Cape Town recently became the meeting point of heritage and modern drinking culture as Schweppes welcomed two of its global Pioneers, Millie Tang and Iain McPherson, to South Africa. Their visit marked the local launch of Schweppes’ new straight-drinking range, a refreshed visual identity and the return of the brand’s iconic Skittle bottle, a moment that felt less like a product reveal and more like a cultural reset for how we socialise today.
Founded in 1783, Schweppes is the world’s first sparkling drink, and for more than two centuries it has been woven into moments of connection, celebration and style. Now, as consumers rethink how and why they drink, Schweppes is stepping confidently into a new era. Across South Africa and globally, people are increasingly choosing beverages that deliver flavour, design and experience, with or without alcohol. It’s not about cutting back — it’s about choosing better.
That shift is visible the moment you see the new Schweppes cans. The brand’s refreshed global visual identity introduces shimmering metallic finishes in golds, teals, corals and blush pinks, anchored by the unmistakable saffron ribbon and bold black wordmark. It’s unmistakably Schweppes, yet unmistakably current, signalling a brand that understands today’s social rituals while remaining grounded in its legacy.
Millie Tang, a multi-award-winning bartender known for her creative, flavour-forward approach, experienced South Africa for the first time through this launch. From the moment she arrived, she was taken by the city. “It’s so nice,” she said. “The weather is beautiful, the views are incredible, and the food is super good as well.”
Tang’s path into bartending was unexpected, beginning as a way to support her photography work. “I started bartending so I could free up my days and work nights,” she explained. “But I got a job at a bar, fell in love with it, and I never left.” Fifteen years later, that instinctive decision has taken her around the world and into the Schweppes Pioneers programme. “It actually came about pretty out of the blue,” she said. “I was contacted by an agency in London, and everything happened really quickly. It was super exciting.”
That excitement translated naturally into her response to Schweppes’ new straight-drinking flavours. Asked to choose a favourite, she paused before laughing. “I think I like the tangerine best,” she admitted, “but I find the pineapple and coconut the most impressive.” For Tang, the appeal lies in the fact that the drinks are designed to be enjoyed exactly as they are, no mixing, no embellishment, just full flavour and sparkle.
She was equally captivated by the return of the Skittle bottle, seeing it for the first time during the South African leg of the tour. “They’re really beautiful and they feel very premium,” she said. “Someone described them as having a shape almost like a champagne bottle, and I really love that. They’re quite striking.”
Spending time in Johannesburg and Cape Town also gave Tang insight into local drinking culture. “One thing that really stood out is that when people drink here, they want to taste the alcohol,” she said. “If they don’t taste it, they think there’s nothing in it. That’s actually refreshing, because globally there’s a big focus on masking alcohol or drinking less. Here, you can be bolder with flavours, and there’s also a real love for tropical notes, which is so fun.”
That balance between boldness and heritage is something Iain McPherson understands deeply. The Edinburgh-based innovator, ranked number one on the Bar World 100, is widely regarded as one of the most influential minds in modern mixology. Describing himself as “a quarter of the Pioneers,” McPherson explained that each member brings a different strength. “I’m more into flavour techniques,” he said. “Someone once called me the Willy Wonka of the cocktail world, so I’ll take that.”
Despite his reputation for pushing boundaries, McPherson’s personal taste aligns perfectly with Schweppes’ straight-drinking philosophy. “My favourite drink is a tequila soda or a whisky soda,” he said. “I’ve always been a straight-drink person, so working with Schweppes just made sense.” When it comes to the new premium range, his verdict mirrored Tang’s. “It’s neck and neck between tangerine and pineapple coconut,” he said.
For McPherson, the return of the Skittle bottle is especially meaningful. “It’s very unique, no other brand has a bottle like it,” he explained. “But it’s also a nod to history. Originally, the Skittle bottle had to be laid flat because of how carbonation worked. Jacob Schweppe actually created commercial carbonation, so in many ways, every soft drink brand owes something to Schweppes.” Reintroducing the bottle, he believes, honours that innovation while presenting it in a way that feels relevant to a new generation.
The mutual respect between the two pioneers is clear. McPherson praised Tang for staying true to herself and not being driven by trends or pressure, while Tang highlighted McPherson’s relentless pursuit of innovation in an industry so deeply rooted in tradition. Together, their perspectives mirror what Schweppes is doing as a brand, respecting the past while confidently pushing forward.
At its core, Schweppes’ latest chapter is about recognising how social moments have evolved. People want drinks that look good on the table, taste exceptional and fit seamlessly into modern lifestyles. With its refreshed identity, premium straight-drinking flavours, Pineapple Coconut, Pomegranate and Tangerine, and the return of the iconic Skittle bottle, Schweppes is reaffirming its place in today’s social culture.
Now available in stores nationwide, the new Schweppes range proves that sparkle, sophistication and flavour don’t need to be complicated, just thoughtfully crafted.
