About Robinsons
Robinsons stands as Britain's number one squash brand, refreshing UK families for over 200 years with fruit-flavoured cordials that have become quintessentially British. From its origins as a barley drink manufacturer in 1823 to its iconic 86-year partnership with Wimbledon, Robinsons has earned its place in British cultural history. Today, with no added sugar formulations and a commitment to real fruit juice, Robinsons continues to be the trusted choice for dilutable drinks in households across the nation. The Robinsons story traces back to 1823 when George Robinson and Alexander Belville founded Robinson and Belville Ltd as a shipping and trading company that also manufactured Patent Barley and Groats. However, the brand's true origins reach even further to entrepreneur Matthias Archibold Robinson, who invented his Barley & Groats Powder after recovering from bankruptcy in 1821. This nutritious barley drink, sold in powder form and added to boiling water, won royal approval from Queen Victoria and became embedded in British domestic history. The company evolved through several corporate changes. In 1862, Robinson and Belville joined with Keen & Son. Coleman's of Norwich acquired the business in 1903. Through Reckitt & Colman, the brand eventually passed to Unilever, who sold Robinsons to Britannia Soft Drinks (parent company of Britvic) for £108 million in 1995. Today, Britvic Soft Drinks, one of Great Britain's two leading soft drinks businesses, owns and operates the Robinsons brand. The transformative moment for Robinsons came in 1930 when Eric Smedley Hodgson developed a drink combining the brand's patent barley crystals with real lemon juice and sugar. This creation became Lemon Barley Water - a uniquely refreshing cordial that would define the brand for generations. The product's natural refreshment properties made it ideal for sporting contexts, leading to one of the longest brand partnerships in British history. In 1935, Robinsons Lemon Barley Water was first served to players at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. This began an 86-year partnership that became synonymous with British summer and tennis culture. Players refreshed themselves between sets with Robinsons, and the brand became inextricably linked with Wimbledon's prestige. Though the partnership ended in 2022, the association remains in British cultural memory as an example of quintessentially British brand heritage. Royal recognition further cemented Robinsons' prestige. In 1955, the brand received a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as supplier of soft drinks to the British Royal household. This honour reflected the brand's quality credentials and established position in British domestic life. The modern Robinsons range has evolved considerably from barley water origins. In 2015, the brand removed all added sugars from its squash product ranges, responding to health-conscious consumer preferences and the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy. Today's formulations use sweeteners to deliver the familiar Robinsons taste without sugar, typically containing less than 5 calories per serving. Real fruit juice provides authentic flavour across the range. The core squash range offers classic fruit flavours including Orange, Apple & Blackcurrant, Summer Fruits, Lemon, and Peach. These concentrated cordials dilute with water to create refreshing drinks at home. Different concentration options include standard squash and double concentrate for those preferring stronger flavour or smaller storage. Robinsons Fruit Shoot targets children with ready-to-drink bottles in convenient sizes for lunchboxes and on-the-go consumption. No added sugar formulations address parental health concerns whilst delivering fruit flavours children enjoy. Robinsons Creations and special editions offer contemporary flavour combinations appealing to adult palates. Limited editions and seasonal variants maintain interest and encourage trial. In 2023, Robinsons conducted comprehensive rebranding to appeal to modern families whilst respecting heritage. Updated packaging design maintained recognisable brand elements whilst conveying contemporary relevance. Robinsons products are ubiquitous across UK retailers. Every major supermarket - Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Waitrose - stocks comprehensive ranges. Convenience stores carry bestselling variants. Discount retailers provide budget-conscious options. Online grocers offer full range access with home delivery convenience. When comparing Robinsons to competitors like Vimto, Ribena, and supermarket own-brand squashes, Robinsons leads on brand heritage and recognition. The Wimbledon association and Royal Warrant provide prestige that competitors cannot match. Against own-brand alternatives, Robinsons offers more consistent quality and broader flavour range. Premium positioning justifies slightly higher prices for brand loyalists. For UK families seeking Britain's most trusted squash brand backed by 200 years of heritage, Robinsons delivers refreshment with real fruit and no added sugar. Whether enjoying classic Orange squash, convenient Fruit Shoots, or innovative new flavours, Robinsons provides the reliable quality that has refreshed British households for generations. Using Grocefully to compare Robinsons prices across UK retailers ensures you find the best deals on these family favourites.