Bollygood, a brand-new line of Indian-inspired sparkling beverages, the first of its kind, has hit the US market. The sparkling beverage is a spin on India’s Nimbu Pani, a popular South Indian drink. However, Bollygood’s version is low in sugar, consists of natural ingredients, and is a healthy option for children and adults. 

While grocery store frozen food sections are becoming increasingly stocked with microwavable Indian dishes, there is a lack of representation of other aspects of Indian cuisine, particularly in the beverage space.

Bollygood is the inspiration of Maxine Henderson, who spent her summers in her parents’ native India with her grandparents, where she fondly remembers riding elephants and everything revolving around food.

A mother of four and an Electrical Engineer by trade, Henderson is detail oriented and wanted to ensure that the drink she created would be low in sugar, healthy and safe for children and adults to enjoy, and have the best possible flavor.  After many iterations, she landed on a recipe and added her own twists, carbonation and pink Himalayan salt, to create the first sparkling Indian-inspired beverage for the North American market. She takes pride in sourcing her ingredients, choosing to use the best all natural ingredients available without including anything artificial. Bollygood is currently available in Lemon Ginger Mint and Lime Basil Cumin flavors, with more in development.

For Bollygood, Henderson designed the packaging with each aspect aligning with her experiences growing up in an Indian family: the cans display paisley patterns, reminiscent of those found on saris and lehengas, Indian dancers practicing Bharatanatyam, and elephants on a black background with bright colors that represent the bright colors of Indian spices and heritage.

The new beverage is marked by its diversity and can be used as a thirst quencher, to hydrate children, enjoyed at any meal, and the beautifully designed cans are sure to impress any guest at celebratory occasions. The beverages can also be used as a mixer to pair with one’s favorite spirit to create delicious Indian-inspired cocktails.

Helping Henderson with the business operations is her husband Alan Henderson, a former NBA player who owns Henderson Spirits Group. He entered the beverage arena for much of the same reason as his wife; he found that there was very little African American representation in the spirits industry and wanted to diversify the spirits business. Having entered the beverage industry a few years earlier than Maxine, he supports Bollygood with the knowledge he gained from making his own way through the industry.

Bollygood is available for purchase through the company website and offers a ten-percent discount to those who subscribe for monthly deliveries. The beverage can also be found on Amazon.