About Innocent
Innocent Drinks: The UK's Favourite Smoothie Brand Introduction to Innocent Innocent Drinks stands as one of Britain's most beloved and recognisable beverage brands, transforming the way the nation thinks about fruit drinks since its founding in 1999. From humble beginnings at a music festival to becoming a household name selling over two million smoothies per week, Innocent has maintained its commitment to simple, natural ingredients whilst growing into a company that operates across more than thirty countries. The brand name itself encapsulates the company's philosophy: innocent products contain nothing artificial, no added sugar, no concentrates, and no preservatives. Just pure crushed fruit and vegetables in a bottle. This straightforward approach to nutrition has resonated powerfully with British consumers increasingly concerned about what they eat and drink. At Grocefully, we help you compare Innocent prices across UK supermarkets, ensuring you can enjoy these quality smoothies and juices at the best available prices. Whether you're looking for everyday smoothies, super smoothies with added nutrition, or plant-based alternatives, price comparison makes healthy choices more accessible. The Innocent Story: From Festival Stall to National Institution The founding story of Innocent has become something of a British business legend, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit and genuine passion that characterises the best start-up tales. Three Friends with a Dream Innocent was founded by three Cambridge University graduates who met at St John's College: Richard Reed, Adam Balon, and Jon Wright. Despite their academic credentials and promising career prospects, the trio shared a conviction that they could build something meaningful in the food and drink industry. In 1998, after spending six months perfecting smoothie recipes and investing five hundred pounds in fruit, the three friends decided to test their concept in the most direct way possible. They set up a stall at a London music festival and sold their homemade smoothies to festival-goers. The Yes/No Bin Decision What happened next has become one of British business's most celebrated moments of market research. The founders placed a simple question before their customers: should we quit our jobs to make smoothies? Two bins were provided for empty bottles — one marked "yes" and one marked "no." By the end of the festival, the "yes" bin was overflowing whilst the "no" bin contained just three cups. The next morning, all three founders went to work and resigned from their corporate jobs. First Sales and Early Growth The official first day of business came on 28th April 1999, when Jon Wright sold three cases of Innocent smoothies to their local sandwich bar, Out To Lunch, located across the road from their London office. This modest beginning marked the start of a journey that would transform the UK smoothie market. Early growth came through determination and direct selling. The founders loaded their car with smoothies and visited local shops, cafés, and delis, personally selling their products and explaining the Innocent philosophy. This grassroots approach built genuine relationships and established the authenticity that continues to define the brand. The Coca-Cola Relationship Innocent's relationship with The Coca-Cola Company represents one of the most discussed acquisitions in British food and drink history, raising important questions about what happens when ethical pioneers join global corporations. The Acquisition Timeline The partnership developed gradually over several years: April 2009 marked the beginning, when Innocent announced an agreement to sell a stake of ten to twenty percent to The Coca-Cola Company for thirty million pounds. Crucially, the three founders retained operational control of the business. April 2010 saw Coca-Cola increase its stake to fifty-eight percent from eighteen percent, paying approximately sixty-five million pounds. This deal involved Coca-Cola purchasing shares from Innocent's two original start-up investors who wished to retire. February 2013 brought the final stage, with Coca-Cola increasing its stake to over ninety percent, leaving the founders with a small minority holding. The deal reportedly valued Innocent at three hundred and twenty million pounds. Consumer Reaction The news of Coca-Cola's involvement provoked strong reactions among Innocent's loyal customer base. Social media erupted with comments like "You just killed your business!" and "I can't believe how angry I am!" Many consumers felt betrayed by what they perceived as a sell-out of the brand's ethical principles. Maintaining Independence Despite majority ownership by one of the world's largest beverage companies, Innocent has worked to maintain its independent character. Emilie Stephenson, who heads Innocent's "force for good" department in the UK, describes the relationship as "connected, not integrated." This independence manifests in practical ways. When Coca-Cola first took a stake, it offered Innocent its own floor at the company's London headquarters. The founders refused, preferring to maintain physical as well as operational distance. B Corporation Certification Perhaps the strongest evidence of Innocent's continued commitment to ethical business came in 2018 when the company earned B