Hip Pop’s Vibrant Rebrand by Robot Food Ushers in a Bold Era for Soft Drinks

In an ambitious move that redefines the identity of modern kombucha and alternative sodas, Hip Pop has undergone a dramatic rebrand, emerging with a bold new visual language and voice that flips the health drinks category on its head. This strategic reinvention, led by the Leeds-based branding agency Robot Food, signals Hip Pop’s evolution from a niche indie beverage brand into a mainstream lifestyle leader that champions realness, energy, and unapologetic Northern attitude.

Originally launched in Manchester in 2019 by founders Kenny and Emma Thackray, Hip Pop quickly carved out a loyal following for its uniquely brewed, gut-friendly kombucha infused with vivid flavors and functional benefits. However, as the wellness beverage space became increasingly saturated with muted tones, cliché buzzwords, and overly sanctimonious messaging, it became clear that Hip Pop needed a fresh, disruptive presence—one that echoed its true essence and positioned it to lead, not follow.

The result is a comprehensive reimagining of the brand that touches every element—from logo and packaging to tone of voice and strategic messaging. The new identity is not just a visual facelift; it represents a deeper philosophical shift. Hip Pop is no longer marketing itself as a healthy drink you should have, but as an authentic beverage you’ll want to grab. It appeals to those who seek real experiences, lively moments, and a genuine connection to what they consume.

Repositioning the Brand: From Health-First to Life-First

In a soft drinks landscape dominated by sterile packaging and wellness clichés, Hip Pop's bold repositioning is a refreshing departure. With its new platform, ‘Best Enjoyed Live’, the brand redefines itself not as a functional health drink, but as a vibrant lifestyle companion. This shift goes far beyond surface-level design. It’s a total recalibration of brand philosophy, messaging, and consumer connection, signaling a departure from traditional wellness-centric branding and embracing a more authentic, real-world resonance.

The concept of ‘Best Enjoyed Live’ isn’t a catchy tagline; it’s the embodiment of Hip Pop’s evolving identity. The brand now places greater value on lived experience than aspirational health narratives. It encourages consumers to embrace spontaneity, imperfection, and energy—qualities often neglected in a wellness industry obsessed with control, routine, and self-discipline. The beverage is no longer framed as a tool for transformation but as a companion for celebration.

Where many kombucha brands focus on detoxification, purity, or balance, Hip Pop turns its attention to joy, freedom, and cultural relevance. The drinks are no longer accessories to a restrictive lifestyle—they are symbols of presence and participation. From open-air music festivals to crowded underground gigs, park picnics, and midweek supermarket runs, Hip Pop is made to amplify real moments, not moralize them.

By stepping away from self-improvement rhetoric, the brand directly taps into a consumer mindset that’s increasingly skeptical of perfection. People want brands that reflect their values, their chaos, and their humor—not ones that talk down to them with buzzwords and bland promises. Hip Pop’s brand evolution demonstrates a deep understanding of this cultural shift and uses it to connect on a more visceral level.

Speaking to the Culture: Real Life Over Idealized Wellness

The wellness beverage category has long been populated by brands peddling an idealized version of health—one that's clean, minimalist, and often unattainably serene. These drinks live in curated Instagram feeds, framed by white space and gentle fonts. But in reality, life is rarely so neat. That’s where Hip Pop draws the line and confidently crosses over into the realm of culture-first branding.

The decision to reframe the product as a lifestyle drink rather than a medicinal beverage reflects a more inclusive, democratic approach. Kombucha isn’t just for yoga studios and wellness influencers anymore—it’s for commuters, creatives, artists, students, parents, and anyone who wants something delicious and genuine in their hand without feeling judged.

By foregrounding lifestyle over lifestyle correction, Hip Pop reclaims kombucha from the restrictive silos of diet and health culture. It pushes against the idea that drinks need to be clinical or overly informative to be credible. Instead, it leverages cultural intelligence, local pride, and real-world relevance. The Manchester-based brand doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not—it leans into its roots, its accent, and its audience with unapologetic flavor.

