Rivella soft drink

Rivella is a unique carbonated soft drink that has become a symbol of Swiss culture since its introduction in 1952. Developed by Robert Barth, the beverage is famously made with milk whey (milk serum), which accounts for roughly 25-35% of its ingredients, giving it a distinct flavor profile and nutritional content including lactose and minerals.

The majority of Rivella's production occurs at its primary factory in Rothrist, Switzerland, where the company moved in 1954 after its initial start in Stäfa. While it is widely considered the national drink of Switzerland, it also maintains a significant presence in the Netherlands, its largest foreign market. In the Netherlands, Rivella is produced under license by Vrumona using a concentrate supplied by the Swiss parent company.

Ownership of the brand has remained remarkably stable. It is owned by Rivella SA (Rivella AG), an independent Swiss family-owned company. Following the death of the founder Robert Barth in 2007, the leadership and ownership have continued through the Barth family, maintaining its status as one of the few major Swiss beverage brands not absorbed by global conglomerates.