Corporation certification. This achievement required passing extremely rigorous assessment by B Lab, the certifying body, which exercises particular scrutiny over subsidiaries of large corporations. The fact that Innocent achieved B Corp status whilst owned by Coca-Cola, which is not itself a B Corp, demonstrates that meaningful ethical business practices can survive corporate acquisition — though not without deliberate effort and structural separation. Current Ownership and Operations Today, Innocent is over ninety percent owned by The Coca-Cola Company. The company operates from offices in London and sells products across Europe in more than thirty countries. Annual turnover exceeds three hundred million pounds, making Innocent one of the most successful British food and drink brands of the modern era. The Innocent Product Range Innocent's product portfolio has expanded significantly from the original smoothie recipes, whilst maintaining the brand's commitment to natural, no-nonsense ingredients. Classic Smoothies The original smoothie range remains Innocent's core product. Each smoothie consists of whole crushed fruit and juices, blended to create thick, satisfying drinks that count towards your five-a-day. Popular flavours include: Strawberries and Bananas — the classic combination that introduced many people to Innocent smoothies Mangoes and Passion Fruits — tropical flavours for those seeking something more exotic Gorgeous Greens — incorporating vegetables alongside fruit for increased nutritional density Berry combinations featuring blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries Some recipes incorporate additional ingredients like carrots and ginger, expanding flavour possibilities whilst maintaining the natural ingredient philosophy. Super Smoothies Launched in March 2014, Super Smoothies represent Innocent's response to consumer demand for functional nutrition. These enhanced smoothies blend fruits and vegetables with botanicals and crushed flax seeds, with added vitamins for specific health benefits. The Super Smoothie range addresses particular nutritional needs: Antioxidant formulations for cellular health Energy blends for natural vitality Defence smoothies for immune support Protein additions for fitness enthusiasts Super Smoothies command premium pricing reflecting their enhanced nutritional profiles, making price comparison particularly valuable for regular purchasers. Cold Press Juices In 2015, Innocent expanded into cold press fruit and vegetable juices, responding to growing consumer interest in this premium segment. Cold pressing preserves more nutrients than traditional juicing methods, though the process costs more and reduces shelf life. Innocent's cold press range brings the brand's no-compromise approach to this demanding category, offering genuine cold press products rather than the heat-pasteurised alternatives sold by some competitors. Kids' Drinks Innocent offers juice drinks specifically formulated for children, with appropriate portion sizes and child-friendly packaging. These products help parents provide nutritious options whilst avoiding the added sugars and artificial ingredients common in children's drinks. The kids' range includes smoothies and juices in smaller bottles designed for lunchboxes and on-the-go consumption, making healthy choices convenient for busy families. Not-From-Concentrate Juices Unlike many juice brands that reconstitute concentrated juice with water, Innocent's juice range uses not-from-concentrate (NFC) production. This approach preserves more of the fruit's original character and nutrition, though it costs more than concentrate-based alternatives. Orange juice remains the category leader, but Innocent offers various other fruit juices following the same NFC philosophy. Plant-Based Drinks In 2018, Innocent launched its first range of vegan nut and oat drinks, acknowledging the growing demand for dairy alternatives. The range includes: Almond drink for those seeking nut-based alternatives Hazelnut drink offering distinct flavour profiles Oat drink for those avoiding nuts or preferring grain-based options These plant-based products extend Innocent's natural ingredient philosophy into the dairy alternative category, offering options that avoid the additives common in some competing products. Innocent Bubbles For those seeking healthy alternatives to traditional fizzy drinks, Innocent Bubbles provides carbonated options. These drinks combine fruit juice with natural carbonation, offering the satisfaction of fizzy drinks without the added sugars and artificial ingredients of mainstream soft drinks. Bubbles represent Innocent's answer to the challenge of providing healthier options for consumers accustomed to carbonated beverages. Coconut Water Innocent's coconut water offerings capitalise on the natural hydration benefits of coconut water, which has gained popularity among health-conscious consumers and fitness enthusiasts. Pure and unflavoured, or combined with fruit for enhanced taste, these products provide natural electrolytes for hydration. Juicy Water Revamped in 2024 with a new look and taste, Innocent's Juicy Water range targets increasingly health-conscious consumers seeking flavoured water alternatives. These products provide subtle fruit flavour with minimal calories, bridging the gap between plain water and