The Rooted Cup: A Feel-Good Digital Experience

The Rooted Cup is a non-alcoholic beverage cafe offering probiotic sodas, adaptogen drinks, elixirs, teas, and botanical seltzers—designed to help people slow down, nourish themselves, and feel good. From the beginning, it was clear the site needed to do more than showcase drinks; it had to embody the mood of the place, reflect wellness and connection, and invite curiosity through immersive design that evokes a sense of place. The result is a website that feels grounded, comforting, nostalgic, and new.

Pastoral Texture

Pastoral paintings were incorporated into the darker sections of the site to add texture and a subtle, lived-in feeling—like stepping into a space that’s been thoughtfully tended, not just built. They support the idea that this is a space rooted in nature, in tradition, and in ritual, without overwhelming the content or pulling attention away from what matters.

Illustration

The brand’s hand-drawn logo set the tone for a series of whimsical, botanical illustrations that connected directly to the adaptogenic ingredients featured in The Rooted Cup’s drinks (like cordyceps and lion’s mane) and serve as a visual bridge between product and philosophy. They also add an approachable, playful element that softens the experience and hints at the brand’s personality.

Apothecary-Style

Apothecary-inspired stock photography—glass bottles, herbs, wooden trays, soft light—reflect a cultural resurgence of herbalism, healing tonics, and plant-based wellness. The style invites trust without clinical sterility, and wonder without pretense. It’s not about a product pitch—it’s about capturing the quiet magic of mixing botanicals and building rituals.

On-Trend Font

A bold, modern serif serves as the primary typeface. This style has seen a significant resurgence in recent years—particularly among next-gen wellness brands, bookshops, and independent cafes—and carries a tone of quiet confidence, timelessness, and warmth. It evokes the feel of a beautifully designed label or a favorite magazine: both relatable and refined. Designing for a brand that speaks to younger generations embracing non-alcoholic lifestyles calls for visual cues that signal intentional living, curiosity, and aesthetic discernment.

Organic Flow

To soften the site’s structure and guide users through content in a gentle, non-linear way, wavy section dividers were used throughout. These undulating breaks reinforce the natural, slow-living tone of the brand and prevent the page from feeling rigid or boxy. The effect is subtle, but meaningful—mimicking the ebb and flow of conversation, the ritual of brewing tea, the rhythm of a slow afternoon.