This shift also opens the brand to wider demographics. The health-conscious elite is no longer the only target market. With a voice that feels inclusive, cheeky, and full of charisma, Hip Pop appeals equally to the curious soda drinker and the kombucha enthusiast. It's a more relaxed and enjoyable take on functional beverages—one that doesn't feel like a chore.

The brand’s cultural attunement allows it to stay flexible and adaptive. It can show up in unexpected spaces—music festivals, pop-up markets, independent venues, even art galleries—because its identity is dynamic, not static. That’s a significant edge in a category where most products feel bound by context and tone.

Creating a Connection Through Human-Centric Messaging

Perhaps the most distinctive element of Hip Pop’s repositioning lies in how it speaks. There’s a shift from instruction to interaction—from authority to camaraderie. Robot Food's creative team crafted a tone of voice that echoes the brand’s Northern heritage, mixing wit, warmth, and a bit of dry sarcasm. It doesn't ask for admiration; it invites participation.

The messaging system cuts through the white noise of health marketing with lines that feel human and effortlessly relevant. Rather than preaching the microbiome benefits or lecturing on probiotics, Hip Pop says things like “pop that won’t preach”—a succinct expression of its philosophy. It recognizes that people already know the benefits of kombucha; what they need is a reason to enjoy it without baggage.

Every phrase, from can copy to social captions, is grounded in conversation rather than corporate lingo. It speaks how people speak—short, sharp, and a little playful. This alignment with everyday language builds immediate trust, something especially important in a category where overpromising is common.

This verbal identity doesn’t just exist on the surface; it’s embedded in the brand DNA. It allows Hip Pop to stay consistent across platforms and channels, creating a sense of familiarity wherever it appears. Whether a consumer is engaging with the brand in-store, online, or at an event, the experience remains cohesive and compelling.

By choosing to talk with people rather than at them, Hip Pop positions itself as a friend in the fridge, not a brand on a pedestal. That emotional resonance is a powerful asset, especially in a market saturated with brands chasing wellness trends instead of building genuine relationships.

Empowering New Consumers and Challenging Old Norms

This repositioning also disrupts the embedded hierarchy within the health beverage market. Kombucha, often seen as a niche or even intimidating product, becomes something fun, lighthearted, and approachable. That democratization is vital to attracting new consumers who may have previously felt alienated by kombucha's often elitist aura.

Hip Pop becomes an entry point for those who’ve never tried fermented drinks, or who assumed kombucha wasn’t "for them." It lowers the barrier to trial with its friendly branding, and once in the consumer’s hand, it wins with its flavor-forward formulas and energizing aesthetic.

The product itself hasn’t changed—what’s different is how it’s presented, and how that presentation expands its cultural cachet. The rebrand signals that kombucha can coexist with modern culture, can be enjoyed casually, and doesn’t need to be accompanied by a lecture about gut flora to have value.

This shift in perception is not just a short-term tactic—it lays the groundwork for future brand expansion. With its lifestyle-first positioning, Hip Pop now has the flexibility to move beyond drinks and into cultural initiatives, experiences, and even new product categories. It can stretch without snapping because its core is about energy, not rules.

Most importantly, the repositioning reflects a deeper brand truth: Hip Pop is for people who live in the now. It doesn’t shy away from messiness or imperfection. Instead, it celebrates the richness of real life—sweaty gigs, loud laughter, spilled drinks, and spontaneous nights. It stands as a counterpoint to the overly curated health products that dominate the shelves, inviting people to drink better without needing to be better.

A Visual Identity That Demands Attention

Hip Pop’s visual transformation marks a radical break from the aesthetic conventions that have long defined the health drinks category. In a marketplace overwhelmed with muted colorways, handwritten typefaces, and calming, health-evoking graphics, the brand's new identity—developed by the creative minds at Robot Food—feels like a clarion call. It announces, rather than whispers. It challenges convention while remaining grounded in strategic purpose.

Previously, Hip Pop’s visual system followed the safe paths typical of indie kombucha players—minimalist layouts, pastel hues, and overt references to gut health. While visually pleasing, the earlier design did little to distinguish the brand in an increasingly competitive retail environment. Recognizing this visual sameness, the rebrand set out to establish Hip Pop as a challenger not only in product formulation but in identity and shelf presence.

