An icon reimagined: Historic Schweppes brand gives itself a facelift

Among the innovations is the return of the famous curved Skittle bottle, first crafted in the 18th century to preserve bubbles. It is now available in a one-litre PET (a type of recyclable plastic) format. 

“Elegant enough for the table and practical enough for every day, it signals quality in every setting,” Schweppes explains. 

Working with Kenyon Weston, an independent design studio, the Coca-Cola Company redesigned its bottles for a new millennium. 

In a recent interview, James Sommerville, Vice President of Global Design at the Coca-Cola Company, and Rapha Abreu, Senior Global Visual Identity Design Director, said the bottle design was inspired by the strong symbols Schweppes created throughout its history.  

“The iconic skittle bottle was redesigned with cleaner lines and fine embossing of the Schweppes fountain, another recognisable element of the brand that we also modernised,” they stated. 

“Jacob Schweppe was one of the world’s first beverage entrepreneurs. To fully understand and design a refreshed Schweppes brand for today, we first needed to understand the journey of Schweppes, reflecting over 200 years of innovation since its launch in 1783.” 

Strategy includes revised logo and new flavours 

Discussing the revised logo, the pair said it features a non-serifed font and the yellow sash is now more geometric and simplified, maintaining its recognised angle. 

Three new flavours have also been introduced as part of the revamp. These are Pineapple Coconut, Pomegranate and Tangerine. 

According to Rana Mandour – Senior Director, Brand Management, Premium at Coca Cola Africa – this recognises that social moments have evolved.  

“People want great tasting, beautifully designed drinks that fit their lifestyle. Our new straight drinking range offers exactly that,” Mandour notes. 

Comments the Coca-Cola Company in a statement posted on its website: “Today’s consumers are more adventurous, mindful and more expressive in their choices. As IWSR (International Wine and Spirits Record) research highlights, taste, brand trust and availability are now as important as moderation, especially among Millennials and Gen-Z.”