Winning Awards Since 2005

Over the years, red espresso® has been proudly celebrated for winning numerous global awards. For product innovation, product excellence, marketing excellence and more.

Most Innovative Specialty Beverage Company: LUXLife Magazine Food and Drink Awards 2024, United Kingdom

Nic Reid, our Co-Founder and Head of Product Development, has won our company the esteemed title of Most Innovative Specialty Beverage Company from the LUXLife Food and Drink Awards 2024 based in the United Kingdom, for the premium range of innovative beverages he has created. These include our signature rooibos espresso and red cappuccino® in single serve formats as well our matcha lattes, superfood lattes, vegan chai lattes and gourmet hot chocolates.

Judges focused on the overall business performance and longevity of the company as well as the significance of the innovations in the red espresso® product range and found these to be best in class and most relevant in meeting today’s consumer need for quality, convenience and better-for-you choices. Premiumization, affordability and availability were noted as key factors in the judges’ decision.

Beverages Entrepreneur of the Year: Corporate Vision Magazine Global Small Business Awards 2024 , United Kingdom

Pete Ethelston, Co-Founder and Managing Director of red espresso®, was awarded the Global Business Awards Beverages Entrepreneur of the Year 2024. Pete has been at the helm of red espresso® since inception in 2005. The 2024 Global Business Awards are based in the United Kingdom and are a celebration of business leadership, innovation and sector success across the globe.

The Coffee Food Review / Symrise New Product of the Year 2006, South Africa

In its first year of launch, red espresso® earned top honor by winning Best New Product in the 2006 SA Food Review / Symrise New Product Competition. “Putting a sophisticated spin on an old stalwart and taking [Rooibos] to a whole new level” was the unanimous response from South Africa Food Review’s adjudicating panel.

Best New Product – Specialty Beverage – Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) 2008/9, USA

red espresso® earned the specialty coffee industry’s highest honor by winning “Best New Product” in the Specialty Beverage category at the world’s largest coffee show, the SCAA Specialty Coffee Association of America’s 20th Annual Conference & Exhibition, held in Minneapolis in 2008. red espresso® made history as the first tea to win in the specialty beverage category, as well as the first South African company to win a SCAA award.

World Tea Expo – Top 10 New Product, USA

Out of 220 new product entries, red espresso® was celebrated as one of the Top 10 Best New Products at World Tea Expo, held in Las Vegas in 2008. No official winner was chosen.

IUFoST (International Union of Food Science & Technology) Global Food Award for Product Innovation 2008, Shanghai

In 2008, red espresso® was awarded the Global Food Award for Product Innovation at the IUFoST (International Union of Food Science & Technology) Global Food Industry Awards, which took place in Shanghai, China. red espresso® was nominated by SAAFoST (South African Association for Science & Technology) for its technical innovation of pioneering the world’s first tea espresso and, out of 10 shortlisted entries from around the globe, won first prize.

Sunday Times Marketing Excellence Awards 2009, South Africa

In 2009, Monique Ethelston, Co-Founder and Global Marketing Director for red espresso®, was voted Rising Star of the Year in the prestigious Sunday Times Marketing Excellence Awards. The awards “recognize and reward the marketing discipline in the South African boardroom in its many facets and all that comprises a great marketing campaign, including image, innovation, creativity, pricing and distribution – the complete ambit of the marketing mix

IPSA Gold Pack Top 10 Awards 2017, South Africa

The IPSA Gold Pack Awards is the showcase for the South African packaging industry, and in November 2017, Nic Reid, the designer behind the red espresso® brand, received top honors for his design of the red espresso® product range.

Most Innovative Specialty Beverage: LUXLife Magazine Food and Drink Awards 2020, United Kingdom

Nic Reid, Co-founder and Head of Product Development, won red espresso® the esteemed title of Most Innovative Specialty Beverage from the LUXLife Magazine Food and Drink Awards 2020 for his range of vegan chai latte and superfood latte powders. Winners were judged on the following criteria: business performance, longevity, business growth and significant innovations.

The Food & Drink Awards commend businesses who prove themselves to be innovators in one of the world’s most competitive industries by bringing fresh, exciting ideas forward, and celebrate the outstanding achievements made by those looking to solidify their reputation as industry leaders

Beverages Entrepreneur of the Year: Corporate Vision Magazine Global Small Business Awards 2020 , United Kingdom

Pete Ethelston, Co-Founder and Managing Director of red espresso®, was awarded Beverages Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 from the Corporate Vision Magazine Global Small Business Awards based in the United Kingdom. Pete has been at the helm of red espresso® since inception in 2005.

Each year, Corporate Vision Magazine proudly seeks out the very best that the small business community has to offer on a global basis. “Small businesses and their dedicated owners form the solid foundation of our global corporate landscape, despite the trying hardships and obstacles they may incur along the path to success. What is so special about a small business, is that their success is not measured by size, number of employees, not even annual turnover. Instead, its success is demonstrated through innovative products and services, an exemplary reputation within their industry and customer satisfaction across the board.