Craft soda aficionados and hospitality professionals have a new reason to celebrate. Six Barrel Soda, the Wellington-born innovator of small-batch syrups and artisan sodas, has unveiled its latest offering: Simple Sugar Syrup, a certified Organic and fair trade syrup – and the only one of its kind produced in New Zealand.
A behind-the-bar brainstorm their founders Joe and Mike launched in 2012 has evolved into an award-winning venture known for its real-ingredient sodas and syrups. Built on natural elements like New Zealand citrus, Central Otago cherries, organic ginger, rose petals, and Fair-trade organic cane sugar, Six Barrel Soda delivers products that are both flavourful and sustainable. In April 2025, the brand entered a new chapter when St Andrews Limes’ Matt and Tracy Day acquired Six Barrel Soda, bringing renewed production capacity while preserving its independent, sustainable identity.
The newly launched Simple Sugar Syrup carries that legacy forward. Made from raw turbinado sugar sourced from the Manduvirá Cooperative in Paraguay via Trade Aid, it’s designed for versatility behind the bar or at home. In the words of the brand: “We’re super excited to release our new organic and fair trade Simple Sugar Syrup — a game-changer for home bartenders and hospitality pros.”
This syrup not only promises effortless dissolution and a rich, golden sweetness – ideal for mojitos, daiquiris, or iced coffee – it also brings a powerful ethical storyline to every pour. As Six Barrel Soda co-owner Day puts it: “We’ve always believed that better drinks start with better ingredients,” and this product “is a natural extension of our mission – to make it easy for people to create amazing drinks at home or behind the bar, while supporting better ways of doing business.”
This launch doesn’t happen in isolation; it complements an award-winning lineup that includes soda syrups, sugar-free Seltz Drops, and their Sparkler soda maker. The company remains committed to real ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and mindful sourcing. Their talent for innovation and quality has not gone unnoticed, earning accolades like Cuisine’s ‘100 Tastes of NZ’, the NZ 2021 Artisan Awards, and Capital Mag’s Best Artisan Food & Drink award in 2023.
Under its new ownership, Six Barrel Soda now operates from Hawke’s Bay, with ambitions to grow production and reach via a purpose-built facility, while honouring its Wellington roots.
For hospitality venues and home mixologists seeking both flavour and integrity, the Simple Sugar Syrup is poised to become a staple. With its transparent provenance, ease of use, and ethical credentials, it embodies a beverage ethos more relevant than ever.
