Shaking up craft soda with solapop*
Solapop* is a new craft soda coming to shake up the GTA.
Learn about the project below.
Project Essentials
- Principal Investigators: Pere Ramel/Caroline Rebello
- Co-investigator: Candace Mascarenhas
- Years Active: 2023
- Research Area: Food & Beverage
The Challenge
Sola Brands Corp. is an Ontario-based business looking to launch their first products, solapop*. Their carbonated sodas are inspired by craft cocktails, with full, inspired flavours. The Sola Brands Corp. team came to FIRSt for help developing their first two planned flavors, Peach Habanero and Lemon Honey Lavender, and bringing to production at their co-manufacturing partner, post-project.
The GBC Solution
solapop* had initial formulations for two soda beverages, but wanted: (1) more sophistication in the products’ flavors; and (2) needed the new recipes to be ready for larger-scale manufacturing before they could go to market. The FIRSt team sourced ingredients and materials for the project, then set out to prototyping the beverage products.
The Result
Working closely with solapop*, the team at FIRSt: perfected the final formulations for both products, meeting solapop’s flavour requirements and providing recipes ready for scaling to large batches at solapop*’s co-manufacturing partner, along with Nutrition Facts Tables for their packaging and other relevant information. Armed with two delicious new flavours, solapop is now working with a vendor in Toronto to bring their product to market in 2024.
