A Taste of Summer - Why Riviera Iced Tea Deserves a Spot in Your Fridge.

There’s something quietly brilliant about discovering a drink that feels like a holiday in a can—and even better when it’s made just down the road. Riviera Iced Tea, founded by Newark-based entrepreneur Fran Gresswell, is doing just that: bringing a splash of Mediterranean sunshine to the soft drinks aisle of your local Lincolnshire Co-op.

What started as a craving turned into a calling. While travelling through Europe and the US, Fran noticed iced tea was everywhere—refreshing, flavourful, and far from the sugary, fizzy options back home. So she brewed up her own solution. Fast-forward a few years, and Riviera Iced Tea is now stocked in all 95 Lincolnshire Co-op, proudly part of the “Love Local” range

The drinks come in sleek 250ml cans and flavours like Peach, Raspberry & Mint, and Rhubarb & Ginger. They’re vegan, low-calorie, gluten-free, and non-carbonated—proof that you don’t need bubbles to feel refreshed. And yes, they’re part of the Co-op’s meal deals, so your lunch break just got a lot more interesting.

But Riviera is more than a drink—it’s a story of bold ideas, local roots, and a founder who turned a gap in the market into a growing brand. Supporting businesses like this means backing creativity, sustainability, and the kind of innovation that starts at the kitchen table and ends up in your community fridge.

So next time you’re browsing the chilled aisle, skip the usual suspects. Reach for something local, light, and lovingly made. Your taste buds—and your community—will thank you.

My favourite is the raspberry and mint flavour.

📷 : Photo Credit - Riviera Iced Tea