DTC beverage brands are having a serious moment.
With recent launches of drink brands like Taika (coffee) and Ghia (a non-alcoholic aperitif), they seem to be popping up nonstop.
So there are tons of incredible Shopify stores to pull inspiration from. Not just for other beverage brands, but for any product.
These 6 DTC drink brands are on fire. They're meant to inspire your home page, product photos, and overall design. Because there’s a ton you can learn from what they’re doing right.
So this post is jam-packed with screenshots to show you exactly what you can tweak on your own site to make it wow-worthy.
Just click on any of the brands below and you’ll jump right to the section they’re featured in. And see just what makes them so good.
And if you need another new hobby to take on from home, you might want to try a couple of these. My kitchen has definitely seen a few of these brands in the last couple months. 😳
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Like many founders, Haus’ husband and wife duo, Helena and Woody Hambrecht, were looking for something they couldn’t find anywhere on the market. So they decided to make it themselves.
The alcohol industry hasn’t evolved since prohibition, so they decided to change that with aperitifs that are made of only real ingredients and delivered straight to the consumer, without a middleman.
The moment you land on Haus’ home page you see how seriously their team takes design, especially product photos.
You don’t see faces, but you can picture yourself at this party, can’t you?
And the large, bold lettering really stands out.
As you’ll see, Helena’s background in photography and creative really shines through every aspect of the site.
Below the fold, you immediately see, The Restaurant Project, Haus’ effort to help restaurants weather closings due to COVID-19.
And the home page wouldn’t be complete without a little social proof. But what makes this particular review section so great is that there are reviews for specific products and you can easily shop both right from there.
Take a close look at this dinner party shot. Most food photos feature untouched food and silverware and super clean surfaces. Not this one. It’s complete with crumbs on the table, partially-eaten pasta, a napkin on the table. It looks like a real dinner party. You can see yourself at that table with your friends. And if people can envision themselves using your product, they’re more likely to make a purchase.
Unsurprisingly, this sense of personality and relatability carries right into their ‘About’ page. The first photo is of the whole family in a pumpkin patch in casual outfits, spending time together. It makes you think, “OK, they’re just a regular couple,” rather than a glamorous power couple you can’t necessarily identify with.
“We're all about more hangouts and less hangovers.” I LOVE that line. It also implies that there might be other products in the future, since they’re “starting with aperitifs.” We’ll see...
“Less “go up on a Tuesday” and more “tell jokes and hatch brilliant business schemes on a Thursday,” Haus is designed to be a social ritual. For that moment in the day when we can slow down, wake up, and be present with people we like.”
Can’t you tell exactly what their brand is about just based on that description? I especially like the part about being with “people we like.”
And because Haus is all about making a better drink, of course there’s a section about some of the ingredients they use to create them.
Their ‘About’ page not only does a great job explaining what their product is and why it’s better than the traditional alcohol we’re used to, but also sheds light on the couple behind the brand – a great combination that gives a bigger picture look at what they’re all about.
Before you even get to the product page, hovering over ‘Shop’ on the far left side of the navigation displays a few of their bestsellers.
When you’re selecting the number of bottles you’d like, the descriptions change to better describe what the different options (1, 2, and 6) are meant for.
As you can see in the photo above, the description for 1 bottle is “for when you don't feel like sharing.” 2 says, “One for date night, one for poker night.” And 6 is “For intimate gatherings.”
Such an easy way to make a call about what’s right for you. And if you miss it there, further down on the page you see it laid out differently.
They also do a great job with education on the product pages, knowing that many first-time visitors won’t know much about what they sell.
This image makes it super clear what’s so good about Haus. 1. Less alcohol. 2. It’s made with real ingredients. 3. It comes straight to your door.
Along the same lines, they also include ways to drink Haus – on the rocks or with tonic. Both with beautiful product shots, of course.
Recess’ sparkling water infused with hemp extract and adaptogens is “an antidote to modern times.” So their entire site is designed to be zen. And their mission, “to help people feel calm, focused, and creative despite the world around them,” couldn’t be more perfect for the world we’re living in right now.