What emerged is a dramatically different approach—one that centers visual clarity, punchy aesthetics, and lifestyle cues that appeal to a broader and more dynamic audience. From packaging to digital assets, the new identity speaks the same language as its drinkers: expressive, vibrant, and completely unfiltered.

Unorthodox Packaging with High-Impact Personality

One of the most powerful tools in Hip Pop’s updated brand arsenal is its packaging design. Gone are the delicate wellness graphics and pale backgrounds. In their place is a commanding black base—a color choice rarely embraced in the health drink sector, yet one that instantly elevates Hip Pop from the cluttered shelf. This deep canvas acts as the perfect foil for the explosive color palette used to differentiate flavors and product lines. Each variety is marked by a unique color accent, instantly conveying taste and personality through visual storytelling.

This contrast-centric design accomplishes two critical goals. First, it captures attention in seconds—a vital feature in high-traffic retail settings. Second, it delivers intuitive flavor recognition. Consumers can scan the shelf quickly and find their favorite without deciphering wellness jargon or squinting at ornate labels. It’s drink identification at the speed of desire.

Alongside the visual overhaul, the team introduced bespoke fruit illustrations that ooze with dynamism. These aren't generic images lifted from stock libraries; they feel handcrafted yet contemporary, alive with movement and zest. The visuals manage to walk a fine line between fun and premium, offering aesthetic appeal without falling into the trap of looking cartoonish or juvenile.

Packaging isn’t just functional in this new ecosystem—it’s emotional. It’s designed to make you feel something. Whether that’s excitement, nostalgia, or curiosity, each can of Hip Pop becomes a miniature billboard of energy and flavor. And that resonance is what sticks with consumers long after they’ve taken their last sip.

Typography and Structure That Amplify the Brand

The typography system plays a pivotal role in the identity refresh. Robot Food developed a custom wordmark that delivers both structural elegance and unexpected flair. The brand name, split across two clean lines—Hip above Pop—is not just a stylistic decision, but a strategic one. This bifurcated layout creates a sense of rhythm and compact symmetry, giving the logo a geometric boldness that enhances legibility and visual impact.

Within this mark, particular attention was paid to the ‘O’—a nuanced design feature that offers a nod to the brand’s kombucha heritage. It hints subtly at fermentation and gut health without lapsing into clinical or overused tropes. It’s clever without being self-indulgent, anchoring the wordmark with meaning and depth.

This typographic identity extends across all brand materials. Whether used in digital headers, event signage, or merchandise, the typeface remains unmistakably Hip Pop: bold, modern, confident. It’s the kind of typographic system that doesn’t just support the brand—it propels it forward.

The use of negative space, generous margins, and purposeful alignment throughout the packaging and marketing materials lends an editorial feel to the brand. It feels designed, not decorated. These decisions create an aesthetic language that’s premium without being exclusive, energetic without being chaotic.

Flexibility Across Touchpoints and Environments

A crucial test for any new visual identity is its versatility. In Hip Pop’s case, the rebrand was designed not just for cans and cartons, but for an entire ecosystem of engagement. From Instagram stories to retail refrigerator wraps, point-of-sale displays to outdoor billboards, the brand’s visual system flexes effortlessly across both digital and physical spaces.

Animation plays a significant role in the digital realm, where motion graphics help bring the fizzy, lively nature of the product to life. Elements bounce, fizz, and swirl in rhythm with the brand’s core message—best enjoyed live. This sense of movement reinforces the product’s dynamic spirit and appeals strongly to consumers browsing online platforms where static visuals no longer suffice.

The identity also translates beautifully into physical activations. Pop-up stalls, branded fridges, co-branded event posters, and apparel all reflect the same high-energy design language, creating a sense of continuity regardless of context. Every branded element feels like an invitation to engage, rather than a billboard shouting for attention.

Retail presence, too, has seen a boost. The bold color choices and layered illustrations make Hip Pop easy to spot, whether in a crowded supermarket or a curated boutique food store. In many ways, the packaging acts as a self-contained retail theatre—telling a story, catching a gaze, and turning curiosity into conversion.

