The Sizzling Success of Lahori Zeera: India's Homegrown Spice Drink
Three entrepreneurs, Saurabh Munjal, Saurabh Bhutna, and Nikhil Doda, are posing a significant challenge to Mukesh Ambani's Campa Cola, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi. They have constructed a beverage brand valued at Rs 312 crore that defies description.
Ditch the artificial bubble, go for the authentic zing! That's the mantra behind the rocketing success of Lahori Zeera, a chemical-free beverage brand. Born in a kitchen itself, this Indian soda story is brewed with the essence of tradition and health.
Updated: June 03, 2025, 01:13 PM IST
In a country where soft drinks are often synonymous with synthetic flavors, Lahori Zeera stormed the market. This natural, homegrown brand offers an electrifying twist to regular soft drinks, radically altering the soft drink industry. Originating from a simple home kitchen, Lahori Zeera is now a noteworthy competitor battling giant brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The brainchild of three cousins - Saurabh Munjal, Saurabh Bhutna, and Nikhil Doda, Lahori Zeera was founded under their company, Archian Foods Pvt. Ltd., headquartered in Fatehgarh, Punjab, in 2017.
Three cousins turned entrepreneurs!
Their tale begins when Nikhil created a cumin-flavored drink, which eventually became the star ingredient of Lahori Zeera. The simple drink recipe tasted so great that the cousins decided to make it their business. The young team, driven by their shared passion for creating a product that tasted like home and was sans chemicals, started Archian Foods Pvt. Ltd.
Lahori Zeera evolved from a singular drink to a range of quintessential Indian flavors that include Lahori Nimbu, Lahori Kacha Aam, and Lahori Shikanji – all inspired by traditional Indian recipes and street-style flavor profiles.
The A-list choice for health-conscious consumers
Lahori Zeera stands out as it is made from natural ingredients like Lahori namak (rock salt). With its chemical-free formula and traditional flavor, Lahori Zeera has become a pantry staple for health-conscious consumers across India.
Making waves across the Indian heartlands
The brand name "Lahori" signifies a nod to Indian culinary heritage, according to Lahori Zeera's CEO, Saurabh Munjal. The company celebrates the flavors of Indian kitchens and street food culture, thanks to the use of Lahori Namak in its drinks. Now, the brand is well-renowned in states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. What was earlier a mere production of 96,000 bottles a day has escalated to a staggering 2 million bottles per day at their Rupnagar, Punjab, plant.
Hitting the Big Numbers
The company's financial growth has been nothing short of incredible. Archian Foods recorded a revenue of INR 80 crore in FY 2021, which skyrocketed to INR 250 crore in FY 2022, and hit INR 312 crore in the following year, as per reports. From a humble kitchen venture to molding a massive Rs.312 crore business, Lahori Zeera's journey is a testament to how traditional Indian flavors and health-conscious choices can come together to create a substantial impact.
Trending in Tinsel Town
With its unique blend of authentic spices and natural ingredients, Lahori Zeera has gained immense popularity among health-conscious consumers and looks to expand across the nation. Bollywood and other celebrities are rumored to have their own libations of Lahori Zeera!
Ones to Watch
- Nikhil Doda, Saurabh Munjal, and Saurabh Bhutna
- Lahori Zeera, Lahori Nimbu, Lahori Kacha Aam, and Lahori Shikanji
- Lahori Namak, chemical-free drinks, Punjab spice drinks, and Indian street food drinks
- natural soft drinks, organic beverages India, homegrown beverage brands
- made in India drinks
Insights
- Market Presence: Lahori Zeera sells over 50 lakh bottles daily and is available in more than 3 lakh retail outlets across India.
- Product Lineup: The flagship drink, Lahori Zeera, features a unique blend of cumin, black pepper, dry ginger, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and sugar, positioning it as India's sassiest electrolyte drink.
- Though bootstrapped initially, Lahori Zeera avoided early venture capital funding, relying on its manufacturing and distribution systems, focusing on building strong relationships with retailers and distributors.
- The brand has conquered a significant segment by targeting 'mass India,' which was earlier under-served but proven to be a profitable market segment.
- Pricing framework ensures profitability even at INR 10 per bottle, making Lahori Zeera affordable and appealing to a wide audience.
- By leveraging viral marketing strategies, Lahori Zeera has garnered success without relying on celebrity endorsements or extensive advertising.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
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An innovative brew of tradition and innovation brings success and sets the stage for homegrown dominance in the beverage industry, and Lahori Zeera symbolizes this brave new world. Overcoming market competition and tapping into unserved markets, it's no wonder that Lahori Zeera is leading the pack for fast-growing startups in India. Bollywood is not the only one captivated by their zing; health-conscious consumers, too, have been swift to fall under its spell. The future of Lahori Zeera looks saucy indeed, filled with potential and promise.
The future holds a tantalizing promise for Lahori Zeera, a homegrown brand that has captured the hearts of Bollywood and health-conscious consumers. This innovative beverage, born in a home kitchen, is touted as India's sassiest electrolyte drink, offering a unique blend of cumin, black pepper, dry ginger, lemon juice, and more. The brand's financial growth has been extraordinary, with annual revenues soaring from INR 80 crore in FY 2021 to INR 312 crore in the following year.
Lahori Zeera's founders, Nikhil Doda, Saurabh Munjal, and Saurabh Bhutna, have masterfully disrupted the beverage industry by targeting 'mass India' and leveraging viral marketing strategies. Their product lineup includes Lahori Nimbu, Lahori Kacha Aam, and Lahori Shikanji, all inspired by traditional Indian recipes and street-style flavor profiles. With a daily production of over 50 lakh bottles at their Rupnagar, Punjab, plant, the brand is well on its way to nationwide expansion.
Health-conscious consumers are not the only ones intrigued by Lahori Zeera's tantalizing flavors; celebrities, including those from Tinsel Town, are rumored to be fans as well. The brand's success story is a testament to the power of traditional Indian flavors, healthy cooking, and the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in India's bustling business landscape and vibrant lifestyle.
