The owners of Dragon Soop have awarded themselves a dividend of £4.3 million after the high-caffeine alcohol brand reported an increase in profit. Corinthian Brands, based in Knaresborough and owned by Paul Burton and John Hibberd, posted a profit of just under £5 million for 2025, representing a 2.3 per cent rise compared to the previous year.
Financial Performance
The company, which produces a range of fruit-flavoured drinks under the Dragon Soop brand, achieved a turnover of £23.2 million for the year, a slight decline of 1.5 per cent from 2024. In a statement, the firm explained that the drop in revenue was due to a strategic review of its product portfolio, which led to the discontinuation of underperforming lines. Despite the lower turnover, the gross profit margin improved, reflecting better cost management and product focus.
Corinthian Brands noted: "A review of the product portfolio led to the discontinuation of underperforming lines during the prior year. As a result, turnover has fallen compared with 2024, although the gross profit margin has improved." The company also outlined plans to broaden its profit base and expand its product range in 2026, indicating a strategy for future growth.
Controversy Surrounding Dragon Soop
Dragon Soop has faced significant scrutiny over its high alcohol and caffeine content. A 500ml can, which retails at £3.49, contains roughly the same amount of alcohol as two pints of ale and as much caffeine as two cups of coffee. This combination has raised health and safety concerns, particularly among young consumers.
The drink has gained popularity among teenagers and students in Scotland and northern England, leading to reports linking it to rising youth violence. According to The Independent, police in Newcastle conducted an intelligence-gathering operation that "discovered that youths were obtaining their alcohol in the form of 'Dragon Soop' from various off-licences within the city."
Police reported that "their behaviour would deteriorate during the evening as they became more intoxicated and more violent incidents were reported by members of the public." Sergeant Emma Dixon highlighted "several arrests of young people for serious assaults on members of the public" in the city centre, noting that "all were drunk at the time and could not remember what they had done until they were shown the CCTV."
Product Availability
Dragon Soop is available in a variety of flavours, including cherry, raspberry, and pineapple. It is commonly sold in independent off-licences and can also be purchased online through retailers such as Tesco.
