Sophisticated & Refreshing
Mediterranean Refresher Certified Organic
Apple Cider Vinegar No Preservatives Mediterranean Refresher Certified Organic
No Artificial Sweeteners Low Calorie Apple Cider Vinegar No Preservatives
No Artificial Sweeteners Low Calorie
Press Kit
www.SilkRoadSoda.com
Introduction
New & Refreshing
The Story
It begins with his love for culture, food and a passion to
share the flavors of a Mediterranean diet that Silk Road
Soda founder, Payam Fardanesh grew up with. With his
grandmother's reci pe as his inspiration, Payam began
developing Silk Road Soda. Flavors originating in Greece,
Iran and India that were first described in the ancient
writings of Hi ppocrates are found in the trade secret “
Grandma's Reci pe” that is providing a “road” of
possibilities with this exciting new drink. Silk Road Soda
brings the taste of Western culture to the East in an
exciting and pure, certified organic soda. The American
palate has welcomed this lightly carbonated, sophisticated
and refreshing artisan beverage.
Cultural Inspiration
Silk Road Soda is a certified organic Mediterraneanstyle nonalcoholic beverage opening up an appealing
new beverage category segment: contemporary sodas.
This unique and sophisticated beverage was
introduced in March 2013 with three refreshing
flavors, Original Mint, Cucumber Mint and Pomegranate
Mint. Clients, consumers and retailers enthusiastically
embraced this new refreshment for its flavor, its pure
ingredients and the story of its making.
With a focus on the local market in the Greater
Sacramento area, the product was initially presented to
high-end grocery stores, health food stores and yoga
studios because of its pure ingredients and refreshing
flavors. A cost-effective and personal approach was
initiated to promote the product and acquire testmarketing perspectives as Payam personally provided
tastings, telling the Silk Road Soda story and developing
the product’’’s “drink local” personality. The product was
so well received the original market expanded to upper
echelon restaurants and bars who have embraced the
product and the story, pairing flavors as a mixer or
nonalcoholic alternative for their distinguished clientele.
Local Market
Drink Local
www.SilkRoadSoda.com
Fast Success
Market & Momentum
Following just one year of development 100,000 Silk Road
Sodas were locally bottled in Sonoma County. For the first
two months Silk Road Soda was self-distributed by Payam
out of his car. The company was quickly realizing success
and self-distribution resources were no longer meeting
demands. A local specialty beer distributor out of Auburn
was then selected to fulfill distribution needs and acquire
new Silk Road Soda accounts.
Even with a limited distribution network and a bootstrapped
marketing budget, Silk Road Soda realized an early success of
180 retail locations and growing established in an astonishing
first six months of operations, surpassing the company's
original projections.
All Silk Road Soda flavors hold a delicate
balance between sweet and savory through an
infusion of apple cider and white vinegar,s
without the citric acid component commonly
found in sodas. There is no caffeine, no
artificial sweeteners and the product uses all
certified organic ingredients including certified
organic cane sugar. It is uniquely pasteurized
eliminating the need for preservatives while
remaining shelf stable. With a lower caloric
content than popular diet sodas, Silk Road
Soda is an appealing alternative for the health
conscious individual who aspires to drink
something more sophisticated and wholesome.
Many health-minded individuals say, ”I don't
drink soda, but I drink Silk Road.””New
culturally inspired flavors are coming in the
Spring.
Flavors
Organic Flavors
of “Pure””Success
Refreshing News
Good Taste in the Media
Building the Silk Road Soda brand in unique and costeffective ways has contributed to the fast pace realization of
the company's success. Regional media has provided a wide
reach of exposure, driving the rapid acceptance of Silk Road
Soda and establishing brand recognition locally. Local media
continues to focus on Silk Road Soda with interest in its story
and continued success having received significant recognition
from multi ple sources from its earliest stages of operation.
Silk Road Soda continues to be in the spotlight. Links to past
media coverage can be found on the company's website,
www.silkroadsoda.com
Viral “Buzz”
Fueled by local enthusiasm and media
recognition, the unique nature of Silk Road Soda
has created a significant viral “buzz” allowing
the company to leverage social media with an
amazing 7500 views per week and growing.
The company intends to further develop the
social media presence through the Silk Road
Soda website, blogs, and mixologist reci pe
sharing with partici pation from bars, restaurants
and event highlights.
Social Media
Roseville man pays tribute to grandmother
with Mediterranean beverage company
In order to maintain momentum and opportunity Silk
Road Soda continues to position itself as the “Designer
Refreshment” making its presence at prestigious and well
credited events both local and national. Continued
partici pation in events such as the Tower Bridge Farm to
Fork Dinner, Innovative North State held at Sierra Nevada
Brewery and The Fancy Food Show held in San
Francisco and New York City held in January and June,
2014 respectively will create new and reinforced
awareness while supporting the next phase of
development as the company moves into a national
rollout.
Market Differentiators
The excitement and uniqueness
of Silk Road Soda is
highlighted in the distinct
characteristics that differentiate
this refreshing beverage from
any other on the market.
Mediterranean Refresher
Apple Cider Vinegar
Certified Organic
No Preservatives
No Artificial Sweeteners
Low Calorie
Sophisticated & Diverse
Marketability
Road to the Future
The “Designer Refreshment”
at Prestigious Events
Silk Road Soda Cocktails
Inspired by local enthusiasm in early marketing initiatives, diversity
of the product has been realized. High-end restaurants enjoy
serving Silk Road Soda as a sophisticated nonalcoholic beverage
choice, while mixologists have embraced Silk Road Soda as a
sophisticated mixer to develop and promote signature cocktails.
Silk Road Soda Inspired
Cocktails
recipes by local mixologists
Pimm’s Silk Cup
Inspired by Brad Peters - Hock Farm Crafts & Provisions
3 oz. Silk Road Soda - Cucumber Mint
1.5 oz. Pimm’s No. 1 Cup (Gin)
1/4 oz. Lime
Splash of Cranberry
In a Collins Glass on ICE
Mint sprig garnish
Inspired by Chef & Owner Kim Scott - Mama Kim Eats
4 oz. Silk Road Soda - Pomegranate Mint
1.5 oz. Sake (rice wine)
1 slice muddled or pressed Jalepeno
In a Collins Glass on ICE
Jalepeno garnish
Classic Silk & Spice
Andrew Calisterio, Bar Consultant, Instagram: @boozehoundcc
3 oz. Silk Road Soda - Original Mint
1.5 oz. Spiced Rum (Sailor Jerry)
1/2 oz. Lemon
1/4 oz. Almond Syrup Terrani
1/4 oz. Simply Syrup
In a Collins Glass on ICE
Mint sprig garnish
Product Diversity
Hot Silk & Sake
Mediterranean Refresher
Sophisticated & Refreshing
Apple Cider Vinegar No Preservatives Mediterranean Refresher Certified Organic
No Artificial Sweeteners Low Calorie Apple Cider Vinegar No Preservatives
No Artificial Sweeteners Low Calorie
Order
Pomegranate
with Mint
www.SilkRoadSoda.com
Original Mint
Cucumber
with Mint