Mocktails with Marina18 Aug 2025

Interview with Vanessa Royle, Founder of Tilden

In today's episode of Mocktails with Marina, we sit down with Vanessa Royle, founder of Tilden, a brand that's changing the non-alcoholic cocktail game with one key philosophy: flavor comes first.

Vanessa shares her deeply personal journey of going alcohol-free during the early days of the pandemic and how that shift revealed a massive gap in the beverage space—especially for people who are pregnant, on medications like SSRIs, or simply craving something complex without the crash.

From launching Tilden as a class project during business school to crafting each bottle with culinary-grade ingredients like Lapsang Souchong, Sichuan pepper, and American oak, Vanessa breaks down what it takes to make a truly adult non-alc drink.

We talk about:

Why non-alcoholic doesn't mean non-decadent
Navigating the space as a sober consumer in a cocktail world
The behind-the-scenes process of flavor development, including sourcing, testing, and iteration
Tilden's mission to offer inclusivity without compromise
The rising consumer demand for adult NA drinks that don't rely on adaptogens
How Tilden is designing with bars, restaurants, and pregnant folks in mind

If you're tired of sugary mocktails, overwhelmed by buzzword-heavy bottles, or simply looking for a drink that delivers the entire cocktail experience minus the alcohol, this one's for you.

Tune in now and meet the team behind one of the most thoughtfully crafted, pregnancy-friendly, and flavor-forward NA brands on the market.

Get 20% off your first Tilden order at www.drinktilden.com
Follow Vanessa on Instagram: @drinktilden
Questions? Send us an email: hello@marinamars.com

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