Visual Branding That Mirrors Brand Philosophy

What makes Hip Pop’s new visual identity so compelling is how directly it aligns with the brand’s overarching philosophy. This isn’t design for design’s sake. Every stroke, shade, and symbol is anchored in strategy. The brand’s ethos—celebrating the messiness, joy, and rawness of life—is made tangible through its visual language.

Black, as a dominant color, speaks to the confidence of the brand. It avoids the soft-focus, airbrushed look that’s become so prevalent among health beverages. Instead, it asserts presence. It’s not asking for permission—it’s already here.

The colorful accents and dynamic illustrations reflect the product itself: vibrant, flavorful, and full of character. They evoke the effervescence of fermented drinks and the boldness of Hip Pop’s combinations—elements that feel energetic, immediate, and real.

Typography brings structure to this visual energy. The layout and form create a sense of reliability and trust, even as the surrounding visuals explode with personality. It’s a careful balancing act between order and spontaneity, one that mirrors the way consumers want to live: freely, but with authenticity.

This visual identity doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s part of a brand ecosystem that invites you to live more vividly, to drink more boldly, and to engage more honestly. It doesn’t preach health benefits—it assumes you already care. What it gives you is flavor, experience, and connection. And that’s why it sticks.

Voice with Bite: Refreshingly Straight-Talking

Hip Pop’s brand reinvention is more than skin-deep. While its visual transformation is bold and high-impact, its verbal identity is equally provocative, cutting through the clutter of an increasingly self-serious health drinks market. Developed in collaboration with creative agency Robot Food, Hip Pop’s voice is distinct, unmistakable, and grounded in unvarnished truth. It doesn’t ask for attention; it earns it—with humor, honesty, and just the right dose of irreverence.

This isn’t the soft, whispery language of traditional wellness brands. It’s not about promising enlightenment in a bottle or telling you how to live your best life. Instead, Hip Pop speaks like someone you’d actually want to hang out with—direct, witty, and entirely human. It’s built on Northern roots, reflecting the straightforward, no-nonsense charm that defines the region’s character. And that foundation becomes a powerful asset in today’s saturated beverage landscape, where authenticity can make or break brand loyalty.

At the heart of this approach is a commitment to clear, sharp messaging. Whether it’s stamped on the side of a can, printed on a point-of-sale display, or scrolling past in your social feed, Hip Pop’s copy doesn’t dance around the point. It gets in, delivers its punchline or promise, and gets out. And that approach is refreshing in more ways than one.

A Language That Speaks to the People

One of the most distinctive elements of Hip Pop’s tone of voice is its cultural fluency. This isn’t a brand trying to mimic its audience—it is its audience. The words it uses, the rhythm of its phrasing, even the cheeky undertones all feel effortless because they’re grounded in lived experience rather than trend analysis.

Phrases like “Pop that won’t preach” or “No fluff, just fizz” capture the brand’s ethos in just a few words. They’re compact, memorable, and bursting with personality. These expressions tell consumers everything they need to know about what the product stands for—without ever sounding like marketing.

Importantly, this type of messaging appeals to a consumer base that’s increasingly cynical about brands trying too hard to be “authentic.” Today’s shoppers, especially Gen Z and younger Millennials, can sniff out performative branding from a mile away. What they crave is realness—flaws, quirks, humor, and all. Hip Pop taps into this sensibility with a tone that feels familiar, but still novel enough to turn heads.

By opting for a voice that is confident but never arrogant, spirited but never chaotic, Hip Pop positions itself as a brand you can relate to—whether you’re discovering kombucha for the first time or you're already a fan of gut-friendly drinks but tired of the preachy positioning that usually accompanies them.

Writing That Works Across Every Touchpoint

The strength of Hip Pop’s verbal identity lies in its adaptability. It maintains a consistent personality whether it's speaking from a 330ml can or an Instagram carousel. That consistency builds trust—and trust builds brands.

On packaging, the voice is compact, informative, and always laced with flavor. Product descriptions might highlight bold taste combinations or natural ingredients, but they’re always delivered in a tone that feels like banter rather than a pitch. You’re not reading a textbook on gut health—you’re being talked to by someone who’s done the research and just wants to share what’s good.