The home page is exactly what you’d imagine. An oasis-like backdrop that’s reminiscent of a sunset you’d see on an island somewhere. And I highly recommend actually going to check out their site, because they’ve incorporated a lot of motion into it that makes it super interesting. For instance the can you see on the right opens when you first get to the site and the clouds mimic the sky, slowly moving across the screen. As you continue to scroll, you’ll see that the clouds continue on the rest of the page.
And if you’re still not sure how their drinks are supposed to make you feel, these three words should make it really easy. This is another part of the site that you should see with your own eyes because the motion aspect is so eye catching.
When you hover over any of the cans, the whole page is responsive and changes to a theme that makes sense for the flavor you’re looking at. So Coconut Lime (the light green can all the way to the left) looks like this:
This section also makes it really simple to shop. When you click on any of the cans, you’ll go straight to the product page and can check out from there.
They, like everyone else in the world, had a little extra time on their hands in quarantine. So they designed a line of what they call, ‘realitywear.’
Unsurprisingly, the Recess product pages are 🔥. Just like the images on the homepage, the product pages are each designed to match the flavor you’re looking at. So let’s take a look at Coconut Lime.
They make it incredibly easy to see the price you’re paying for each can based on quantity and subscription status. So if I’m looking at the 8 pack, which is only available for a one time purchase, I’ll be paying $4.99/can. But if I subscribe, I’ll get a 12 pack every two weeks for $4.16/can.
It says, “coconut lime likes to claim, without proof, that he is close friends with several billionaires. if you ask him what's new, he will say “just hustling bro, big things comin” and if you press him for details, he will change the subject. he mostly spends his weekends online, racking up karma on reddit and moderating the jason mraz fan club message board.”
Then in bullets:
We all know someone kind of like this (whether or not we like them is a totally different story), so it makes the brand relatable and funny.
They also make the ingredients really clear in a visually appealing way for each flavor and break down what they’re good for in a way that makes sense to everyone and isn’t jargon-y at all. So the quick description for american ginseng is: “helps you focus, improves memory.”
You’ll also notice that the background colors shift as you scroll. So what started as a light green, turns into a peach-y color further down.
Sunwink’s sparkling tonics have been a serious guilty pleasure during quarantine. I’m not getting 2 $4 coffees every day, right? So I’ve been treating myself to these bad boys. And let me tell you – they’re SO good.
Like Recess, Sunwink’s home page does a killer job setting you up to understand what their brand is all about: bringing you ‘wellness in a bottle.’
And in one scroll, you’re able to shop their products, which is great for getting visitors to product pages ASAP.
You’ll notice that their site has a lot of circles, which even carries through to the design on their labels, making it feel like a really cohesive experience across every touchpoint.
The second section of Sunwink’s navigation is dedicated to their philosophy. Clearly it’s important to them, and a huge part of why the founders created the brand, so they decided to create a page dedicated to it.
I especially like the way they position their drinks and explain how and why they’re better than traditional beverages: “The vast majority of the beverage industry doesn’t create beverages with your body in mind. It’s all profit over purpose. Your average drink is made with processed ingredients, flavor additives and sugars. We’re here to change that.”
I love the color blocking they use to break up the page and dig further into their process. And the photos are awesome. They fit the aesthetic that was used on the home page perfectly, carrying the theme through really well.
Sunwink’s product pages are relatively simple, but do a great job showcasing what makes them so good. Like Recess, they make it really easy to select a one time purchase or subscription option.
And rather than just having one image of the drink in a pretty sterile setting, they include a couple other photos that make it really easy to picture in your own life. Like this image that’s clearly staged, but doesn’t feel over-produced.
Next you get to the review section, which, like the rest of the page, is really clean and straightforward. I really like the fact that the background color changes from white to the peach color, making it stand out. The use of the bright blue and pink to add pops of color is also on point.
The last thing worth calling out on the product page is the section at the bottom of the page that suggests other flavors you might be interested in, making it really easy to toggle between pages.
Goodmylk Co. makes plant-based milk products without taking any shortcuts. When Goodmylk Founder, Brooke Rewa, started experimenting with real ingredients that led to a healthier lifestyle, she wanted to share that with the world.
