foundation for Environmental Education, which specifically recognise outstanding water purity and rigorous environmental management standards. Beyond these formal honours, Clare Island Water is regularly featured in regional tourism materials, environmental reporting, and enterprise showcases, reinforcing its reputation as a hallmark of County Mayo’s sustainable rural enterprise and natural heritage.

Drink Botanicals Ireland

Founded by: Laura McCarthy

Based in: Dublin

Founded by entrepreneur Laura McCarthy while studying Business & Marketing at TU Dublin, Drink Botanicals Ireland has grown from a kitchen-table start-up into an award-winning Irish food and beverage ingredients brand with a rapidly expanding international presence.

Originally launched with its Gin Fusion Kits, the company has evolved significantly and today offers more than 70 products, including premium dried fruit, natural fruit syrups, tea infusions, matcha and speciality food and beverage ingredients. Its products serve retail, hospitality and foodservice customers, combining quality and convenience with longer-life solutions that can help reduce unnecessary food waste.

From its Dublin headquarters, Drink Botanicals Ireland now supplies customers across Ireland, the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East, with exports representing a growing majority of the business.

In 2026, Laura was selected as a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland programme. The company was also named High Potential Exporter at the 2025 Irish Export Industry Awards, and has previously received the Dublin City Enterprise Award, National Enterprise Awards One to Watch Award, and SFA Outstanding Small Business Award.

Fierce Mild

Founded by: Fergal Carroll and Cathal Byrne

Based in: Co. Louth

Co-founded by childhood friends and brothers-in-law Fergal Carroll and Cathal Byrne, Fierce Mild is a multi-award-winning independent Irish brewery based in Dundalk, Co. Louth, dedicated exclusively to brewing great-tasting Irish alcohol-free beer. Its approach puts flavour first, using carefully selected, locally sourced natural ingredients and specialised brewing techniques tailored to each beer style. The result is a range designed to deliver flavour, character, drinkability and the ritual of a true beer experience, without the alcohol, additives, flavourings or preservatives.

Since launching in 2024, Fierce Mild has quickly built a strong reputation in Ireland’s growing alcohol-free beer category, and its flagship Extra Pale Ale and new Lively Lager are now available in hundreds of venues nationwide. Its commitment to flavour, quality and independent Irish brewing has earned significant industry recognition, including Best Irish Drink at the 2026 Irish Food Writers’ Guild Awards, Gold at Blas na hÉireann and Gold at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards. With its range continuing to grow, Fierce Mild is raising expectations of what Irish alcohol-free beer can be.

Flahavan’s Oat Drinks

Founded by: John Flahavan

Based in: Co Waterford

Based in Kilmacthomas, County Waterford, Flahavan’s is Ireland’s oldest family-owned food business with over 230 years of oat-milling heritage. Expanding beyond traditional porridge oats into liquid plant-based hydration, the company produces a dedicated line of premium non-alcoholic oat drinks. Milled using 100% locally sourced Irish oats grown within a 60-mile radius of their Waterford mill, their non-alcoholic drink portfolio includes Flahavan’s Barista Edition Oat Drink, Organic Oat Drink, Vitamin Rich Oat Drink, and Zero Sugar Oat Drink. Formulated without added sugars or artificial sweeteners, these plant-based drinks offer a smooth, subtle oat flavour and creamy texture tailored for daily hydration, smoothies, and frothy coffee applications.

Flahavan’s transition into plant-based drinks and sustainable manufacturing has earned major national industry acclaim. The company achieved Gold Member status in Bord Bia’s Origin Green sustainability program and was crowned champion at the SEAI Energy Awards for self-generating 70% of its mill’s energy via wind, hydro, solar, and biomass power. Additionally, Flahavan’s won Marketing Excellence at the Waterford Business Awards, and its Barista Edition Oat Drink was rated the top choice among Irish baristas for performance and creaminess, solidifying the brand’s leadership in Ireland’s oat-hydration market.

