Meet the new Schweppes: The story of the brand-new look and taste

More than 230 years after Jacob Schweppe first arrived in London with his bottled bubbles, Schweppes is unveiling an elegant new bottle and a range of natural-flavoured tonics. We take a look at where it all began and the latest redesigned range for the Schweppes brand.

This year Schweppes is unveiling a brand new curvy bottle for its Schweppes Classic range, which will continue to be emblazoned with the label’s yellow sash.

The same bottle design has also been used for six new thirst-quenching mixers in a range called Schweppes 1783 – a new range of premium mixers developed in partnership with some of the world’s top mixologists. The new-look Schweppes Classic and the arrival of Schweppes 1783 are part of a multi-million-pound investment in the brand.

The original bottle

The new Schweppes design, which was revealed for the first time at London Cocktail Week in early October, is modelled on the original Schweppes ‘skittle’ bottle. Launched back in the late 18th century, it was an intricate and hands-on design, with the bottles blown and formed in a single piece. The original bottle had a unique pear shape, but there was no flat base as the bottle wasn’t intended to be stand upright. Instead, it was designed to lie on its side so the natural cork used as the bottle stopper would stay wet and in place. If it dried out, the cork would shrink, allowing the CO2 to escape, and causing the bubbles to disappear.

Curves make a comeback

In a nod to the original design, the curves have been reinstated for the new bottles, with a refined, modern edge. But there is a practical reason for the design, too – the Champagne-style shape helps create optimum effervescence and retain the ‘bite’ the brand is renowned for.

“Our new signature shaped skittle bottle will provide a premium exterior to the superior liquid and effervescence bottled inside,” notes Aedamar Howlett, Marketing Director at Coca-Cola Great Britain.

Tony Conigliaro, Drinks Expert at Schweppes and owner of Bar Termini in London, says: “Bubbles are the engine of a gin and tonic, and this is where Schweppes’ effervescence comes into its own – the quality of the bubbles ensures it’s the perfect engine to carry the taste, flavour, and aroma of the spirit it’s mixed with, right up until the end of the drink.”

The inventor of bubbles

Jacob Schweppe, a Swiss watchmaker with a keen interest in science, is regarded as the inventor of bubbles’. He created the world’s first bubbly drink by carbonating water. After patenting the process, he set up his own company in Geneva in 1783 and sold the innovative mineral water, before moving to London to develop the business. At first, it was reserved for the aristocracy and advocated by doctors for its medicinal benefits, but now Schweppes is a global brand enjoyed by millions.

Did you know…

• Customers referred to Schweppes as lightening in a bottle because it was the first bottle of its kind to retain carbonation.
• Schweppes received a warrant of appointment in 1836 from King William IV of England, which significantly contributed to the popularity of the growing brand.
• Schweppes was the official drink of the 1851 Great Exhibition held at Crystal Palace in London. The event made such an impact, the fountain still features on the logo today.
• In the 1950s ‘Schweppshire’ advertising campaign, spokesman Commander Edward Whitehead coined ‘schweppervescence’ to describe the bright, effervescent quality of Schweppes.
• Schweppes was the very first soft drink worldwide to be bottled in glass, starting in the 1780s

Find out more about the history of The Coca-Cola Company.