On social media, the tone gets a bit more playful. Puns, punchlines, and pop-culture references are fair game, but they’re used judiciously. The copy never veers into try-hard territory, which is key for a brand that wants to feel embedded in culture rather than simply commenting on it.

In-store displays and promotional materials stay true to the brand’s roots. They don’t promise miracle cures or overstate the benefits. Instead, they focus on the immediacy of the experience. The flavor. The fizz. The moment of joy. That’s what Hip Pop sells—and the language it uses makes that perfectly clear.

Even in its press communications and brand storytelling, Hip Pop refuses to overinflate its message. It doesn’t posture or pose. It invites, nudges, and entertains. And that makes all the difference in an industry where sincerity often gets lost beneath layers of jargon.

Breaking the Wellness Mould with Humor and Humanity

Wellness branding has traditionally taken itself very seriously. From airy typography and gentle pastels to messaging that feels more like therapy than marketing, it has created an aesthetic of purity and detachment. But for a growing segment of consumers, that approach feels tone-deaf to the realities of everyday life.

Hip Pop disrupts that norm by reintroducing personality into a category that desperately needs it. Its voice embraces chaos over control, celebration over correction. It understands that people drink kombucha not just for what it does to their body, but for how it fits into their lifestyle. That’s why the brand doesn’t lecture—it listens. And then it answers back with wit.

This sense of humor is never forced. It’s rooted in the brand’s origins, particularly its Northern England heritage. The dry wit, the sardonic observations, the casual irreverence—they’re all part of a cultural fabric that feels genuine and earned. In other words, Hip Pop isn’t funny because it tries to be; it’s funny because it is.

And this humor serves a deeper function than entertainment—it humanizes the brand. It turns what could be another faceless beverage company into something you might want to follow on social media, recommend to a friend, or bring to a party. It gives the product emotional texture, which is increasingly essential in a world where consumers choose brands as much for their personality as for their product.

A Verbal Identity Built for the Long Run

The real strength of Hip Pop’s tone of voice lies in its longevity. Trends in branding come and go, but a clear, confident, human tone remains effective no matter the medium or moment. Hip Pop’s verbal identity isn’t just a launch campaign—it’s a foundation for years of communication to come.

As the brand grows—into new markets, new product lines, and potentially new categories—its tone offers a flexible yet firm platform. Whether Hip Pop is launching in the U.S., collaborating with musicians or artists, or hosting experiential events, it can speak in the same voice and still feel fresh.

That continuity is crucial for building brand equity. When people know what to expect from you—not just in terms of product, but in how you make them feel—they’re more likely to remember you, choose you, and stick with you. Hip Pop’s voice creates that continuity. It’s the glue that binds the visual identity to the product experience.

Real Results from a Real Brand

The transformation of Hip Pop isn’t just a visual or tonal exercise—it’s a tangible shift with demonstrable outcomes. Since the rebrand officially launched in February, Hip Pop has moved beyond the status of indie startup and confidently stepped into the mainstream spotlight. By refocusing its identity around cultural relevance, bold design, and authentic storytelling, the brand has not only generated buzz but driven measurable commercial impact.

Retailers and consumers alike have responded to the refreshed personality with enthusiasm. In a market teeming with formulaic wellness brands, Hip Pop’s unapologetically direct voice and commanding presence on-shelf have made it easier for store buyers to understand, promote, and sell. The visual distinction and lifestyle-led message have proven critical in improving planogram visibility and simplifying the category navigation for shoppers who may otherwise skip over unfamiliar health drinks.

This isn’t a superficial refresh. The rebrand has redefined how the brand performs, where it plays, and how people perceive it. The changes have reinvigorated the business from the inside out and created a brand platform with staying power.

Momentum in Retail and Beyond

One of the most immediate impacts of the rebrand has been a significant increase in retail partnerships. Hip Pop has expanded its footprint in both national and regional chains, including premium grocers, lifestyle retailers, and independent stockists that previously hesitated to stock functional drinks. The bold packaging and consumer-friendly tone have eliminated many of the barriers associated with kombucha and other fermented drinks, which often intimidate newcomers with overly scientific or virtue-signaling branding.