Green Beards

Founded by: Ray O’Hara and Kevin Johnstone

Based in: Dublin

Founded in 2014 by Ray O’Hara and Kevin Johnstone, Green Beards is a Dublin-based artisan health drink specialising in raw, cold-pressed vegetable and fruit juices. Operating retail outlets in Ranelagh and Shankill, the company began in a home kitchen before expanding to supply stockists across Dublin. Their non-alcoholic drink portfolio includes raw cold-pressed juices like ‘Beets by Ray’ and ‘The Boss’, along with botanical wellness shots, smoothies, and acaí bowls. Using masticating extraction methods, 100% dairy-free and gluten-free ingredients, and organic produce where possible, Green Beards crafts naturally nutrient-dense drinks designed to offer a convenient, unpasteurised boost to daily health.

Green Beards’ commitment to sustainable production, health food innovation, and local sourcing has garnered strong recognition within Dublin’s independent food and wellness area. The business is known for its eco-conscious operations, incorporating compostable packaging and a deposit-return system for its glass juice bottles to minimise environmental impact. Frequently spotlighted across national lifestyle publications, Dublin culinary guides, and business press, Green Beards is widely celebrated as one of the capital’s premier raw cold-pressed juice brands.

Highbank Organic Orchards

Founded by:  Rod and Julie Calder-Potts

Based in: Kilkenny

Rod and Julie Calder-Potts

Located in Cuffesgrange, County Kilkenny, Highbank Organic Orchards is a family-run heritage estate managed by Rod and Julie Calder-Potts, specialising in single-estate organic apple products and non-alcoholic orchard drinks. Operating on land farmed since the seventeenth century, the estate grows heritage apple varieties organically without synthetic chemicals or pesticides. Their primary non-alcoholic product line centres on Highbank Organic Apple Driver’s Cider, a zero-proof sparkling cider, alongside their signature Highbank Organic Apple Syrup, non-alcoholic apple juices, and raw apple cider vinegars. Handcrafted in small batches directly on the farm, these natural drinks provide a sophisticated, tart, and naturally sweet alternative to mass-produced soft drinks.

Highbank Organic Orchards’ commitment to organic farming, biodiversity, and artisan production has earned them extensive national and international accolades. The estate won the prestigious Euro-Toques Food Award for outstanding contribution to Irish artisan heritage and has secured multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards. Highbank products have also received Great Taste Awards and top honours at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards. Frequently featured across national television broadcasts, RTÉ documentaries, and Irish culinary press, Highbank is widely celebrated as a flagship producer within Kilkenny’s food and drink ecosystem.

Hurst Botanicals

Founded by: Ellen Quinn and Alex Falco

Based in: Clarecastle within County Clare

Nestled in the village of Clarecastle within County Clare and founded by Ellen Quinn and Alex Falco, the company has carved out a unique space across the Irish health drink sector by becoming the nation’s sole Fairtrade-certified kombucha producer. The team focuses on crafting premium kombucha that champions ethical sourcing alongside traditional methods of production. Their signature range centres on carefully fermented kombucha, which undergoes an unhurried brewing process to develop a complex and naturally tangy flavour profile. By combining high-quality organic ingredients with strict ethical standards, the business delivers refreshing options for consumers seeking sophisticated alternatives to traditional alcohol and sugary soft drinks.

The founders place immense value on community engagement and sustainable practices. Visitors travelling to their headquarters in Co Claire can experience a tasting room where they can sample drinks straight from the tap and meet the makers behind the brand. The expanding product lineup features exciting year-round favourites such as apple and elderflower alongside fiery ginger and seasonal creations that have earned notable industry praise. Through a steadfast dedication to exceptional taste and responsible manufacturing, Hurst Botanicals continues to inspire mindful drinking habits while adding to Ireland’s growing community of drink brands.

King of Kefir Dublin

Founded by: Gerry Scullion

Based in: Dublin

Founded in Dublin in 2014 by Gerry Scullion, King of Kefir is Ireland’s first dedicated water kefir brewery, specialising in handcrafted, naturally fermented gut-healthy drinks. Operating as an independent artisan producer, the company brews light, effervescent water kefirs using live cultures, organic botanical infusions, and natural ingredients. Their non-alcoholic product lineup features distinct flavour blends such as Lemongrass & Ginger, Chilli & Ginger, Cucumber, Mint & Thyme, and Hopped Culture. Naturally sweetened with organic stevia leaves and bottle-conditioned using Highbank Organic Apple Syrup rather than refined sugars, these drinks are zero-sugar, low-calorie, and caffeine-free, offering a refreshing alternative to commercial soft drinks and kombuchas.

