top of page
DRIFT 52 On Sale Banner.Gif
Search

The value of origin

Words by Jamie Crocker


The authentic Cornish soft drinks company tells its story.


Jolly’s Drinks Cornish soft drinks, authentic Cornish soft drinks brand, Jolly’s Drinks since 1896, heritage soft drinks company Cornwall, family recipe soft drinks Cornwall, crafted soft drinks Carharrack origins, Jolly’s Drinks Saltash spring water, Cornish spring water soft drinks, premium soft drinks made in Cornwall, traditional recipes modern soft drinks, quality ingredients bold flavours, small batch soft drinks UK, Cornish ginger beer with chilli, Jolly’s Ginger Beer Cornish chilli, fiery Cornish ginger beer mixer, Cornish cola premium mixer, sparkling apple soft drink, sparkling orange soft drink, pink lemonade soft drink, Cornish soft drinks range UK wide, independent soft drinks producer, craft soda brand Cornwall, local ingredients soft drinks, sustainably minded drinks brand, eco-conscious soft drinks packaging, recyclable drinks cans Cornwall, authentic Cornish brand storytelling, proudly Cornish drinks company, soft drinks for discerning customers, premium soft drinks for cocktails, mixers for Cornish rum and spirits, ginger beer dark rum and lime serve, soft drinks for mocktails and long drinks, Jolly’s Drinks UK stockists, traditional flavour with modern twist, reduced sugar balanced recipes, soft drinks with bold natural flavours, heritage inspired drinks branding, Cornish culture in a can, taste of Cornwall soft drinks, local favourite drinks now nationwide, small passionate drinks team, flavour-obsessed drinks makers, sustainability champions in drinks industry, community-focused Cornish brand, supporting local Cornish suppliers, modern craft soft drinks market, soft drinks for food pairings, soft drinks for slow-cooked recipes, pink lemonade baking ingredient, ginger beer cooking ingredient, tonic water for G&T desserts, premium tonic water from Cornwall, non-alcoholic drinks with character, grown-up soft drinks for adults, soft drinks for picnics and barbecues, soft drinks for coastal holidays Cornwall, Cornish soft drinks gift idea, soft drinks brand with strong identity, UK independent drinks company, artisan soft drinks and mixers, sparkling soft drinks with heritage, classic and contemporary soft drink flavours, authentic story-led drinks brand, jollysdrinks.co.uk

Expanding from a small domestic operation in the village of Carharrack to its larger premises in Saltash, on the western lea of the River Tamar, Jolly’s Drinks is proudly Cornish. As a successful brand that has spread beyond its humble origins, we speak with Cheryl Ingram, the company’s managing director, to find out what has made it such a local favourite and what its appeal is to the rest of the country.


Jolly’s has been quenching thirsts since 1896. Can you talk us through the brand’s journey from a small Cornish family recipe to a drinks range now sold across the UK?

Jolly’s was created by John Jolly in Cornwall in 1896, at a time when drinks were crafted slowly without the aid of modern machinery. Times may have changed, and the scale of the operation has grown, but at the core of the company, the same values and ambition still apply: quality ingredients and bold flavour delivered to a discerning market. As tastes became more demanding, the brand has evolved, moving from an established local favourite to a wider audience, whilst remembering to display its Cornish heritage in the process. Growing across the UK has been about sharing that heritage with more people, not diluting what made it special in the first place.


Your drinks are made with Cornish spring water and as many local ingredients as possible. What’s the philosophy behind your recipe development, and how do you balance tradition with innovation?

Our philosophy is simple: respect the original recipe and only innovate where it genuinely improves the drink. Cornish spring water gives us a clean, soft base. Tradition gives us a benchmark. While innovation lets us play at the edges, whether that’s introducing a subtle Cornish chilli warmth or refining sugar levels to suit modern tastes, every new recipe still has to feel unmistakably “Jolly’s”.



Sustainability is clearly important to Jolly’s. What are the biggest environmental challenges you’ve faced, and what bold steps are you planning next to lower your footprint?

Packaging and transport are two of the biggest challenges for any drinks brand and we’re no different. We’ve focused heavily on reducing unnecessary materials, improving recyclability, and working closely with suppliers who share our values. Looking ahead, we’re exploring lighter packaging formats, further energy efficiencies in production and deeper partnerships with local supply chains. Sustainability is viewed as a series of constant, practical improvements rather than a grand gesture that once activated is then left to wither.


Who are the key people behind Jolly’s today, especially those carrying forward the legacy of John Jolly, and what do they bring to the table that’s uniquely theirs?


Today’s Jolly’s is powered by a small, passionate team that genuinely cares about what goes into each can. Some are flavour obsessives, some are sustainability champions, others are storytellers, but everyone understands the weight of the legacy they’re carrying. What they bring is a way of working that is informed by modern thinking but with a respect for the brand’s history, paired with the confidence to gently push it forward.


Which of your drinks has the most surprising story or customer reaction behind it, and what was it?

Our Ginger Beer with a hint of Cornish chilli has probably sparked the most conversation. Some people pick up the can expecting a light ginger aftertaste and are surprised by the big hit of warmth that builds right to the end. What’s been lovely is how many customers tell us that once they try it, they can’t go back. It’s sparked some very passionate fan emails. I have had a lady say it’s the only thing that eased her heartburn when pregnant, but obviously, we can’t market that without thorough research!



Cornwall has a very distinctive identity in the UK. How do local culture and community shape what Jolly’s stands for and how fans connect with the brand?

Cornwall has a strong sense of pride and independence that we’ve tried to capture in a can! We’re conscious of being shaped by the landscape, the sea, the pace of life here and of course the people. That authenticity resonates beyond Cornwall, too. We believe people can spot when a brand is genuinely rooted somewhere. We like to think fans don’t just drink Jolly’s; they feel like they’ve discovered a little piece of Cornwall.


Where do you see the soft drinks market heading in the next five years (e.g., health trends, flavours, formats) and how is Jolly’s preparing to stay ahead?

People are becoming more discerning and engaged about what they drink, and they want to support local brands that resonate with their own values. There’s also a big rise in drinks that work just as well on their own as they do in a glass with ice and a splash of something stronger. Jolly’s is moving into that space: bold, grown-up flavours, transparent recipes and drinks that feel like a special treat.


If Jolly’s drinks were characters in a Cornish folk tale, who would they be, and what would their personalities be like?

Our Ginger Beer would be the mischievous one – warm-hearted, a little fiery and full of surprises. The Sparkling Apple and Sparkling Orange would be the storytellers: bright, welcoming and appreciated by everyone in the village. And the original recipes would be the quiet elders, steady and trusted, sitting by the fire while the others cause a bit of chaos.



Every brand has a dream project. If you could collaborate with any artist, chef or cultural figure on a Jolly’s experience or product, who would it be and why?

A collaboration with a chef who champions Cornwall, perhaps someone like Rick Stein or Paul Ainsworth. Or a partnership with an iconic place like The Eden Project. It wouldn’t be about slapping a name on a can, but about creating pairings or experiences that celebrate the region.


What’s the most unexpected way you’ve seen customers enjoy your drinks (e.g. recipe, mix with spirits, food pairings) and what should every DRIFT reader absolutely try?

We’ve seen customers use our Ginger Beer and Cornish Cola in slow-cooked recipes, the Pink Lemonade used in a cake (created by Trewithen Dairy and on our website), the Tonic was used in a G&T dessert, but pairing Ginger Beer with a great Cornish dark rum and a squeeze of fresh lime remains a standout. So simple and classic.


bottom of page