juice. The Innocent Philosophy: Making It Easy to Do Yourself Some Good Innocent's enduring appeal rests on a clearly articulated philosophy that shapes every aspect of the business. Natural Ingredients Only Since selling those first smoothies at a music festival in 1999, Innocent has maintained an unwavering commitment to natural ingredients. The company sources the tastiest fruit and vegetables available, puts them in a bottle, and never adds any "nonsense" like sugar or concentrates. This no-nonsense approach means reading Innocent ingredient lists proves refreshingly simple. Where many beverage labels feature lengthy lists of additives, stabilisers, and artificial ingredients, Innocent lists simply the fruits and vegetables in each bottle. Counting Towards Your Five-a-Day Innocent smoothies and juices contribute towards the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables that health authorities suggest. Whilst whole fruits and vegetables remain the ideal source, Innocent products provide convenient alternatives for busy consumers who might otherwise fall short. Each bottle clearly indicates how many portions it contains, helping consumers track their fruit and vegetable intake. Sustainable Sourcing Innocent works to source fruit sustainably, considering environmental and social impacts alongside quality. The company's sustainability initiatives address issues from agricultural practices to packaging, reflecting the broader ethical commitment that led to B Corp certification. 2024 Brand Refresh In 2024, Innocent undertook a significant packaging redesign across its entire product portfolio. The revamp affected products across eighteen markets, including juices, core smoothies, and super smoothie lines. This refresh aimed to strengthen brand identity whilst updating the visual presentation that had remained relatively unchanged for years. The redesign demonstrates Innocent's ongoing investment in brand development, ensuring the products remain appealing to new generations of consumers whilst maintaining recognition among existing loyalists. Shopping for Innocent Products in the UK Innocent products enjoy extensive distribution across UK retail channels, making price comparison valuable for regular purchasers. Supermarket Availability All major UK supermarkets stock Innocent products, though range depth varies: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons typically offer comprehensive selections including smoothies, juices, and specialty products. Premium retailers like Waitrose and M&S often stock wider ranges including newer product launches and premium lines like Super Smoothies. Discounters may offer limited Innocent products, typically focusing on core smoothie lines. Using Grocefully to compare Innocent prices across these retailers helps identify where specific products offer best value. Promotional patterns vary between retailers, so monitoring prices over time reveals optimal purchasing opportunities. Convenience Retail Innocent products appear extensively in convenience retail including: Petrol station forecourts, where single-serve smoothies provide healthy on-the-go options Coffee shops, where Innocent often serves as the preferred smoothie brand Express supermarket formats in urban areas Independent convenience stores and newsagents Pricing in convenience retail typically exceeds supermarket prices, making advance planning worthwhile for regular consumers. Food Service Beyond retail, Innocent supplies numerous food service outlets including: Restaurant chains offering healthy drink options Corporate catering services School and university catering Hospital and healthcare catering Wholesale pricing for food service generally undercuts retail, though minimum orders and account requirements limit accessibility for ordinary consumers. How Innocent Products Compare to Alternatives Understanding where Innocent sits in the market helps evaluate whether the premium pricing represents good value. Versus Own-Brand Smoothies Supermarket own-brand smoothies typically cost significantly less than Innocent equivalents. However, differences exist: Ingredient quality may vary, with own-brands sometimes using lower-grade fruit or more filler ingredients Recipe development at Innocent reflects decades of refinement, producing consistently excellent flavour Brand trust gives confidence about ingredient sourcing and quality control Some consumers prefer supporting independent brands even after corporate acquisition Versus Other Premium Brands Innocent competes with several other premium smoothie brands: Naked Juice (also Coca-Cola owned) offers similar positioning but different flavour profiles Various craft and artisan smoothie brands provide local or specialty alternatives Cold press juice brands compete in the premium segment Innocent's extensive distribution often makes it more accessible than smaller premium competitors. Versus Fresh or Homemade Making smoothies at home costs less per serving but requires: Purchasing fresh fruit, some of which may spoil before use Time for preparation and cleanup Investment in blending equipment Knowledge of effective fruit combinations For many consumers, Innocent's convenience justifies the premium over homemade alternatives, particularly for on-the-go consumption. Nutrition and Health Considerations Understanding Innocent