Pink Grapefruit Soda: Hip Pop’s Saturday Kitchen Star Pairing

There’s a shift happening in the world of drinks. Fizzy doesn’t have to mean artificial, and soft doesn’t have to mean boring. More and more people are ditching the overly sweet, chemically enhanced stuff in favour of proper soft drinks, the kind made with natural ingredients, real flavour, and no artificial ingredients – like our Pink Grapefruit Soda…

That point was proven on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, when our Pink Grapefruit Soda was chosen by none other than Helen McGinn, the show’s resident drinks expert and author of The Knackered Mother’s Wine Guide. She paired our naturally zesty grapefruit fizz with Michelin-starred chef Andrew Wong’s spring rolls and wontons. It wasn’t just a clever no-alcohol pairing, it was proof that a proper soft drink can elevate a meal just as much as wine, without needing to ferment anything or fake the flavour.

The Perfect Pairing: What Happened on Saturday Kitchen

If you caught the episode, you’ll know this wasn’t a throwaway mention. It was a proper feature, our Pink Grapefruit Soda, served alongside a beautifully plated dish of spring rolls and wontons from none other than Andrew Wong, a chef who knows a thing or two about flavour precision (and happens to have a Michelin star to back it up).

The pairing came courtesy of Helen McGinn, Saturday Kitchen’s go-to expert on all things sippable. Known for her no-nonsense, flavour-first approach to drinks, Helen picked our soda as a non-alcoholic match that could stand up to the bold, bright flavours of the dish without overpowering it, or getting lost in the mix.

Our Pink Grapefruit Soda was chosen for its balanced acidity, natural bitterness, and clean citrus finish. It’s a drink that cuts through richness and lifts delicate flavours, just like a good wine would, only without the alcohol, the artificial sweeteners, or the morning-after regret. (bye-bye Hangxiety)

For us, seeing it enjoyed in that context wasn’t just flattering, it was confirmation that soft drinks deserve a place at the table, even when the food is next-level. And it’s especially validating when that table is being broadcast across the country.

So yes, we blushed a little. But then we cracked open a can and got back to work.

Why Our Pink Grapefruit Soda Works So Well with Food

We didn’t set out to make a food-pairing superstar, we just wanted to make a proper soft drink. But it turns out that when you ditch the artificial sweeteners and focus on natural flavour and real ingredients, you end up with something that plays really nicely with actual food.

Our Pink Grapefruit Soda is a great example of that. The tartness of grapefruit gives it a sharp, grown-up edge, while the natural sweetness from fruit keeps it balanced. There’s just enough fizz to keep things refreshing, and absolutely no weird aftertaste (because there’s no stevia, no aspartame, and no baffling chemical cocktail pretending to be citrus).

That makes it the ideal match for dishes with bold flavours, like crispy spring rolls, rich dipping sauces, or anything with a bit of spice. The acidity cuts through oil, the gentle bubbles lift the palate, and the grapefruit rounds everything out with a clean, zesty finish.

It’s not just about being alcohol-free. It’s about offering a flavour-forward drink that’s refreshing, well-balanced, and designed to be enjoyed with proper food, not just sipped on the sofa (though it’s great for that too).

And while we wouldn’t dream of telling you how to eat, we will say this: next time you’re serving up something rich, crispy, or full of spice, try it with our Pink Grapefruit Soda. 

A Win for Non-Alcoholic Pairings

Not too long ago, the question of “what are you drinking with that?” was one of fairly limited choices. You were pretty much limited to one of two options, ‘red or white’, or ‘still or sparking’.

But things are changing. More people are choosing not to drink alcohol, sometimes permanently, sometimes just because it’s a Tuesday and they’ve got things to do tomorrow. And when you’re skipping the booze, you shouldn’t have to settle for a sad glass of tap water or something aggressively fizzy that tastes like melted sweets.

The trouble is, most soft drinks weren’t made to be enjoyed with food. They’re often too sweet, overly fizzy, or full of flavourings that sound like they belong in a science experiment. That’s why we make ours differently.

At Hip Pop, we make our drinks to be balanced, bold, and food friendly. The kind of drink that can cut through rich sauces, stand up to spice, and hold its own alongside proper cooking, not just sit on the kids' table next to the ketchup.

So, when Helen McGinn paired our Pink Grapefruit Soda with a Michelin-starred chef’s spring rolls and wontons on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, it wasn’t just a proud moment, it was proof that grown-up soft drinks are finally getting a seat at the table.

You don’t need alcohol to have a great drink, you just need one that was made with care, good ingredients, and absolutely no artificial nonsense.

Made for Moments Like This

We didn’t start Hip Pop because we wanted to win awards or get name-dropped on telly (although we’re not complaining). We started it because we were tired of soft drinks that tasted like sugar water with a degree in chemistry.

We wanted something different, something with real ingredients, balanced flavour, and none of the artificial nonsense. And it turns out, a lot of you did too. Whether it’s pairing with a midweek stir-fry, sharing around the table at Sunday lunch, or yes, showing up on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, our pop was made for moments like this.

We’re not trying to be or copy anyone else, we’re not promising the world, and we’re definitely not selling a magical health potion. We just make proper good pop, full of real flavour, made with real ingredients, and none of the artificial rubbish we unfortunately see far too often nowadays. The secret to making real good pop is using real good ingredients. 

So whether you’re alcohol-free, sober-curious, or just fancy something refreshing that doesn’t taste like a lab experiment, there’s a can of Pink Grapefruit (or Tropical Peach, or Ginger & Turmeric...) with your name on it.

Where to Get Your Hands on Our Pink Grapefruit Soda

Feeling thirsty? We’ve got you. Our Pink Grapefruit Soda (aka the one with a bit of national TV swagger now) is available to order right here on our website, along with the rest of our naturally flavoured, no-nonsense soft drinks.

Whether you're stocking up on a bulk order of a single flavour or going for our handpicked soda tasting bundle, we deliver straight to your door, no queueing, no awkward small talk with the shop assistant as you pretend you didn’t just come in for a drink and three kinds of crisps. We even have a subscribe and save option available, so you never have to worry about running out of great tasting pop again.

You can also find us in stores, so if you're out and about and fancy something fizzy that won’t leave you with a sugar crash or a weird aftertaste, keep an eye out for our cans. (Bonus: we’re in the Sainsbury’s meal deal. Just saying.)

So, whether you're planning a pairing of your own or just want something delicious in your fridge that’s not pretending to be anything it’s not, Get Hip Pop, Get Real.

The Last Sip

We’re so happy that there’s finally room at the table for soft drinks that aren’t an afterthought. Drinks that are made with care, with real ingredients, and with the understanding that not everyone wants a glass of wine, but everyone wants something that tastes good. Our Pink Grapefruit Soda didn’t need to pretend to be anything it’s not. It just showed up, did what it does best, and proved that pop can be punchy, grown-up, and genuinely satisfying.

So, whether you’re cutting out alcohol, mixing things up, or simply want something that tastes brilliant without the baggage, we’re here for it.

No fluff, no fakery, no artificial nonsense, just proper good pop.

Thanks for having us, Saturday Kitchen. We’ll raise a can to that.