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 — a shrub, finished with sparkling water. Old-school soda and traditional drinks.
Whole Fruit Purée
Real fruit purée and juice give Sidekick bright flavour, colour, and body you can taste.
Every flavour starts with fruit — then New Zealand honey, a splash of vinegar, and bubbles finish the can.
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
A crisp splash of 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
- 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
- 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 lightly sweet. The honey brings a soft, floral sweetness, while 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: the vinegar adds brightness and a dry finish, but it does not make the soda taste vinegary. More on why we still make a shrub and what ACV soda is.
Is Sidekick kombucha?
No. Sidekick uses 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?
Taste comes from real fruit, New Zealand honey, apple cider vinegar, and sparkling water. Always check the can label for the full ingredient list for each flavour.
Is Sidekick gluten-free?
Sidekick is made with naturally gluten-free ingredients. Always check the product label for the current allergen statement.
Is it vegan?
No — Sidekick contains New Zealand honey. The other core ingredients are plant-based: fruit, 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?
Cherry 47, Mango 46, Pear 44, Strawberry 44, Watermelon 37 — per 250ml can. Sugar sits under 4 g per 100 ml. The table is on how many calories in Sidekick. Always check the can.
Where are the ingredients from?
We prioritise New Zealand origin where it matters most. Our honey and 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 apple cider vinegar comes from a family-owned Nelson producer. Crushed apples are fermented into alcohol, then into acetic acid — with no additives and no caramel colouring.
What's on the label — and what we don't claim
The can lists ingredients and nutrition so you can see exactly what's in each serve: fruit, New Zealand honey, apple cider vinegar, and sparkling water. We don't make medical, therapeutic, or pregnancy claims. If you have a dietary question for yourself or someone else, check the label and ask a qualified professional — we only describe what's in the can.
Is the packaging recyclable?
Yes. Aluminium cans are widely recyclable and designed to be recycled again and again — please recycle. Our cans use BPA-NI linings (BPA is not intentionally added).