King of Kefir’s pioneering approach to natural fermentation, organic sourcing, and eco-conscious brewing has earned extensive national acclaim and industry awards. The business was named Drinks of the Year by John and Sally McKenna’s Guides and secured Double Gold Medals at the Free From Food Awards. Gerry Scullion and his team have also received high praise across Irish trade publications, national newspapers, and health-focused media.

Naturally Cordial

Founded by: Clodagh Davis

Based in: Co. Wexford

Founded in 2013 by Clodagh Davis in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Naturally Cordial is an artisanal drink producer specialising in premium, hand-crafted fruit cordials. Clodagh launched the business after discovering a gap in the market for high-quality, whole-fruit cordials free from artificial sweeteners, colourings, and preservatives. Combining locally sourced Wexford soft fruits, such as raspberries, strawberries, and blackcurrants, with organic citrus and Irish water, the company relies on traditional pasteurisation to preserve freshness. The versatile range includes distinct flavour profiles like Pink Grapefruit, Lemon & Lime, Strawberry, Cucumber & Lime, and Wexford Blackcurrant, offering a refined, natural alternative to standard commercial syrups for home mixology and zero-proof dining.

Naturally Cordial’s dedication to clean ingredients and local sourcing has earned the brand substantial industry acclaim and commercial success, including Origin Green certification. The Wexford-based business is a regular recipient of Blas na hÉireann (The Irish Food Awards) medals across multiple flavour categories, alongside multiple Great Taste Star Awards from the Guild of Fine Food, and recognition from Irish Quality Food Awards. Supported by the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Wexford, Davis successfully expanded distribution through the SuperValu Food Academy. Today, Naturally Cordial is stocked in hundreds of independent food halls, speciality grocers, and premium bars across Ireland, while also serving high-end hospitality venues seeking sustainable, Irish-made mixers.

Poachers Drinks

Founded by: Brendan Colbert

Based in: Co. Wexford

Based in Gorey, County Wexford, Poachers Drinks is an award-winning independent business producing premium natural mixers, tonic waters, and craft sodas. Founded by Brendan Colbert, whose family has operated in Irish hospitality since 1812, the company crafts its recipes around native botanical ingredients sourced from the Wexford coast. Their non-alcoholic product portfolio features Wild Tonic with Irish Elderflower, Citrus Tonic with Irish Rosemary, Classic Tonic with Irish Thyme, and Ginger Ale with Irish Apple, alongside Grapefruit Soda with Irish Sea Salt and Lemon Soda with Irish Mint. Blended with lower sugar content and carbonated Irish spring water, these serve as sophisticated zero-proof drinks on their own or as elevated mixers.

Poachers Drinks’ emphasis on local provenance, natural recipes, and sustainable production has earned the business major international accolades and national press coverage. The brand made history by winning the prestigious Taste Master award overall best-in-class at The Spirits Business Global Tonic and Mixer Masters, alongside multiple Great Taste Awards and Blas na hÉireann recognitions. Certified under Bord Bia’s Origin Green sustainability programme, Poachers Drinks is regularly featured across trade publications, national culinary media, and premium hospitality venues, establishing itself as a premier Irish natural soda and mixer brand.

ProKulture Organic Kombucha Kildare

Founded by: Barry Flanagan and Rob Reinsford

Based in: Sallins, Co Kildare

ProKulture is a producer of certified organic and unpasteurised kombucha, focused on delivering natural, health-conscious drinks. Founded in 2020 by Barry Flanagan and Rob Reinsford and based in Sallins, County Kildare, the business emphasises the use of 100% organic and natural ingredients to create functional drinks rich in antioxidants and plant-based nutrients. Their core product range features a variety of flavour profiles, including Ginger & Lemongrass, Blood Orange & Turmeric, Wild Berry, and Pink Grapefruit. Each batch is crafted to offer a naturally energising and refreshing experience, providing a “guilt-free” alternative to sugary soft drinks by relying on high-quality, sustainably sourced botanical components rather than artificial additives.