This is another one you’re going to want to see with your own eyes. The hero image is actually a video. And I promise it’ll make you want a latte. 🤤
I love that one of the first things you see is a quote. It’s not the way they see their product, but how an actual customer thinks about their brand, which is much more powerful. It’s “the new holy grail of plant-based mylks.”
It’s also selling you on a vision first, product second. Yes, you can see their product in the background, but the main focus is on the latte – something their product can certainly be used to make, but not the actual product they sell.
Like many of the other brands we’ve seen so far, they make it really easy to start shopping right on the home page.
I mean just look at their branding and packaging. The subtle mustaches, the font, colors, everything is just so good.
And the graphic they use to show how they’re better than the almond milks you’re used to is awesome. It’s simple but really effective. You immediately see what makes Goodmylk different. They use actual almonds, real ingredients, and no processed sugars. Makes it a really easy choice, right?
Goodmylk’s product pages are sleek and simple. And most of the information first-time buyers would be looking for can be found above the fold because of the ability to toggle between Details, Ingredients, and How To Use.
The 'How To Use' section gives a really clear set of instructions so you know exactly what you’re signing up for and not surprised when you receive a product that’s not ready to go out of the bag.
And a lot of the page as you scroll is just meant to reiterate why Goodmylk is a better choice than many of the store bought brands you’re used to.
Rather than just having the frequently asked questions live on a separate page, they also have them at the bottom of the product pages which is a great experience. Definitely an easy way to repurpose information you already have.
Usual Wines crafts “large glasses of real wine, by the bottle.” In case that’s leaving you a little confused, they’re all about single-serving wine that’s sustainably made, without added sugars and sulfites And by the way, Usual’s sister brand, VINEBOX, also has a site worth checking out.
Ususal’s site is definitely one of my favorites. Their product photos are gorgeous, but not overly produced, the black outlines feel really bold and break up the sections really clearly, and there’s movement to keep you engaged.
Just as you start to scroll further, you see a carousel of bold text that reads, “ A large glass of real wine, by the bottle.Have fine wine and drink it too.”
As you scroll a little further, you get to a product that makes total sense since it’s almost summertime, Rosé with bubbles.
What stands out in the last few photos is the fact that there’s a CTA in every section. And even though the buttons say different things (like ‘Try It Now’ and ‘Shop Wines’), they’re all bringing you to the same place: the page with all the products.
Before you even get to the product page, their menu is worth digging into. Unlike many others, it takes over the entire screen and the photos are insane (and responsive to the item you hover over).
The condensation beading up on the bottles, the reflections, one bottle turned on it’s side. It’s unreal. And that’s before you even click on a specific product.
Once you’re on the actual page, it gets even better.
When you click ‘Change Quantity’ you’ll see the different quantity options populate where the product description used to be. It’s also really helpful to see that every option, with the exception of the box of 6 glasses, qualifies for free shipping. Without having to go to your cart or the checkout page.
Then the number of bubbles in a single bottle (more than 6,000). Something about that makes me laugh.
And the ability to add the item to your cart and change the quantity follows as you scroll, which is a great feature.
Even the language they use for reviews is clever: I love that they use ‘Word on the street,’ rather than the usual copy you see.
Hydrant is a hydration mix, created to hydrate you quickly (say that 3x fast). It dissolves in water, has up to 3x the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks, and significantly less sugar.
When coffee, energy drinks, and gallons of plain water weren’t enough, the founders came up with a better way. That’s where Hydrant comes in.
Showing the packets at the very top of the home page makes it really clear what their product is: individual packs that you mix with water to get hydrated.
And have resources dedicated to education.
This is where Hydrant really shines. Like Recess, the theme of the page changes when you select a different flavor. Lime is, of course, green. But the gradient gives it more depth.
Same with grapefruit:
As you scroll, you’ll see how easy it is to drink Hydrant and a quick video about the science behind the product
And, like we’ve seen before, the ability to add the product to your cart follows along at the bottom of the page as you scroll.
They also have FAQs at the bottom of the page.
Hydrant also has a couple other pages worth checking out. Their quiz to help new customers find the product that’s right for them. And an entire page dedicated to reviews.