Innocent drinks
Innocent drinks is a London-based company best known for its smoothies, juices, and plant-based milks that combine taste with a mission to do good. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1999, the brand has grown from a small food and drink stall at a music festival into a global name, with products sold across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates. With a focus on healthy drinks, fair trade sourcing, and reducing environmental impact, Innocent positions itself as a business built around caring for people and the planet, while adding a playful touch through its famous little hat campaign.
Full name: Innocent Drinks Ltd.
Founded: 1999
Founders: Richard Reed, Adam Balon, and Jon Wright
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Peak Era: Late 2000s to 2010s, with rapid European expansion and eventual majority acquisition by Coca-Cola in 2013
Industry: Food and Drink (non-alcoholic beverages)
Service: Production and distribution of smoothies, juices, coconut water, plant-based milks, and other healthy drinks across the UK, Europe, and international markets (including the United Arab Emirates)
All you need to know about Innocent Drinks
- Food and Drink Roots in the United Kingdom
Innocent Drinks began in the United Kingdom in 1999 when three friends from Cambridge started blending fruit into smoothies at a music festival. They asked customers whether they should quit their jobs to make healthy drinks full-time, and the “yes” votes in their bin kicked off the business.
- Innocent’s Products
The company now makes a wide variety of innocents products—from fruit smoothies and juices to super smoothies with vegetables, fair trade coconut water, and dairy-free plant milks like oat and almond. 1.Their goal is to make food and drink that tastes good and does good.
- People and the Planet
A big part of Innocent’s mission is caring for people and the planet. They donate 10% of profits to charities through the Innocent Foundation, supporting farming communities and poverty-reduction projects. Their famous little hat campaign (“The Big Knit”) raises money for Age UK by placing knitted hats on smoothie bottles, with each hat generating a donation.
- Sustainability impact
Innocent openly talks about its environmental impact. They became a certified B Corp in 2018 and are working toward 100% renewable or recycled packaging by 2030. Their new Rotterdam factory, “The Blender,” runs on clean energy and aims to deliver a positive eco footprint by lowering carbon emissions.
- Fair Trade and Sourcing
Innocent also works with fair trade suppliers and sustainable farms to source their fruit responsibly, ensuring farmers receive fair pay and better working conditions.
- Global Reach: United Arab Emirates and Beyond
While their roots are in the United Kingdom, Innocent is now sold across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East—including the United Arab Emirates, where the demand for refreshing and healthy drinks continues to grow.
- Values & Social Impact
Innocent Drinks is built on a mission to care for people and the planet. They are a certified B Corp, donate 10% of profits to charity through the Innocent Foundation, and support fair trade farming communities. Their famous “little hat” campaign raises millions for Age UK, while their Rotterdam factory (“The Blender”) is designed for a positive impact on the environment, powered by renewable energy and aiming for carbon neutrality. Innocent is also committed to circular packaging—using recycled plastics and striving for 100% renewable or recycled bottles by 2030.
Interesting Facts About Innocent Drinks
Beyond smoothies and juices, Innocent Drinks has plenty of quirky stories and surprising details. From the way they crush fruit into super smoothies to their famous little hat campaign, the brand mixes fun with a serious commitment to people and the planet. Here are some fun facts about their products, success, and positive environmental impact.
- From Crush Fruit to Smoothies
The very first Innocent recipe was incredibly simple—just crush fruit, blend it up, and serve. That no-additives approach became the foundation of Innocent’s reputation for healthy drinks.
- Super Smoothies for an Extra Boost
Among innocents products, one of the most popular ranges is their super smoothies, which mix fruit with vegetables, seeds, and added vitamins. These drinks are designed to give an extra nutritional punch while still tasting great.
- A Food and Drink Icon in the United Kingdom
Though now a global name, Innocent Drinks is still one of the most recognized food and drink brands in the United Kingdom, with a playful image and a strong reputation for quality.
- The Little Hat Campaign
Innocent’s famous little hat initiative, known as The Big Knit, has raised millions for Age UK. Each knitted hat placed on a smoothie bottle leads to a donation, showing how fun ideas can also care for people and the planet.
- Environmental Impact at the Core
The company is transparent about its impact on the environment. With its Rotterdam factory powered by renewable energy, Innocent aims for a positive environmental impact by cutting carbon emissions and using fully recyclable packaging by 2030.
- Fair Trade Sourcing
To make sure farmers are treated fairly, Innocent works closely with fair trade suppliers. This ensures long-term sustainability while supporting farming communities around the world.
- Refreshing Coconut Water
Beyond smoothies, Innocent also offers coconut water, giving consumers a naturally hydrating drink sourced responsibly to align with its sustainability goals.
- Global Success, Including the United Arab Emirates
While it started in a London market stall, Innocent has expanded internationally, with strong sales across Europe and even the United Arab Emirates, where healthy drinks are in high demand due to the warm climate.
- Reviews and Success
Innocent regularly receives positive reviews for both taste and ethics. Consumers often praise its playful branding, fresh flavors, and the company’s efforts to balance business success with responsibility to people and the planet.