Ribena Blackcurrant Juice Drink

Ribena is a classic blackcurrant-based soft drink with a heritage dating back to 1938. It was originally developed by biochemist Audrey Green and scientist Vernon Charley at the University of Bristol in England. The brand was initially produced by H.W. Carter & Co and became a British household staple during World War II when it was distributed as a vitamin C supplement for children by the UK government.

Over the decades, the brand passed through several major corporate hands, including the Beecham Group and later GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). In 2013, the Japanese beverage giant Suntory acquired the brand for £1.35 billion. Today, it is managed under the Suntory Beverage & Food division. While its historical production heart is the Royal Forest Factory in Coleford, Gloucestershire (UK), the brand has a significant presence in Denmark, where it has been sold since 1948 and is distributed through partners like Orkla Danmark.

Interestingly, the Danish version of Ribena is often noted for adhering closer to the original sugar-based recipe, unlike the UK version which underwent changes following the introduction of the sugar tax in 2018. As of 2026, Suntory continues to invest heavily in its manufacturing infrastructure to modernize production while honoring the brand's long-standing British roots.