Trusted by premium retailers, press, and soda lovers
From award-winning press features to premium retail partnerships and glowing customer reviews, discover why Sidekick Soda is revolutionizing the healthy beverage space.
New Zealand soda on Erewhon shelves
Prestigious Retailers
New Zealand
Featured In
Featured Twice
Featured
Los Angeles
Industry Leader
Trade Press
Women in Business
Innovation
Award-Winning Quality
Press Coverage
October 31, 2024
Sidekick Soda Stands Out as a Fruit-Filled, Earth-Conscious Alternative
"Sidekick Soda is not a copycat—it's a new, artisanal vision of what soda can be."Read Article
July 2, 2024
Is there really such a thing as a healthy soda?
"Sidekick Soda named among better-for-you soda brands leading the healthy beverage movement."Read Article
May 23, 2024
Ready for Memorial Day Weekend? Check Out These Fun and Affordable Items
"Featured in Memorial Day Weekend essentials for fun and affordable items."Read Article
March 12, 2025
Expo West 2025: Honey as a Sweetener, Jerky as a Protein Source
"Featured at Expo West 2025 for innovative use of multi-floral New Zealand honey as a natural sweetener."Read Article
Why Sidekick is Different
Not all sodas are created equal. Here's what sets us apart from the rest.
Pure, natural sweetness without artificial sugars or high-fructose corn syrup
Authentic fruit flavors you can taste, not artificial extracts or concentrates
Gut-health benefits in every sip, supporting digestion and wellness
Clean, refreshing finish without the bitter or metallic aftertaste
Made with pride using the finest ingredients from Aotearoa
Why People Switch to Sidekick
No bitter or metallic aftertaste that ruins the experience
Natural sweetness that tastes like real food, not chemicals
Authentic taste from real fruit, not artificial extracts
Versatile for any occasion—family meals, cocktails, or alcohol alternatives
Elevated quality that fits seamlessly into your daily routine
Why Premium Retailers Back Us
Eye-catching design and premium New Zealand positioning that drives customer interest
Honey-sweetened formula appeals to customers who avoid artificial sweeteners
New Zealand craftsmanship and award-winning heritage create authentic brand value
Perfect for family meals, lunch, cocktail mixers, and alcohol alternatives
Our Impact
Created by an Award-Winning Drinks Family
Sidekick Soda was created by mother-son founders Fiona and Rogan Tomlinson, who bring decades of beverage expertise to every bottle. Fiona is an award-winning drinks maker behind The Damson Collection, which has won World's Best Fruit Liqueur (2020), Best New Zealand Fruit Liqueur (2020, 2021), and earned gold medals at international spirits competitions. Together, they've already earned Sidekick Soda a Silver Medal at the 2025 Outstanding Food Producer Awards.
But Sidekick was born from a personal frustration: Fiona experiences stevia the way many people do—as intensely bitter and chemical-tasting, rather than clean and sweet. Research shows that genetic differences in bitter taste receptors can make certain stevia compounds trigger a harsh, lingering aftertaste that's genuinely unpleasant. For her, most "healthy" sodas weren't just disappointing; they were undrinkable.
This drove the mission behind Sidekick: create a truly better-for-you soda that doesn't compromise on taste. Using New Zealand honey and real fruit, we crafted a drink that's refreshing, naturally sweet, and free from the aftertaste that ruins so many alternatives. It's not a trend—it's a solution built by people who understand both the art of great drinks and the science of what makes them enjoyable for everyone.
Our Story
Sidekick Soda was born during COVID lockdown from mother-son founders Fiona and Rogan Tomlinson, who were passionate about creating healthier beverage options. What started as a kitchen experiment became a mission to revolutionize the soda industry with apple cider vinegar-based drinks that don't compromise on taste.
Launched at the prestigious Erewhon in Los Angeles in March 2024, we've expanded our reach while staying true to our commitment to sustainability. Through our Cherry Rescue Project partnership, we've rescued 2,000kg of cherries from waste, turning surplus fruit into delicious, purposeful beverages.
Every bottle combines New Zealand honey, real fruit flavors, and the gut-health benefits of apple cider vinegar — creating a perfectly balanced, refreshing drink that's both delicious and good for you.
What Our Customers Say
Refreshing, not too sweet
- Very enjoyable and not too sweet. Refreshing without being too heavy in flavour.
- Loved this soda. The flavour wasn't overpowering, it was just right and was quite refreshing to drink.
- This was so good! Not too sweet, very refreshing and lovely flavour.
- Tasted just like a fresh pear, refreshing and not too sweet.
- Nice and light, not sickly sweet.
- Great flavour. Not too sweet and perfectly balanced with honey.
No weird sweetener aftertaste
- I'm picky with sweeteners and this one is great. No weird aftertaste.
- So good! Doesn't have that weird sweetener aftertaste.
- There was no aftertaste, it's easy on the stomach, the flavour was bursting.
- Love that it's sweetened with honey, not artificial sweeteners.
- Delicious! Love the flavour, as I hate stevia or sugar replacements that leave an awful taste in your mouth afterwards. The honey sweetener is great.
Tastes like real fruit
- Tastes like real fruit, not like fake flavouring.
- I loved the real fruit puree added — like you have just picked the fruit to drink.
- This was a big hit… it was only sweetened with honey and tasted natural.
- Love that these sodas are NZ made, use real fruit, New Zealand honey and organic apple cider vinegar.
- Really liked the real fruit flavour.
- Had the pear, it was yum. Not too sweet and tastes really natural.
Low sugar without tasting like diet
- Finally a low sugar-ish soda that doesn't taste like diet.
- Really like the concept of this drink being a healthier alternative while still tasting great.
- Love the burst of flavour… a healthier version of a soda without losing the taste.
- Great to have a healthy soda not full of sugar.
- Loved the flavour and the low sugar content, a treat without guilt.
- Have been looking for a fizzy drink alternative that is lower sugar but can't stand most artificial sweeteners. This was a winner.
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