“Gen Z chooses drinks that match their vibe”: Aneet Padda to HELLO! India on the shift in beverage culture

These days, what you drink says a lot more than just what you’re in the mood for. For Gen Z, beverage culture has become a mix of vibe, memory and self-expression; one where old-school nostalgia meets a more personal, everyday kind of storytelling. It’s in this space that Aneet Padda shares her take on how a new generation is reshaping the way we connect with brands and moments. “Beverage culture is getting more intentional. Gen Z chooses drinks that match their vibe and lifestyle, blending refreshment with real moments that matter,” she says as the new brand ambassador for Pepsi India. 

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“I think of those iconic ads with Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, and the whole K3G gang, that era really stayed with all of us. And growing up, Pepsi was just always around at family get-togethers and celebrations, so it naturally became part of those memories,” she adds, in conversation with HELLO! India. Nostalgia continues to anchor beverage culture, offering a shared cultural memory that now evolves into something more personal and individual.

“For me, it's the perfect mix of spontaneity and authenticity. It feels effortless and embodies an attitude that is evergreen, like something we can truly own, nothing forced, just real connection,” says Padda, on her new collaboration with the carbonated beverage giant. She adds, “Joining the Pepsi legacy is an incredible honour and a personal milestone that I’ve always dreamt of."

On being asked how she'd describe this new chapter of hers, she says "(It's) evolving,” summing it up in a single word. It’s a fitting reflection of where beverage culture stands today—rooted in memory, shaped by identity and constantly adapting to the rhythm of a generation that values connection above all else.

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