The company is distinguished by its commitment to clean-label, organic certification and sustainable procurement practices in its brewing process. By focusing on traditional fermentation techniques and excluding artificial flavourings or sweeteners, ProKulture positions its drinks as a wellness-focused choice for health-conscious consumers. The brand is recognised for its dedication to transparency, natural production methods, and providing a clean energy source through its probiotic-rich kombucha, maintaining a presence in the Irish market as a premium, organic-certified drink producer.

The Raw Juice Company

Founded by: Andy Pratt

Based in: Dublin

Based in Ballymount, Dublin, The Raw Juice Company is an independent artisan health drink producer specialising in 100% raw, unpasteurised, cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juices. Founded by Andy Pratt following his experience managing juice establishments and travelling in Australia, the business focuses on small-batch processing using whole-food ingredients sourced from local Irish markets. Their non-alcoholic product portfolio features cold-pressed juice blends, such as Cucumber, Spinach, Green Apple, Lime & Parsley, and Apple, Pineapple, Lemon & Ginger alongside daily wellness shots and large-format options for food service.

They extract juices with the Cold Pressed Method – Applying a high-pressure 9-ton hydraulic press for juice extraction is a slow process; however, it’s the best way to retain the nutritional composition and natural flavour of each ingredient.

They produce clean-label juices, only using whole-food natural ingredients, without any thermal processing, concentrates, preservatives or added sugars; the company crafts these nutrient-dense, functional drinks designed to support daily immune health and wellness.

The Raw Juice Company’s dedication to clean-label production, sustainable sourcing, and zero-waste practices has earned significant national and international industry recognition. The business has secured 13 Great Taste Awards, along with multiple Silver and Bronze Medals at the Blas na héireann Irish Food Awards. Operating with an eco-conscious ethos, the company utilises 100% recyclable bottles made from recycled materials and diverts all organic spent pulp to local farmers for animal feed. It has also featured across regional trade showcases, wellness platforms, and Irish food guides; the brand is widely recognised as a premier producer in Ireland’s cold-pressed juice sector.

Revive Active

Founded by: Dáithi O’Connor

Based in: HQ in Galway and Production in Mullingar

Every 1.3 seconds, someone consumes a glass of Revive Active, making it one of Ireland’s most trusted and successful health and wellness brands.

Revive Active has grown to become Ireland’s No.1 Vitamin and Dietary Supplement brand, pioneering the premium super supplement sachet category through science-led innovation and high-quality ingredients. At the heart of the range is Revive Active, a daily multi-nutrient supplement containing 26 active ingredients, including CoQ10, L-Arginine, vitamins and minerals, delivered in a convenient daily powdered sachet.  Once mixed with water, it provides a delicious tropical-flavoured start to the day.  Alongside its flagship product, the company offers an award-winning portfolio that includes Zest Active, Joint Complex, Collagen Complex, Meno Active, Junior Revive and Teen Revive, providing targeted nutritional support for every stage of life.

Proudly Irish, Revive Active is a member of both Guaranteed Irish and Love Irish Food. Headquartered in Galway, the company manufactures its products in Mullingar and employs almost 100 people across its operations. Its commitment to Irish innovation and manufacturing excellence has helped drive significant domestic and international growth across the UK, Spain, Portugal, UAE and Nigeria.

Today, Revive Active products are available through more than 2,000 pharmacies and health food stores in Ireland and abroad. The brand’s scientific approach and focus on quality have earned numerous industry accolades, including the Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Award at the Guaranteed Irish Business Awards and multiple OTC Retail Pharmacy Awards.

