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: [e-mail]