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Revibed Drinks: Birmingham-based family drinks brand shaking up healthy hydration
The brand transforming a traditional Caribbean hibiscus tea into a modern, health-focused soft drink.
Read time: 3 mins Added: 16/02/26
Blending tradition with modern wellness innovation
Founded in 2021 by father and son duo, Ivor and Eugene Patterson, Revibed Drinks is the Birmingham-based brand transforming a traditional Caribbean hibiscus tea into a modern, health-focused soft drink. The roots of the business lie in a family tradition. “I used to watch my dad make hibiscus tea during the festive period,” co-founder Eugene remembers. “It’s something that always stuck with me.”
Years later, after graduating, Eugene went backpacking across Southeast Asia. “I kept seeing hibiscus everywhere in smoothie bowls, wellness cafés, health drinks in places like Indonesia and Thailand,” he says. “After I rediscovered my dad’s recipe, that was the euphoric moment when I realised that we could create something modern from something traditional.”
Together with his father, Eugene began developing a drink that honoured the original hibiscus recipe but would appeal to a new generation of health-conscious consumers. Revibed Drinks’ products are made with natural ingredients, zero sugar and low calories, positioning the brand squarely within the growing functional and wellbeing drinks market.
A family recipe with global potential
Revibed Drinks launched during the pandemic, initially supplying independent retailers across Birmingham and the wider Midlands. “Launching during lockdown was tough, but our story resonated,” Eugene says. “People connected with the heritage behind the drink.”
The brand’s reach soon expanded. Revibed Drinks secured listings with Holland & Barrett, Ocado, and specialist retailers in Dubai, opening the door to international customers seeking healthier alternatives. The drinks also gained traction in corporate offices, including workplaces for Netflix, Meta and several Lloyds locations.
A major breakthrough came when Revibed Drinks was selected for Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class menu - a milestone that exposed the brand to premium global travellers. “Seeing our drink served in Upper Class was incredible,” Eugene says. “It showed the product could stand alongside major international names.”
Building momentum across the UK and beyond
Revibed Drinks’ early momentum helped it stand out in Lloyds’ Launchpad competition; a pitching platform designed to celebrate Black business excellence and help founders prepare to take centre stage. Through Lloyds, Launchpad offers a year-round package of support, including brand exposure, storytelling coaching and access to expert guidance. The team won the 2023 Launchpad Award, unlocking direct access to the bank’s tailored support and services.
Through winning the Launchpad Award, Eugene and Ivor were introduced to Dave Atkinson, Lloyds’ UK Head of Manufacturing for SMEs and Mid-Corporates. As part of the prize, Dave led a series of mentoring sessions to help shape the firm’s growth strategy. Eugene recalls the impact of that first conversation. “Dave really opened up our insight. He understands the industry, and he understood where we were trying to go.”
As Revibed Drinks began supplying larger retailers, with many operating on extended payment terms, Eugene needed support to keep up with growing demand. After discussing the business’ plans, Dave personally connected him with the right specialists at Lloyds. This allowed the team to secure a loan, followed by a £20,000 invoice financing facility, helping the business access funds ahead of 30 – 90-day retailer payment cycles.
Eugene Patterson Co-Founder, Revibed DrinksThe financing meant we could take opportunities without slowing down. It kept our growth on track at a crucial time.
Reshaping the business through mentoring
While the financial support strengthened Revibed Drinks foundations, the mentoring relationship with Dave has had an even deeper effect on the business. “Dave’s amazing,” Eugene says. “He’s given me holistic business advice, not just on the commercial side, but the personal side too.”
Their sessions cover everything from margin discipline and pricing strategy to long-term planning, investment preparedness and operational structure. Dave has also helped Eugene refine the business model, understand manufacturing cycles and think strategically about export markets.
“Lloyds has been more than a bank, they’ve almost acted like an extended co-founder,” Eugene explains. Dave’s mentoring has given me clarity on our margins, our strategy and what it will take to scale Revibed Drinks to the next level.”
Looking ahead
Eugene and Ivor are now entering their most ambitious phase yet. The business is preparing to expand into the Netherlands, Belgium and India, driven by rising global interest in natural and functional drinks. “Entering these markets will be momentous for us,” Eugene says. “They’re looking for innovative health drinks, and hibiscus fits perfectly into that space.”
To support this next stage, Revibed Drinks is strengthening its operational infrastructure. The business plans to expand its team, boost brand awareness, streamline fulfilment processes and invest in automated systems and outsourced expertise to meet rising demand across the UK and overseas.
“We’re building the infrastructure for a brand that can go global,” Eugene says. From a Birmingham kitchen to airline cabins and international retail shelves, Revibed Drinks is scaling quickly, fuelled by heritage, innovation and a relationship with Lloyds that is built for long-term growth.
From a Birmingham kitchen to airline cabins and international retail shelves, Revibed Drinks is scaling quickly, fuelled by heritage, innovation and a relationship with Lloyds that is built for long-term growth. The pair now aim to reach £500,000 in revenue in 2026, with a long-term ambition to grow into a £10 million brand.
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