Most “better” sodas in the US fall into two camps: stevia-sweetened, or fiber / prebiotic sodas that still lean on stevia. Sidekick is neither.
Sidekick is a New Zealand honey soda: real fruit, New Zealand honey, a splash of apple cider vinegar, sparkling water. No cane sugar. No stevia. No erythritol. Taste first. No gut claims.
The stevia problem (for some of us)
Stevia works for many people. It does not work for Fiona, our co-founder. That metallic finish is why Sidekick exists — she wanted a soda she would finish. If stevia is fine for you, keep drinking what you like. If it is not, you need a different sweetener story.
Ours is honey. Softer than cane-sugar syrup. Not zero sugar. Read the can.
The fiber soda problem (different job)
Prebiotic and fiber sodas sell a functional story. Sidekick does not compete on fiber grams. We compete on whether the can tastes like fruit soda.
If you want a functional label, buy the functional can. If you want cherry, pear, strawberry, mango, or watermelon that drinks clean, that is our slot.
Sidekick in one table
| Stevia soda | Fiber / prebiotic soda | Sidekick | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetener | Often stevia | Often stevia + fiber story | New Zealand honey |
| Fruit | Varies | Varies | Real fruit juice / purée |
| Vinegar | Rare | Rare | Splash of apple cider vinegar |
| Job | Diet-leaning fizz | Functional soft drink | Fruit soda you finish |
More: Real fruit soda vs prebiotic soda, Honey soda vs kombucha for NZ cafés, and Healthy soft drink alternatives in NZ.
Buy it in New Zealand
Mango is the summer best seller: Mango 12-pack. Stock three boxes on Fridge Fill — free NZ shipping, $6 off. Default mix is 2 Mango + 1 Pear.
Find it in the US
We are building US retail. Browse flavours on sodakick.com, then suggest a store. We will not invent a stockist that is not real.
