Why We Use Natural Cane Sugar and Real Ingredients (And Skip Artificial Sweeteners & Flavours)
When we started The County Bounty, we didn’t set out to make “a soda.” We set out to make a better drink — one that tastes like real fruit, feels good to serve, and fits the way people actually want to enjoy beverages today.
That decision comes down to one simple philosophy: real ingredients, real flavour, no shortcuts. Here’s why we choose natural cane sugar and all-natural ingredients instead of artificial sweeteners and artificial flavourings.
1) Real fruit tastes different — because it is different
There’s a reason fresh fruit and herbs taste vibrant and layered: they’re complex. When you build a soda with real ingredients, you get natural depth — the bright top notes, the softer middle, and that clean finish that makes you want another sip.
Artificial flavours can be loud, one-note, and “perfume-y.” They’re designed to imitate an idea of flavour rather than deliver the real thing. For us, that’s not the goal. We want our sodas to taste like the ingredients they’re made from — because they are.
2) Cane sugar gives a cleaner, more balanced sweetness
We use natural cane sugar because it’s straightforward: it sweetens, it supports the flavour, and it delivers a familiar, clean finish when used thoughtfully.
Artificial sweeteners can bring along side effects that many people notice — a lingering aftertaste, an odd “diet” note, or a sweetness that hits hard and sticks around. With cane sugar, you can build a sweetness that feels balanced, not overpowering.
Our approach is simple: sweeten with intention, so the fruit and botanicals stay in the spotlight.
3) Transparency matters: you should be able to recognize what you’re drinking
We believe your beverage shouldn’t read like a chemistry set. Using all-natural ingredients means we can keep our recipes honest and understandable — the kind of ingredient list you can pronounce and feel confident serving to friends, family, or guests.
It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being clear.
4) Real ingredients support real communities
Choosing natural ingredients is also a choice about where things come from. We’re proud to be rooted in Prince Edward County, and we love working with small Ontario farms and local producers whenever possible.
When you use real fruit, herbs, and botanicals, you’re supporting agriculture and craftsmanship — not just flavour systems in a lab. It’s better for the story, better for the product, and better for the people behind it.
5) We’re building a soda you can feel good about serving
Whether you’re stocking a hotel fridge, building a non-alcoholic program, mixing cocktails, or just grabbing something cold from your own fridge — we want County Bounty to be the kind of drink you’re proud to offer.
All-natural ingredients make that easy. They signal care. They signal quality. And most importantly, they make a soda that tastes genuinely good.
The bottom line
We’re not here to tell anyone what they should drink. But we are here to be clear about what we believe:
Real fruit and botanicals create better flavour.
Natural cane sugar delivers a clean, balanced sweetness.
All-natural ingredients make labels simpler and choices easier.
Sourcing real ingredients supports real communities.
That’s why we do it this way — and why every can of The County Bounty is made to taste like the place we’re from.