This new accessibility has translated into shelf growth, with multiple stockists increasing their order volumes and allocating more space to Hip Pop products in cooler units and freestanding displays. The redesign has made the brand a more compelling addition to curated shelves, and its consistent visual identity across flavors has streamlined merchandising efforts.

Retailers have also benefited from simplified communication. The product now speaks for itself. With clear flavor cues, a consistent voice, and distinctive can designs, staff training and consumer guidance have become more intuitive. These operational efficiencies—paired with strong sales performance—have made Hip Pop an attractive brand to scale in-store.

Alongside physical expansion, e-commerce channels have witnessed impressive growth. Online orders are up, cart values are higher, and repeat purchases are increasing. This growth is attributed not only to the enhanced product visibility but also to the brand’s stronger storytelling. Visitors are spending more time engaging with the site and content, with email signups and subscription purchases climbing steadily since launch.

Engaging the Audience Through Connection, Not Clichés

One of the most vital achievements of the rebrand lies in the way it has reshaped Hip Pop’s relationship with its audience. Historically, kombucha brands have leaned heavily on functional claims—gut health, probiotics, detoxifying properties—to justify their presence. While these benefits are scientifically supported and important, they often result in sterile, forgettable communication that fails to resonate emotionally.

Hip Pop’s pivot to lifestyle-centric storytelling has breathed fresh life into its narrative. Now, instead of prescribing wellness routines, the brand invites consumers to celebrate everyday experiences. The tone is cheeky, self-aware, and culturally literate. This new positioning hasn’t just attracted the health-conscious consumer—it’s also bringing in people who may have never considered trying kombucha.

From university students looking for non-alcoholic alternatives to co-working professionals searching for a midday boost, Hip Pop is capturing the interest of modern drinkers who value flavor, vibe, and individuality just as much as ingredients. The visual energy of the packaging—combined with its irreverent tone—gives the product a “grab-me” quality that’s hard to ignore.

Social media performance reflects this shift. Engagement rates have climbed across platforms. Posts that previously performed modestly now receive strong interactions, shares, and user comments. More importantly, the content feels alive. It’s not just product photos—it’s gifs, playlists, snappy one-liners, and community shoutouts. The brand has successfully built a voice that behaves like a person rather than a corporate entity.

This emotional resonance has also driven a surge in user-generated content. Consumers are sharing their own photos of Hip Pop in natural settings—picnics, band nights, road trips—and tagging the brand. The packaging has become visually iconic enough to stand out in these environments, and the voice aligns well with the spontaneity of real life.

Brand Health Indicators Pointing Upward

With its reimagined identity, Hip Pop now functions not only as a product line but as a platform for community, culture, and future innovation. Brand equity—measured through sentiment analysis, return purchase rate, and organic search volume—has all trended upward. Consumers are not only more aware of the brand, but more engaged with its world.

Online reviews offer more than just star ratings—they often include anecdotes. Buyers mention the boldness of the can, the humor on the label, the way the drink made them feel included rather than judged. These micro-moments of connection are rare in the health drink space and signal a deeper kind of brand loyalty. People aren’t just buying Hip Pop—they’re rooting for it.

Collaborations and event opportunities have also expanded. The brand is now being approached for partnerships ranging from music festivals and pop-ups to branded content with creators whose audiences overlap with Hip Pop’s irreverent, high-energy vibe. These activations are perfectly aligned with the “Best Enjoyed Live” mantra that runs through the heart of the rebrand.

Crucially, the new brand identity has created scalability. It doesn’t limit Hip Pop to just one type of customer or channel. It opens the door for innovation across categories—perhaps future product lines like hard kombucha, non-alcoholic cocktail mixers, or even branded cultural events. The language and visual system are robust enough to evolve while retaining a strong and recognizable personality.

The decision to move away from over-explaining health benefits and focus instead on lived experience has liberated the brand. Consumers already assume a baseline of quality—they want to be surprised, entertained, and understood. Hip Pop’s new approach delivers all three, making it a rare example of a rebrand that hits both creatively and commercially.