Richmount Cordials

Founded by: David and Martina Burns

Based in: Longford

Located on a family farm in County Longford, Richmount Cordial Company is an independent artisan business founded by David and Martina Burns, specialising in handcrafted botanical cordials and non-alcoholic sparkling drinks. Operating in the heart of the Irish countryside, the business hand-picks fresh elderflowers and elderberries grown on their own land to create a distinct range of natural drinks. Their core non-alcoholic product line includes their signature Elderflower Cordial, an Elderberry Cordial infused with oranges and warm spices, and a ready-to-drink Sparkling Elderflower soda. Crafted in small batches using pure ingredients, lemons, and natural ingredients without artificial preservatives, their drinks offer a fragrant, floral alternative to commercial soft drinks. Growing their main ingredients gives them ultimate control over quality and allows them to capture the freshness which is evident in their products.

Their dedication to sustainable, farm-to-bottle craft production has earned them significant national recognition and industry awards. The company was named the winner of the prestigious Best in County Longford award at the 2025 Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards, Ireland’s largest blind-tasted food and drink competition. Their cordials have also secured silver accolades at previous Blas na hÉireann events and achieved widespread acclaim from national food critics, local enterprise networks, and regional artisan markets across Ireland. They have been exporting their Elderflower Cordial to Tokyo, Japan for many years.

SiSú

Founded by: Brian and Fiona McGann

Based in: Greystones, County Wicklow

Founded in Greystones, County Wicklow, by Brian and Fiona McGann and led alongside their daughter Aisling McGann, SiSú is a leading Irish functional drink business specialising in plant-based health drinks and cold-pressed juices. Taking its name from the Finnish concept of grit, inner strength, and resilience, the family-owned business began in their kitchen before scaling across retail and food service nationwide. Their non-alcoholic product portfolio features unpasteurised cold-pressed juices, functional wellness shots, organic kombuchas, and plant-based milks. Additionally, SiSú expanded its range through a collaboration with World Champion boxer Katie Taylor to launch Fizzique, a clean-label functional carbonated drink enriched with fibre, magnesium, and Vitamin D.

SiSú’s commitment to natural, plant-based nutrition, clean labelling, and sustainable manufacturing has earned the business widespread recognition and awards across the industry. The company was named Mid-East Regional Winner at the National Enterprise Awards and has accumulated 12 Great Taste Awards across its product range, making it one of Ireland’s top-selling functional drink brands. Certified by Guaranteed Irish, SiSú utilises eco-conscious packaging composed of recycled and plant-based plastics. Widely featured across Irish national media, trade publications, and health platforms, Sisu most recently welcomed their very first brand ambassador, Katie Taylor, stating on social media that “This partnership is rooted in our shared values (both as a business and as a family), our shared vision, and a belief in doing things properly and to the highest level.“

SynerChi

Founded by: Laura Murphy

Based in: Gweedore, County Donegal

Founded in 2012 by brewmaster Laura Murphy in Gweedore, County Donegal, SynerChi Organics is celebrated as Ireland’s first dedicated kombucha brewery or “kombrewery”. Drawing on traditional fermentation techniques learned in the US, Murphy established the Gaeltacht-based business to create a natural, gut-healthy alternative to mass-market soft drinks. SynerChi brews its live, unpasteurised kombucha in small batches using certified organic whole-leaf green tea, active kombucha cultures, and natural botanical ingredients. Their non-alcoholic product portfolio features refreshing fermented blends like Original Sencha Tea, Ginger & Lemongrass, Raspberry & Rosehip, and Oranges & Spiced Apple, alongside canned functional sparkling drinks packed with live cultures, natural enzymes, and antioxidants.

SynerChi’s pioneering role in Ireland’s functional drink landscape, combined with its eco-conscious manufacturing, has earned extensive national industry acclaim. The business swept top honours at the Bord Bia National Organic Awards, winning both the Innovation Award and Best Processed Product for its live kombucha. Operating from an Organic Trust-certified facility supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta, the company has achieved Gold Member status in Bord Bia’s Origin Green sustainability program for significantly reducing operational waste and power usage. Distributed nationally across SuperValu, health stores, and independent retailers, SynerChi Organics remains a benchmark brand within Ireland’s artisan health drink market.

