WDC-Drink „The Companion“ The People’s Schobbe

Frankfurt has always been a city of encounters: in apple wine taverns, bars, kiosks, and restaurants, people from all walks of life come together. The WDC drink The Companion translates this principle into a contemporary beverage for the World Design Capital 2026.

Created by the IMA Clique (Shuka Bar), the drink celebrates its premiere at the Night of the Museums and is part of the Drinks for Democracy series. With a playful concept and questions about democracy, the drink invites guests to strike up conversations with strangers.

Concept

The Companion drink, created by the IMA Clique, translates the principle of participation and design into a contemporary drink for the World Design Capital year 2026 and connects the region.

Premiere

The Companion is part of the Drinks for Democracy series and will premiere at the Night of Museums on April 25, 2026, at the WDC Hub in the Museum of Applied Arts.

Ingredients

Inspired by the Frankfurt apple motif, this drink combines Calvados, apple cordial, lime, and umami bubbles (or a sparkling wine alternative) to create a light, modern "People's Schobbe" (a local term for a light, refreshing drink).

Get involved

Bars, restaurants, and cafés in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region are warmly invited to offer this drink, recreate the recipe, and thus become part of World Design Capital Frankfurt Rhine-Main 2026. Share your own variations using #WDCDrinksForDemocracy. You can also order the democracy-themed bottle caps free of charge.

Drinks for Democracy

A playful gamification approach turns the drink into a connecting moment: each cup features one of the letters W, D, or C. Guests seek out the missing letters, engage in conversation, and—once the trio is complete—receive a shared shot. It is a simple yet effective impulse for encounter and community. This format is complemented by "Democracy Coasters": printed beer mats featuring thought-provoking questions about democracy to spark dialogue.

The inclusion of diverse perspectives and this playful idea adds a layer of depth to the WDC drink—facilitating a dialogue on democratic values and design as a unifying element. In this way, the WDC drink concept translates the core themes of the WDC year—democracy, participation, and coming together—into a tangible, shared experience.