POPPI BROADENS FUNCTIONAL BEVERAGE HORIZONS WITH LIFT AND CHILL

PepsiCo-owned Poppi is expanding its functional beverage portfolio with Lift and Chill, two new drinks designed around energy and relaxation. The launches mark a strategic shift from gut-health positioning to a broader lifestyle platform, unveiled at the NACS show as part of a wider innovation slate targeting diverse consumer occasions.  

Poppi, the PepsiCo-owned brand that carved out a niche in the functional soda category with its gut-health positioning, is now widening its scope with the introduction of two new concepts: Lift and Chill. Designed to deliver energy and relaxation respectively, the drinks represent a deliberate move to broaden the brand’s functional proposition and tap into more consumer occasions throughout the day.  

The launches were unveiled at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show, where Poppi showcased a wider innovation slate that places functional benefits at the centre of its next phase of product development. By exploring both energy and relaxation, Poppi is positioning itself to meet consumer demand for beverages that align with specific moods, routines and lifestyle needs, extending its relevance beyond digestive health.  

This strategic evolution signals a shift from offering a single functional benefit to building a broader lifestyle beverage platform. Lift is designed to provide a boost for moments when consumers need heightened energy and focus, while Chill caters to those seeking calm and relaxation. Together, they reflect PepsiCo’s ambition to diversify Poppi’s appeal and capture new need states in the increasingly competitive functional beverage market.  

For PepsiCo, the challenge lies in extending Poppi’s reach without diluting the distinctive identity that has helped the brand stand out in a crowded category. Poppi’s playful branding and accessible flavour profiles have resonated strongly with younger audiences, and the company will need to ensure that Lift and Chill maintain this balance of functionality and fun.  

The move also underscores a broader industry trend, as beverage companies increasingly look to functional innovation to drive growth. With consumers seeking products that deliver tangible benefits alongside taste, the expansion into energy and relaxation offers Poppi an opportunity to strengthen its positioning as a lifestyle brand rather than a niche functional soda.  

By leveraging PepsiCo’s scale and Poppi’s distinctive brand equity, Lift and Chill could help the company establish a stronger foothold in the functional beverage space, appealing to consumers across a wider range of occasions. The launches highlight PepsiCo’s commitment to innovation and its recognition that functional benefits are becoming central to beverage choice, shaping the next wave of category development.  

Poppi’s expansion beyond gut health is not just about product diversification; it is about redefining the brand’s role in consumers’ daily lives. With Lift and Chill, the company is signalling its intent to be more than a functional soda—it aims to be a lifestyle companion, offering energy when needed and relaxation when desired.