VitHit

Founded by: Gary Lavin

Based in: Dublin

Founded in Dublin in 2001 by Gary Lavin, VitHit has grown from an entrepreneurial start-up into one of Ireland’s most successful functional drinks brands. Its range focuses on low-calorie, low-sugar beverages fortified with vitamins and functional ingredients, spanning bottled drinks, sparkling cans and effervescent products.

The company’s development was far from straightforward. Lavin spent years refining the proposition, navigating insolvency in 2007 and eventually rebranding the business from Vitz to VitHit. By 2025, the privately owned company employed 30 people, was producing 45 million bottles annually and selling internationally, with Ireland and the UK among its strongest markets.

That long-term growth culminated in a major exit in August 2026 when Vimto maker Nichols plc acquired 100% of VitHit for €75 million, approximately £64 million, on a debt-free, cash-free basis.

VitHit generated revenue of €26.5 million in 2025, up more than 90% since 2021, alongside adjusted operating profit of €4.2 million. At the time of the acquisition, it held market-leading positions in Ireland and the UK and operated across a further 13 international markets. Nichols said it saw significant potential to accelerate the brand through wider distribution, increased investment and international expansion.

Wildabout

Founded by: Malcolm and Fiona Falconer

Based in: County Wexford

Based in County Wexford at Tús Nua Farm (Craan, Wells, Gorey), Wildabout is a family-run, multi-award-winning artisan food business co-founded by Malcolm and Fiona Falconer. Operating from a regenerative, biodiversity-focused farm, the brand relies on ethical, sustainable agricultural practices to craft small-batch, handmade foods and drinks. Their diverse product lineup includes sparkling non-alcoholic botanical syrups (such as cardamom and ginger), seasonal fruit preserves, rockin’ rosehip jelly, artisan chutneys, and cold-pressed rapeseed oils infused with wild-foraged herbs like wild garlic, nasturtium, and hairy chilli.

Recognised as a local food hero, Wildabout has secured widespread industry acclaim for its commitment to clean, additive-free ingredients and zero-waste farming principles. The Wexford business is a regular recipient at both Blas na hÉireann (The Irish Food Awards) and the Great Taste Awards, having earned numerous Gold medals, 3-Star Great Taste stars, and titles such as Best Artisan Producer in Wexford, Blas na hEireann Supreme Champion (Sloe Jelly) and Local Food Hero Leinster (Restaurant Awards). Stocked online and across speciality food halls, high-end grocers, and hospitality venues, Wildabout’s botanical syrups, sparkling drinks, and curated carbon-neutral gift sets are widely praised as elevated, zero-proof options for alcohol-free dining and mixology.

Wild Irish Foragers & Preserves

Founded by: Gordon and Sharon Greene

Based in: Co Offaly

Based on Millhouse Farm near Shinrone, County Offaly, Wild Irish Foragers & Preserves is a multi-award-winning family business dedicated to reviving traditional, wild-harvested botanicals and historical recipes. Managed by Gordon and Sharon Greene on their fifth-generation farm, the business hand-picks wild flora, berries, and herbs from local hedgerows, woodlands, and boglands. Their non-alcoholic drink portfolio centres on artisan botanical syrups and traditional shrubs drinking vinegars, featuring expressions such as Wild Rosehip, Honeysuckle, Elderberry, Hawthornberry, and Gorse Flower. Crafted by infusing wild botanicals into organic cider vinegar or natural syrup bases, these small-batch creations serve as sophisticated cordials, sparkling water mixers, and zero-proof cocktail foundations.

The business’s commitment to sustainable foraging, biodiversity preservation, and food heritage has earned it extensive national acclaim. Wild Irish Foragers has secured numerous prestigious honours, including an Irish Food Writers’ Guild Award, RDS Spring Awards for Innovation and Sustainability, multiple Great Taste Awards, and several Blas na hÉireann medals, including Gold for their Honeysuckle Shrub. Featured across national press, culinary platforms, and Good Food Ireland guides, the brand is widely celebrated as a benchmark producer of authentic, heritage-inspired wild botanical drinks in the Irish midlands.

Image at top: Photo by Timothé Durand on Unsplash

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