The Roots Beverage Co story
Meet the King of the Queen Bees
Little did our founder Jamie Blair know when he got a cocktail recipe book for his 21st birthday, that it would spark the idea to launch a range of healthy soft drinks and mixers in his parents’ Isle of Man home. But then he wasn’t your average 21-year-old.
The root of Roots
Jamie’s always been hugely passionate about health, fitness and nutrition, so when he flicked through the pages of his birthday present in early 2015, he wondered what it would take to make healthier alternatives to the delicious drinks.
His favourite soft drink is ginger beer – traditionally crammed with sugar – so he set about creating his own version, but using honey as a healthier sweetener.
More than just drinks
After brewing the first few batches in his parents’ utility room, Jamie knew the sugar substitute he was using was in increasingly short supply, due to the huge decline in honey bees in recent years.
So, with sustainability always at the heart of his entrepreneurial spirit, he launched a mission to protect the precious Isle of Man honey bee, by promising to reinvest 10% of profits into bee-related projects.
Expansion and Awards
From selling at food and drinks markets across the Isle of Man, and then into the Island’s shops and supermarkets, our drinks were so popular that we moved into a new, bigger home in Douglas, the Capital.
We now produce three different flavours of our low calorie drinks, and our Ginger Bee won a 2016 Great Taste Award – the Oscars of the foods world.
Into the UK
Jamie is excited about sharing his drinks and his message to the people of the UK, where you can help make a real difference to the environment. Find out where our 10% profit reinvestment goes.