products from a nutritional perspective helps consumers make informed choices. Natural Sugars Innocent products contain no added sugar, but fruit naturally contains fructose. A typical Innocent smoothie contains substantial natural sugars, which, whilst preferable to added sugars, still contribute significant calories. Health-conscious consumers should consider Innocent smoothies as nutritious treats rather than unlimited healthy options. The vegetable-forward Super Smoothies generally contain less sugar than fruit-only varieties. Fibre Content Smoothies retain more fibre than juices because they include crushed fruit pulp rather than just extracted juice. This fibre content helps slow sugar absorption and contributes to digestive health. However, even smoothies contain less fibre than eating whole fruit, where the complete cellular structure remains intact. Vitamins and Minerals Innocent products provide genuine nutritional benefits including vitamins A, C, and various B vitamins, plus minerals from the fruit and vegetables used. Super Smoothies with added vitamins offer enhanced nutritional profiles. These nutrients make Innocent products meaningful contributions to healthy diets, particularly for consumers who might otherwise consume less nutritious beverages. Portion Awareness Innocent has introduced smaller bottle sizes to encourage appropriate portion consumption. The company acknowledges that whilst its products are natural and nutritious, consuming excessive quantities provides more sugar and calories than desirable. Practical Tips for Innocent Shoppers Maximise value when purchasing Innocent products: Monitor Promotions Innocent products frequently feature in supermarket promotions. Multi-buy deals, temporary price reductions, and loyalty card offers can significantly reduce effective prices. Using Grocefully to track these promotions helps identify optimal purchasing moments. Consider Multipacks Multipack purchases generally offer better per-unit pricing than individual bottles. For households with regular Innocent consumption, buying multipacks when available reduces average costs. Check Date Codes Innocent products have limited shelf life compared to many beverages. Checking date codes ensures you receive products with maximum remaining freshness, particularly important when buying on promotion when stock may be older. Try Different Variants With extensive product ranges across smoothies, juices, and specialty products, exploring different Innocent options helps identify favourites. New product launches often receive introductory promotional pricing. Innocent's Environmental and Social Commitment Beyond B Corp certification, Innocent maintains various sustainability initiatives: Packaging Innovation Innocent has invested heavily in sustainable packaging, working to reduce plastic use and increase recycled content. The company's bottles increasingly incorporate recycled plastic, whilst carton products use responsibly sourced materials. Carbon Reduction The company works to reduce carbon emissions across its operations, from fruit sourcing through production to distribution. Whilst beverage production inevitably carries environmental impact, Innocent's efforts demonstrate commitment to minimising footprint. The Innocent Foundation Innocent donates ten percent of profits to charitable causes through the Innocent Foundation, supporting projects that help the world's hungry. This commitment has generated millions in charitable giving since establishment. Big Knit Campaign Innocent's annual Big Knit campaign, where volunteers knit miniature hats for smoothie bottles, raises funds for Age UK. This quirky initiative combines community engagement with charitable giving, exemplifying the brand's distinctive approach to corporate responsibility. Conclusion Innocent Drinks occupies a unique position in British food and drink culture. From three friends selling smoothies at a music festival to becoming a multinational brand owned by Coca-Cola, the company has navigated remarkable growth whilst maintaining meaningful commitment to quality and values. For British consumers, Innocent offers convenient access to nutritious, natural smoothies and juices across extensive retail distribution. Whilst premium pricing reflects genuine quality differences versus budget alternatives, comparing prices across retailers helps make these healthy options more accessible. The Coca-Cola ownership generates ongoing debate, but Innocent's B Corp certification demonstrates that ethical business practices can survive corporate acquisition with appropriate structural safeguards. The products themselves remain unchanged from the natural, no-nonsense formulations that built the brand's reputation. Using Grocefully to compare Innocent prices across UK supermarkets ensures you find the best deals on these quality products. Whether you're reaching for a classic strawberry and banana smoothie, exploring the enhanced nutrition of Super Smoothies, or trying plant-based alternatives, informed shopping makes healthy choices more affordable. Two million Innocent smoothies sold every week testifies to British consumers' enduring appreciation for the brand. Understanding what makes Innocent distinctive, and shopping smart to find best prices, helps you enjoy these products whilst managing your grocery budget effectively.