The Mother of Invention
An interview with Bethan Higson, founder of Mother Root, profiled by Hattie Locke for LSA Magazine. Jump to the article
No. 23 founder Hattie first began working for LSA in 2013. Since then, she has lead both the Content and Brand teams, before leaving the UK in 2020 and working remotely in a freelance capacity as a copywriter, content consultant and art director.
Bethan Higson, founder of Mother Root. Photography by Euan Baker.
Bethan Higson is the founder of Mother Root, a non-alcoholic aperitif company that seeks to redefine the drinking experience.
Having spent 10 years working in the drinks industry, when she was pregnant, Bethan found herself searching for something that replaced the depth of flavour she missed from wine. "I really missed vibrant, flavour-packed drinks in their own right – I wasn't seeking an imitation." And so she got to work, experimenting at her kitchen table.
Necessity is the mother of invention, or so the saying goes, and it was here that Bethan came across the switchel: a refreshing, vinegar-based drink from the 17th century.
Necessity is the mother of invention, or so the saying goes, and it was here, at her kitchen table, that Bethan came across the switchel: a refreshing, vinegar-based drink from the 17th century.
"I discovered the power of vinegar to amplify flavour, and I also started to learn about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar."
Mother Root ginger switchels have a base of apple cider vinegar, a fermented ingredient renowned for its potential health properties with a history that dates all the way back to ancient Greece. "Apple cider vinegar is the secret ingredient that gives our drinks their depth and complexity," explains Bethan. But its appeal extends beyond flavour. "It's also said to stabilise your blood glucose and support digestion, so in many ways it's the perfect aperitif because it helps set you up for the meal that you'll have."
Our increasing consciousness of health and well-being mirrors the rising popularity of non-alcoholic options, reflecting a shift in attitudes towards drinking. "We're busier than ever and we are juggling a lot… I think more people are understanding that, to do it all, or to just really enjoy life, alcohol slows you down," Bethan muses. She believes that people are seeking the taste, experience and ritual of a good drink without the negative consequences of alcohol. "We're not about taking something out, so much as what we're putting in."
When asked about the qualities of a great drink, Bethan emphasises flavour. "Often you want something that's complex, that's got a lot of layers. Something that you won't drink too quickly – something you can sit and slowly unwind with."
And it's this driving belief in a flavour-first approach that has resonated with customers. Over two years of development went into crafting each ginger switchel, during which Bethan brought age-old wine aperitif-making methods – such as maceration and blending – into the alcohol free space for the first time.
Creating an inclusive and flavourful experience is at the heart of Mother Root, a sentiment that extends to Bethan's own approach to hosting at home. She notes that welcoming people in with a drink helps to set the mood, extending a sense of generosity and abundance: "We often have a couple of pre-batched drinks ready to go, so that nobody is waiting around empty handed for very long."
motherroot.com
Photography by Euan Baker
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Interview
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Key Outcomes
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Writing that adds depth to an otherwise commercial space.
An ecommerce site is, by nature, a transactional space. Long-form content changes that dynamic — giving the brand room to tell stories, share perspectives, and build a genuine connection with its audience beyond the product page.
LSA was looking to profile likeminded individuals working in complementary fields, who share the same values. Central to the LSA brand is the idea of hosting — welcoming people into your home, and forming connections through food and drink. By finding and drawing out the narrative thread that connects each subject to that wider brand story, the content feels relevant, authentic, and genuinely earned rather than commissioned.
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Every piece of content published under a brand's name shapes how its audience perceives it. For LSA, this meant ensuring tone, language, and perspective were consistent with existing articles, interviews, and features — maintaining the brand's distinct editorial identity and keeping the content feeling cohesive across the site.
The result is content that feels authentic rather than commissioned — fitting naturally within LSA's ecosystem, and reflecting the brand's values without stating them directly.
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Reliable, considered copywriting, delivered to meet your specifications.
Our copywriter arrived prepared — with considered questions, a clear editorial angle, and the ability to naturally guide the conversation toward the most valuable material.
This reduced the time burden on the subject, minimised back-and-forth in the editing process, and ensured the final piece required minimal revision. LSA received polished, publish-ready content without the drawn-out process that self-managed content often involves.
Crafted with distribution in mind, the piece was structured to stretch across the entire marketing mix — social captions, newsletter features, pull quotes, and campaign copy. A single well-written article, maximising its value long after it's published.
