Schweppes Uncaps A Fizzy New Look 243 Years After Inventing Soft Drinks
Image courtesy of JKR and featured with permission
Schweppes has been putting bubbles into bottles since before the United States had a president. After more than two centuries of fizz, the soft drink maker is giving itself a refresh, hoping to remind modern consumers that long before craft sodas became trendy, it was already writing the recipe.
The brand has unveiled a sweeping global transformation built around a new platform, With Time Comes Taste, a slogan that evokes Schweppes’ 243-year history while realigning it with a changing beverage market. The relaunch introduces a redesigned visual identity, a new ambassador named Clive, and a series of high-profile activations across the UK, including appearances at Piccadilly Circus, Royal Ascot, and the Queen’s Club Championships.
Founded in 1783 by Jacob Schweppe, the company is widely credited with developing the first commercially viable process for bottling carbonated water. That innovation helped establish the modern soft drinks category and laid the groundwork for a business that would eventually become synonymous with tonic water, mixers, and sparkling beverages. Decades before wellness drinks, energy tonics, and functional beverages filled supermarket shelves, Schweppes was marketing carbonated mineral water for its restorative qualities, combining science and refreshment in a way that feels surprisingly contemporary.
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The company continued to expand its influence throughout the 19th century. Its Indian Tonic Water, introduced in 1870, combined quinine with carbonated water and became one of the defining products in the emerging mixer category. A Royal Warrant further strengthened the brand’s reputation, helping establish Schweppes as a fixture in British drinking culture and beyond.
Yet heritage alone no longer guarantees attention in crowded beverage aisles. As craft soda brands, premium mixers, and non-alcoholic alternatives have gained momentum, Schweppes has increasingly found itself competing in a category it helped create. According to the company, that reality prompted a closer look at how the brand presents itself to consumers today.
Image courtesy of JKR and featured with permission
To that end, designers revisited historical typography, illustrations, and brand assets dating back generations, using them as the foundation for a more unified global identity. The refreshed look introduces a bold saffron-yellow color across the portfolio, an updated logo inspired by 18th-century serif lettering, and a reworked fountain emblem based on imagery from the Great Exhibition of 1851. Decorative patterns, monograms, and angular graphic elements are intended to reinforce the idea that craftsmanship improves over time.
Image courtesy of JKR and featured with permission
The relaunch also introduces Clive, a leopard that has shyly existed within Schweppes branding since 1999. Originally created to represent the drink’s distinctive “bite,” the character has been redesigned and elevated into a central ambassador role. His debut will take place on the giant screens of Piccadilly Circus before appearing throughout what the company is calling its “Summer of Schweppes,” a season-long campaign tied to cultural and sporting events.
Image courtesy of JKR and featured with permission
Image courtesy of JKR and featured with permission
The overhaul reflects an evolution in drinking habits. Beverage companies are growingly courting consumers interested in premium non-alcoholic options, moderation-friendly products, and experiences that feel elevated without relying on alcohol. Schweppes believes its combination of history, familiarity, and premium positioning places it in a strong position to benefit from that shift.
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The new identity has already begun appearing on packaging in the UK and South Africa following an initial rollout in December 2025. Additional launches are planned across Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia throughout 2026, with design agencies JKR, Studio.One, and Mischief helping bring the project to life.
Image courtesy of JKR and featured with permission
Image courtesy of JKR and featured with permission
Image courtesy of JKR and featured with permission
[via JKR Global, images courtesy and featured with permission]
