Reviving Craftsmanship in Beverage Design: Caleb's Kola

PepsiCo Design & Innovation's Award-Winning Approach to Beverage Branding

At the heart of Caleb's Kola is the brand's ethos, "Honor in Craft." This ethos is not just a tagline, but a guiding principle that is reflected in every aspect of the beverage's design. The label design is a thoughtful reflection of a simple ingredient story, featuring a graphic language that is well crafted yet distinctly clean and uncluttered. It's a tribute to passionate people everywhere who are working to create something better.

What sets Caleb's Kola apart from other beverages is its unique properties. Made from simple ingredients such as sparkling water, fair trade cane sugar, and kola nut extract, the beverage is a testament to the power of simplicity. The small group of cola lovers who created Caleb's Kola made hundreds of batches until they got it exactly right—with unique and delicious citrus and spice notes, bubbles that are exactly the right size, and a unique effervescence. The label design aesthetic ties to the simplicity of the product’s ingredients, creating a cohesive and authentic brand experience.

But Caleb's Kola is not just a beverage—it's a design triumph. The beverage's design has been recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Food, Beverage and Culinary Arts Design Award in 2016. This award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.

The success of Caleb's Kola is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and the importance of honoring the craft. It's a reminder that in a world of mass-produced beverages, there's still room for craftsmanship, simplicity, and passion. And it's proof that when designers honor these principles, they can create products that are not just successful, but truly exceptional.

As we move forward, let's take a moment to celebrate the success of Caleb's Kola and the team at PepsiCo Design & Innovation. Their commitment to craftsmanship, simplicity, and passion is an inspiration to us all. And their success is a reminder of the power of design to create products that are not just good, but truly great.