The WKD drink is one of the most iconic of the 90’s alcopop revolution. Said company did and do make a range of drinks, but it always the sickly sweet WKD Blue that stole our hearts.
And I know all about this as this happened exactly as I started to drink!
What is WKD drink?
WKD, which is pronounced “wicked”, which is London parlance means good first came out in 1996 by Beverage Brands and by 2006 were the number one selling ready to drink alcopop in 2006.
And with their advertising slogan of “‘Have you got a WKD (for “wicked”) side?’ The gained cult lie status. Their principal brand of WKD Original uses actual vodka mixed into the drunk, rather than wine, as with Spy Wine Cooler. The recipe, which is secret has apparently remained unchanged since.
The WKD Drink Range
Aside from the classic WKD their most famous other flavor was alcoholic Irn Bru! Itself another firm sensation in a bottle.
| WKD Blue | “Mixed-fruit” flavour | 1996 | |
| 2 | WKD Pink Gin | Pink coloured, raspberry flavour | 2021 |
| 3 | WKD Iron Brew | Orange coloured, Irn-Bru flavour | 1996 |
| 4 | WKD Orange & Passionfruit | Amber coloured, passion fruit and orange flavour | 2023 |
| 5 | WKD Raspberry Lemonade | Cerise coloured, raspberry and lemon flavour | 2021 |
| 6 | WKD Berry Blast | Red coloured, raspberry flavour | 2022 |
| 7 | WKD Love Island | Purple coloured, Grape flavour | 2024 |
| 8 | WKD Blue Non-alcoholic | Blue Coloured, “mixed fruit” flavour, alcohol free | 2024 |
Discontinued WKD drinks
Alas when there are survivors, there also have to be victims. Here are the former #WKDQuest products.
Discontinued varieties
- WKD Original Vodka Silver
Clear, “tropical” flavour.
- WKD Blonde
Apple-flavoured, but not cider-based; yellow.
- WKD Core
Cider-based drink, apple-flavoured, green. Introduced 2009.
- WKD Purple
“Mixed berry” flavour.
- WKD Green
Green apple flavour.
- WKD Orange
Orange-flavoured and coloured.
- WKD Vegas
“Mixed fruit” flavour, dark purple.
WKD and pop culture – The Check Vimto
There is a famous cocktail where you mix port with WKD Blue and it becomes alcoholic Vimto, thus combining two great drinks. The crazy thing here is not only does it work, but it is bloody good.
WKD also spawned a number of copycat drinks with similar names and look throughout the world. Few would argue that even greats like Tanduay Blue and Rio Drink are but mere copies of a greater product!
And lastly if you were a certain age you got drunk on this, hell we even thought we were classy doing it. Should you also have been born in the early 80’’s it was drinks like this that meant we no longer gad to drink 20/20 or Super Brew – and for that we thank WKD Blue!