Experience the uplifting power of mushrooms with Zooz

Zooz, the mushroom powered adult soft drink which launched in September is already expanding its offering to meet demand. The brand is soon launching two new expressions in addition to its original, which is being renamed Zooz Elevate. The new products will be available from early 2025.

Mushrooms – one of the oldest groups of organisms on earth – is taking centre stage in one of the newest zero-alcohol soft drinks, Zooz. This is an innovative non-alcoholic wellness drink powered by mushrooms. Zooz Elevate appeals to those who want a soft drink that tastes good with meals or as an aperitif due to its zesty, Italian citrus taste notes and petillant sparkle.

Zooz is the brainchild of former personal trainer, Daniel Soos. Its inventor believes that his innovation will kick-start a new category of sophisticated soft drinks that taste good and do you good. Zooz is sugar-free, gluten free, plastic-free and has no artificial additives.

The new expressions are Zooz Meditate and Zooz Activate. Quite simply, each does what it says on the tin. Each of the three wellness drinks is designed to serve a different function but all take advantage of the power of mushrooms, which are increasingly being recognised as an important addition to a healthy diet. Zooz Activate tastes of Tropical Guava. It is designed to assist with energy and physical endurance. The key ingredients are: shilajit, thought to improve endurance; cordyceps mushrooms, which it is believed support endurance and provide stamina; electrolytes to replenish and hydrate the body; ginseng and astragalus, both said to assist immunity; and natural caffeine for an active energy boost. Zooz Activate is for adults who are pursuing an active lifestyle who need a natural energy edge.  

Zooz Meditate has a cacao vanilla flavour and, unlike the other two variants, is a still, non-carbonated beverage designed to help you wind down at the end of the evening or to prepare for relaxation activity such as meditation. As the name suggests, it is designed to promote serenity, relaxation, and stress relief. Ingredients include valerian root, for its perceived calming properties; reishi mushrooms; and chamomile which is associated with relaxation. 

Zooz Elevate, the original expression, retains its original formula. It includes Lion’s Mane mushrooms that contain beta-glucan and are thought to aid cognition; cordyceps mushrooms, whose active ingredient, Cordycepin, is believed to improve endurance; ginseng, which can help the immune system; and natural green caffeine, to boost the metabolism. Mushrooms are causing interest among scientists. According to Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and scientific co-founder at ZOE, who was speaking at a fungi event at Fortnum & Mason recently, mushrooms “are closer to humans than plants”.  Like us, “they sunbathe and produce vitamins D and B12”. Fungi have survived tens of millions of years. Fungi have advanced dietary benefits including anti-inflammatory properties. 

The creator of Zooz, 27-year-old Daniel Soos, is a former competitive swimming champion and personal trainer to top businesspeople and celebrities. The company he founded, Soos Drink Ltd based in London, took four years to develop the first product which was launched in September 2024.

Daniel Soos, founder and CEO of Zooz, says: “One day, walking through a supermarket, I envisioned my mushroom-based product on the shelves and decided to make it a reality. I quit personal training and devoted everything to this dream of helping to improve people’s health.”

He adds: “Zooz original has been well received and so I am excited to launch the two new expressions. With our use of mushrooms, we are a whole new sub-category of adult soft drinks. The increasing interest in drinks that do good, taste good and do you good in growing. Zooz is at the forefront of this upturn in the no- & low-market – functional, wellness drinks that taste good and whose flavours will have wide appeal to adults whose palates are jaded by sweet, overly-caffeinated drinks.”Helping the arts

The brand also just launched an arts initiative whereby emerging artists and musicians will be selected to work in a specially created Zooz studio with a chance of having their work showcased to millions. The innovative programme to support and celebrate the creativity of young and emerging artists.

Each month, the programme, Zooz Elevate, will select five young and emerging artists working in the medium of painting and five musicians, to invite to the Zooz studio for a day each. Those artists whose work encapsulates the brand will be invited to work with Zooz as creative ambassadors and have the opportunity to exhibit or perform in the West End of London.

In addition, the resulting works will be showcased by the brand on social media and its website. Bespoke materials will be provided in the studio, plus the space will offer time and a place to think and meditate. Asked about the reasons for the initiative, Daniel said: “This arts project is the kind of initiative only an established brand might be expected to launch. But from the get-go, I wanted to stand alongside those who are pushing the boundaries, being creative and expanding horizons. We want to help support and elevate creative thinking among artists. The artists will be invited to create works that visualise the future. We will identify those who, as artists, can contribute to elevating consciousness and have the ability to cut through.”

Artists can apply to be considered for a place in the Zooz Elevate Programme by emailing elevateme@zooz.com  or visiting  zoozdrinks.com. Buy Zooz direct at zoozdrinks.com or taste this fine drink in some of London’s high-end bars and hotels.

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