Golden— Honey sweetened soda from Aotearoa
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Golden is a low-calorie soda sweetened with premium mānuka and kānuka honey, flavoured with real New Zealand fruits. It's a drink that’s not only refreshing but genuinely better for you. Crafted with care and grounded in New Zealand’s finest natural ingredients, it strikes the perfect balance: premium New Zealand honey paired with locally sourced, nutrient-rich fruits. Every ingredient is chosen thoughtfully, delivering natural sweetness and real benefits without relying on refined sugars. The outcome is a functional soda that presents familiar flavours reimagined more healthily.
The design strategy focuses on creating a visual identity that captures the energetic spirit of a sweet drink while differentiating itself from traditional soft drinks and so-called “guilt-free” options. We aim to establish a unique voice that blends these worlds, challenging stereotypes and moving beyond the binary.
We were inspired by two key elements: beehives and education. Although they may seem unrelated, both embody important values. The beehive reflects Golden’s commitment to quality beekeeping, while the book spine signifies the pursuit of reliable information about honey and bees, which are vital to our existence and Golden beverages. Both elements share a similar stacking structure and can be simplified visually by lines. These lines will be found throughout the visual identity, establishing a new and accessible language for the brand that feels both premium and familiar.
Golden isn’t just a drink—it’s a celebration of what honest, hardworking ingredients can achieve and a reflection of New Zealand’s exceptional produce.
CREDITS
Photography by Golden
TESTIMONIAL
Great design starts with trust. From the first conversation, Luis and Bren of MAKEBARDO weren’t just building a brand identity—they were solving the right problem. They asked the right questions, listened for what wasn’t being said, and worked with the kind of clarity and detail that makes you realise you’re in safe hands. I came to them with half-formed ideas, scattered thoughts, and the kind of enthusiasm that could go in ten different directions. They took it all—every sketch, tangent, and over-explained thought—and distilled it into something that felt inevitable, like Golden had always looked this way. Their process was so considered that trust was never a question. Their ability to translate complexity into something sharp, intentional, and lasting is rare. MAKEBARDO didn’t just make the process seamless—it was the kind of collaboration that defines a brand. —Morg Fisher, Founder
