Through modern science, Posca Hydrate reimagines an ancient beverage with a unique blend of salts and red wine vinegar.
History does repeat itself. Who’d have thought that a 2,000-year-old drink would be brought to life again for the modern-day audience? And who’d have thought a well-known Aussie media personality would reimagine this drink, eventually leading to a partnership with SPC Global for its newly launched premium beverage division? Let’s rewind.
It all started in the 2nd century BC, when Roman warriors, gladiators, stoics and emperors hydrated themselves with a special ancient formula: salt, water and red wine vinegar. The popularity of posca relied on its affordability and durability. The use of vinegar acted as a disinfecting agent to make water safer to drink. During times when fresh water was difficult to obtain, people could hydrate themselves with posca as the vinegar and salt helped purify water sources.
Thousands of years later, the recipe was lost, its name no longer relevant or heard of by recent generations. With the industry buzzing with new innovations and marketing tactics, the revival of posca was waiting to emerge at the right time and opportunity. During the pandemic, while the world was in lockdown, curious Australian comedian and radio presenter Merrick Watts took a deep dive into the internet. Being a qualified wine expert and judge, he explored the historical use of wine, opening up a new world of posca.
“I was absolutely stunned by the fact that something that was so ubiquitous in the ancient world was new to me,” he said.
With more than 30 years of experience as a media personality, he described himself as a polymath for his adventurous temperament and passion for multiple subjects – one of which is beverages. But curiosity is only the beginning. Enthralled by the history of posca, Watts decided to make a batch at home. Once the lockdown eased, he brought his homemade posca to professional formulators, eventually creating Posca Hydrate with co-founder Ed Stening – the reimagined product of the ancient hydration drink.
The modern posca
Watts explained that the hydration drink was consumed by soldiers during the march from Europe through to the Mediterranean. As many had lost their lives due to poor water sources and disease, posca meant survival. However, it did not always have to be about survival. While the Romans sometimes spiced up the drink with herbs and honey, it was generally harsh to drink.
The company emphasised that Posca Hydrate is a hydration drink, not an energy drink – it states that it is the opposite. While energy drinks allow people to have a burst of energy through sugar and stimulants, they often cause a crash. Posca Hydrate, on the other hand, is sugar and stimulant-free, aiming to sustain drinkers with steady energy and hydration. Additionally, it has the science to back its claim.
“The modern version contains four key electrolytes,” Watts said.
The science behind the beverage centres on electrolyte balance. Every can carries sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium in ratios aligning with sports nutrition research on optimal rehydration. These minerals replace sweat losses, support nerve function and can prevent muscle cramps.
“We use these complex electrolytes to give Posca Hydrate a more balanced version of the ancient forms rather than just salt,” he said.
Being an avid runner and winner on SAS: Australia, an Australian military-styled reality show, Watts highlighted how athletes – typically distance runners – need more than just water to replenish themselves. While many people associate hydration with water intake alone, the body requires salts to retain and properly use that water.
When people sweat, they lose sodium and other electrolytes. Drinking water without replenishing salts can lead to what is known as gastric dumping, where the body fails to absorb the water effectively. Posca Hydrate replaces these lost minerals through the combination of electrolytes, creating a balanced hydration effect without the need for sugar or carbohydrates.
The inclusion of vinegar is also another key element. Posca leans on polyphenol-rich red wine vinegar. Red wine vinegar supplies acetic acid and resveratrol, which aid blood-sugar control, appetite regulation and antioxidant defence. It also adds natural acidity and flavour – a feature increasingly sought after in modern functional beverages.
A hypertonic drink
For Watts, his focus has always been beyond hydration or a tasteful drink. It is about beneficial hydration.
“It’s about how the water or liquids are utilised in the body,” he said. “Our product is unique as it is a sugar-free hypertonic drink.”
The term hypertonic means it contains a slightly higher concentration of solutes than the body’s blood plasma. This property allows faster and more efficient rehydration. Uniquely, Posca Hydrate achieves this hypertonicity without added sugars or high-calorie ingredients, containing 12 calories per can. Laboratory testing in the US confirmed the product’s electrolyte density, marking it as a rare sugar-free hypertonic drink on the market.
Australian manufacturing
Every can of Posca Hydrate is manufactured locally in Melbourne, using Australian ingredients from local manufacturers and aluminium cans supplied by Visy. Sourcing vinegar was a time-consuming process, according to Watts.
“We’ve been through a careful selection with the vinegar, and that continues due to our diligence around it,” he said.
The company worked with specialist vinegar manufacturer Australian Vinegar, based in Stanthorpe, Queensland. With the careful blending of purified water, Australian red wine vinegar, and the electrolyte mix, the formulation is monitored for pH stability and mineral balance before canning. Once sealed, each can undergoes testing for consistency, ensuring that the flavour, carbonation, and electrolyte concentration meet the brand’s standards.
The use of vinegar and salt as primary ingredients raised early concerns about can corrosion. However, after testing, the drink achieved a perfect rating for internal stability. Despite containing naturally acidic elements, the product demonstrated resistance to can degradation, confirming its suitability for long-term storage and transport.
The beverage also has a 24-month shelf life. The natural acidity of vinegar acts as a preservative without the need for artificial stabilisers or additives. Posca Hydrate currently holds certification for 18 months of shelf life and is undergoing final verification for 24 months. Its ability to remain stable at ambient temperatures allows it to be stored and shipped globally without refrigeration.
Partnering with SPC Global
To scale production and distribution, Posca Hydrate formed a partnership with well-known Australian brand SPC Global, aligning with SPC’s focus on “better-for-you” products. Through this partnership, Posca Hydrate becomes the inaugural brand partner for The Original Beverage Co., a newly launched premium beverage division.
“The trend that we’re seeing from overseas is that people are seeking more beverages that offer better-for-you options,” said Watts. “From things like gut health and hydration, consumers are looking for more positive benefits with each purchase.”
The partnership provides access to a network of retail, convenience, and hospitality channels, helping Posca reach a broader audience. Watts noted that early traction has been encouraging, with the drink appearing in gyms, hotels, and resorts, particularly as a poolside refreshment or post-workout recovery option. Interestingly, some venues have also adopted it as a mixer for alcoholic beverages, which he remarked is helping the drink become less one-dimensional.
The collaboration has also enabled Posca Hydrate to focus on consistent quality and expand into export-ready production, leveraging SPC’s expertise in large-scale beverage logistics.
A passion for passion
As Watts said, no amount of business strategy or numbers can run a business. For him, any product within the food and beverage sector can thrive only if true passion sits at the centre. Taking inspiration from like-minded brewers, winemakers, and others, what started as curiosity and passion for history and health has developed into a sizeable business with plans for international export.
In the short term, Posca Hydrate’s priority is to introduce the drink to a wider Australian audience as summer approaches. Long-term plans include expansion into international markets. With its unique heritage story and functional health profile, Watts believes that the brand has the potential to capture attention overseas as an Australian-made reinvention of a Roman classic.
“Posca Hydrate is an ancient Roman drink reborn in Australia,” said Watts. “To see it in other places around the world would be a dream come true.”