Ben Stiller Launches Small Line of ‘Healthy, Classic’ Sodas

Add another name to the list of celebrities starting food or beverage businesses. Actor/director Ben Stiller just launched a short line of “healthy carbonated beverages, inspired by the classic flavors of old, that are seriously good to drink… all natural, low in calories, and still tastes exactly like soda.”

Lemon lime, Shirley Temple and root beer are the initial flavors of Stiller’s, marketed by Stiller’s Beverage Co. Each contains 30 calories, most from the organic cane sugar. More sweetness comes from agave, organic stevia and monk fruit. The Shirley Temple is “made with real cherries.”

As for differentiation, a read of the lemon lime label reveals it’s a “great source” of vitamins B12, C and D – 100% of the daily value for each of them – but has “none of that prebiotic [bullshit is bleeped out],” according to a video on the company website.

The website also has a photo of Ben with his sister and parents, actors and comedians (Jerry) Stiller and (Anne) Meara. Ben waxes nostalgic about his parents taking them to swanky New York restaurants where Ben and his sister could order Shirley Temples.

The sodas currently are available in New York City-area markets and nationwide via Amazon, although Stiller’s plans to expand into Walmart.com in the coming months, possibly with a nationwide retail rollout next year.