Setting the Stage for Long-Term Growth

Hip Pop’s recent success demonstrates how strategic brand reinvention can do more than refresh a look—it can unlock entirely new business trajectories. By aligning its tone, visuals, and messaging around what today’s consumers actually value—authenticity, levity, cultural relevance—the brand has positioned itself not just for current wins, but sustained evolution.

As functional beverage trends continue to expand, the brands that will lead aren’t necessarily those with the most scientific backing or sleekest aesthetics, but those that feel human, lived-in, and emotionally accessible. Hip Pop now lives in that rare space where product quality, personality, and cultural credibility intersect.

The journey isn’t over, but the results so far speak volumes. Increased retail presence, online growth, media interest, and social traction all point to a brand in healthy acceleration. And as the product finds its way into more hands, fridges, and moments, it’s clear that Hip Pop is no longer just a challenger—it’s becoming a fixture.

The brand's real achievement is not just gaining customers but building advocates. People who talk about Hip Pop not because of probiotics, but because it makes them smile. In an industry full of rigid rules and aspirational distance, Hip Pop is proof that there’s real power in being proudly, refreshingly real.

Preparing to Go Global: Hip Pop’s Next Chapter

As the brand continues to build momentum in the UK, the team at Hip Pop is already setting its sights further afield. Plans are underway to introduce the brand into the U.S. market—a move that could catapult Hip Pop onto the international stage. Given the growing demand for authentic, functional beverages that don’t take themselves too seriously, Hip Pop’s candid approach is likely to resonate strongly with American audiences, particularly in urban centers where culture and community drive consumer choices.

But the ambitions don’t stop with drinks. The brand is preparing to step beyond its core offerings into the lifestyle and experience space. Think pop-up gigs, brand collaborations, limited-edition merchandise, and immersive events that reflect the vibrant personality of Hip Pop. These activations will bring the brand to life in new ways and deepen its cultural footprint.

As Stacey puts it, “Hip Pop is building more than a drink—it’s building a movement. One that’s as real as the people who drink it.”

Final Thoughts

Hip Pop’s bold rebrand is more than a marketing overhaul—it’s a cultural statement. In a world increasingly jaded by overly polished wellness narratives and brands that prioritize aesthetics over authenticity, Hip Pop stands out by choosing truth, flavor, and fun over fluff. With Robot Food’s creative vision, the brand has thrown out the wellness rulebook and rewritten its story around real moments, real people, and real experiences.

What makes this transformation particularly powerful is its alignment with deeper consumer shifts. Today’s audiences—especially younger generations—are craving honesty in branding. They don’t just want products that promise to "fix" them; they want brands that get them. Hip Pop has tapped into this desire, and in doing so, it has managed to make kombucha feel inclusive, accessible, and genuinely enjoyable—without the need for lofty health claims or pretentious design cues.

The success of the rebrand lies in how holistic it is. Every element—from the daring black packaging and punchy fruit visuals to the sharp, self-aware copy—feels intentional. There’s a clear through-line of confidence and cohesion that not only modernizes Hip Pop’s look but makes the brand feel culturally relevant and emotionally resonant.

But perhaps what’s most exciting is what lies ahead. Hip Pop is now perfectly positioned to go beyond the beverage aisle and become a lifestyle brand with real cultural weight. Whether through collaborations, live experiences, or international expansion, the brand has room to grow without losing its Northern soul or its irreverent voice.

As the functional drinks market continues to evolve, Hip Pop offers a refreshing case study in how to lead without preaching, how to stand out without trying too hard, and how to connect without compromise. It proves that authenticity, when executed with clarity and creativity, is not just a trend—it’s a business advantage.

In a category obsessed with the next big superfood or wellness craze, Hip Pop’s message is refreshingly simple: be real, stay bold, and enjoy the ride—preferably with something fizzy in hand.

Back to blog

Other Blogs

Innovative and Beautiful Diwali Decor Ideas for a Festive Glow

Calendar Sizing Tips for Home and Office Organization

From Heartfelt to Fun: 20+ Father’s Day Activities & Celebration Ideas