Lucozade Energy Original

Lucozade is a cornerstone of the British beverage industry, with a heritage dating back to 1927 when it was formulated by William Walker Hunter, a pharmacist from Newcastle upon Tyne. Originally called 'Glucozade,' it was initially marketed as a medicinal glucose solution to help patients recover from common illnesses. By 1929, it was rebranded as Lucozade and became a staple in UK hospitals and pharmacies.

Over the decades, the brand's identity shifted from illness recovery to sports and active lifestyle performance. This transition was solidified in the 1980s through high-profile marketing campaigns that repositioned Lucozade as a mainstream energy drink. Today, the product is primarily manufactured at the historic Coleford factory in Gloucestershire, England, which has been operational since 1946 and is now one of the most advanced bottling facilities in Europe.

Following a series of mergers through the 20th century, the brand was owned by the British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). In 2013, Suntory Holdings, a Japanese multinational drinks conglomerate, acquired the Lucozade and Ribena brands for approximately £1.35 billion. As of 2026, the brand continues to be owned and managed by the Suntory Group through its subsidiary, Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland.