New Zealand Honey
New Zealand honey gives Sidekick gentle sweetness, body, and depth — no cane sugar, no stevia, no erythritol.
Sourced from New Zealand suppliers for a soft, rounded finish.
Our Ingredients
A deep dive into our kitchen logic: real fruit, New Zealand honey, a crisp splash of apple cider vinegar, and sparkling water.
Honey, fruit, vinegar.
That's the heart of the recipe. Finished with sparkling water.
Whole Fruit Purée
We use real fruit purée and juice for flavour, colour, and texture you can taste.
No flavour concentrates pretending to be fruit.
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
A crisp splash of organic apple cider vinegar gives Sidekick its clean, grown-up finish.
Sourced from Nelson-region orchards.
See the difference
Most sodas are clear and syrup-led. Sidekick is cloudy because it starts with real fruit.
Checked, sourced, and made with care.
The details matter. Here are the standards we care about most.
- No cane sugar. No stevia. No erythritol.
- No artificial colours
- No artificial flavours
- Real fruit purée and juice
- New Zealand honey
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Gluten-free ingredients
- BPA-NI cans
- Recyclable aluminium
View full ingredient standards Close standards
Full ingredient standards
More detail for customers who like to know exactly what goes into the can.
Honey standards
- Glyphosate freeLab tested
- Antibiotic freeBatch tested
- C4 sugar testedChecked for syrup adulteration
- New Zealand honeySourced from NZ suppliers
- Halal certifiedFIANZ programme
- Kosher certifiedKiwi Kosher Licensing Authority
- SQF Level 3Food safety & quality certified
Apple cider vinegar standards
- Certified organicBioGro certified
- Organic apple cider vinegarNelson-region orchards
- Made in NelsonNew Zealand origin
- Food Act compliantNelson City Council registered
- Full-strength acidity5.9–6.5% (seasonal)
Packaging & manufacturing standards
- BPA-NI cansNo BPA added to can lining
- Recyclable aluminiumInfinitely recyclable
- Gluten-free ingredientsNaturally gluten-free
- No cane sugar. No stevia. No erythritol.
- No artificial colours
- No artificial flavours
Additional raw material checks
- Phthalates freeNo plasticiser additives
- Irradiation freeNon-irradiated
- Residual solvent freeSupplier documentation
- Nanoparticle freeSupplier documentation
Standards refer to specific ingredients and packaging used in our current formulation. Always check the product label for the most up-to-date nutrition and allergen information.
Common Questions
Does Sidekick use stevia or monk fruit?
No. Sidekick is sweetened with New Zealand honey — not cane sugar, stevia, erythritol, monk fruit, or sucralose. We chose honey because it gives the soda body, rounded sweetness, and a cleaner finish than many zero-calorie sweeteners.
Is it very sweet?
No — it's not-too-sweet. The honey brings a soft, floral sweetness, while organic apple cider vinegar keeps the finish crisp and clean.
Does it taste like vinegar?
No. Think of it like lemon in a cocktail or a shrub-style drink: the vinegar adds brightness and a dry finish, but it does not make the soda taste vinegary.
Is Sidekick kombucha?
No. Sidekick uses organic apple cider vinegar for a crisp finish, but it is not brewed or fermented in the can like kombucha. It drinks more like a classic soda with a grown-up edge.
How fizzy is it?
Light, fine bubbles with a sparkling lift — refreshing, but not harsh or heavy like some mass-market sodas.
Does Sidekick use natural flavours?
No. Sidekick is made with no cane sugar, no stevia, and no erythritol. The taste comes from real fruit, New Zealand honey, organic apple cider vinegar, and sparkling water.
Is Sidekick gluten-free?
Sidekick is made with naturally gluten-free ingredients.
Is it vegan?
No — Sidekick contains New Zealand honey. The other core ingredients are plant-based: fruit, organic apple cider vinegar, and sparkling water.
Can I use it as a mixer?
Absolutely. Sidekick was made to stand on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with gin, vodka, tequila, whiskey, or a simple splash of citrus.
Show more questions
How many calories are in a can?
Roughly 40–50 calories per 250ml can, depending on the flavour. Check the can or product page for the exact nutrition panel.
Where are the ingredients from?
We prioritise New Zealand origin where it matters most. Our honey and organic apple cider vinegar come from New Zealand producers, and we use real fruit selected for each flavour.
How is your apple cider vinegar made?
Our organic apple cider vinegar comes from a family-owned Nelson producer. Crushed organic apples are fermented into alcohol, then into acetic acid — with no additives and no caramel colouring.
Is the can BPA free?
We use BPA-NI can linings, meaning BPA is not intentionally added.
Is the packaging recyclable?
Yes. Aluminium cans are widely recyclable and designed to be recycled again and again — please recycle.