New product launches: September 2016
What’s hitting the shelves? Protein Nesquik; vegetable brandy; and Baileys pumpkin spice
Coca-Cola’s ‘Superfruity vavavoom’
Coca-Coca South Pacific has today announced a new low-kilojoule flavored sparking spring water, Glaceau fruitdropwater.
Designed specifically for Australian consumers, the juice uses sparkling spring water with 4% fruit juice, a ‘hint of sugar’ and natural flavors.
The drink is aimed at health conscious women aged 30 and above.
Glaceau fruitdropwater is available in raspberry apple, pomegranate pear and cranberry lime. All three are available in 500ml single serves, while raspberry apple and pomegranate pear flavors will also be sold in 1.2L multi serves.
The drinks are available in IGA, on-the-go outlets, and from October it will also be available in 7-Eleven.
Nesquik gets protein boost
Nestlé’s Nesquik brand has launched Protein Plus: “for adults young at heart who love the taste of chocolate milk, but want more protein in their daily diets.”
Protein Plus comes in chocolate and vanilla flavors, with 23g of protein per 14 oz bottle.
Nestlé says it contains 28% less sugar than the leading protein-enhanced flavored milk.
The drink is aimed at the casual athlete: “Protein Plus is for those who are not necessarily gym rats, but still want serious protein when enjoying some of their favorite games: Frisbee, Wiffle ball and kickball.”
Protein Plus is available nationwide in the US in 14oz pre-mixed RTD bottles.
Icelandic craft beer celebrations
Iceland craft brewery Einstök Ölgerð has released the Icelandic Wee Heavy as part of its five year anniversary celebrations.
With its brewery located 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle in the fishing port of Akureyri, Einstök is now sold in 22 countries and is the #1 craft beer out of Iceland.
Einstök Icelandic Wee Heavy is an 8% ABV Scotch Ale brewed with handpicked angelica and birchsmoked Icelandic barley. It is available in 330ml bottles and on draft in various keg sizes.
The brew has launched in Iceland and is currently rolling out across Europe. It will become available in the US in early 2017.
Vegetable brandy
Boardroom Spirits, an artisanal distillery in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, has created ‘B’: a 90 proof, vegetable brandy.
The drink is distilled from 100% natural beets, resulting in ‘an earthy, bold bouquet and distinct flavor profile’.
A 375ml bottle is sold at $29.99.
Boardroom Spirits recommends that B can be served neat as an aperitif or digestif; used in sauces, syrups and marinades; or as an ingredient for bartenders. It adds that B will be the first of many spirits in this line.
Tropicana Probiotics
Tropicana has this week announced the launch of Tropicana Essentials Probiotics, a 100% juice with probiotics.
The drink is available in three flavors: strawberry banana, pineapple mango, and peach passion fruit.
Tropicana Probiotics is 100% juice with one billion live and active cultures per eight ounce serving, with more than the recommended daily value of Vitamin C and no added sugar, preservatives or artificial flavors.
“We are thrilled to be the first to bring probiotics more commonly seen in yogurts, supplements and kombuchas to the mainstream juice aisle,” said Björn Bernemann, vice president and general manager, Tropicana North America.
Limited distribution will start in the US in October this year. The drinks will be available nationwide early next year.
ProWater
ProWater, a high protein, low calorie water drink, is hitting shelves in the UK this month.
The brand says the drink is designed as a “refreshing alternative to the many “misleading” high protein bars and shakes, which often contain large quantities of less desirable ingredients, alongside the protein their marketing advertises.”
ProWater contains 20g of protein and 90kcal per 500ml bottle, and is free from sugar, carbs, fat and caffeine. It comes in three flavors: blueberry, red berries, and citrus mint.
The drinks are available in Superdrug and TK Maxx.
Hard hitting lemon from LIFT
Coca-Cola South Pacific is replacing its current LIFT sparkling lemon drink with a new formulation, LIFT Hard Hitting Lemon, in Australia.
Coca-Cola says that the new formulation is a ‘full bodied lemon drink with sharper taste, more bite and sugar content now at 8.4g/100ml’.
“The superior strength and bitterness of the drink is intended to appeal primarily to males aged 35 and above, with the overarching campaign encouraging consumers to 'ditch the soft stuff' and opt for LIFT Hard Hitting Lemon,” says Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola has partnered with the AFL (Australian Football League) and Triple M to connect with sports fans for the launch.
LIFT Hard Hitting Lemon comes in pack sizes ranging from 250ml to 2L.
Coconut water from the Philippines
Rebel Kitchen has launched its coconut water brand at Expo East this month.
Priced at $2.99 for a 8.4 ounce bottle (and $4.99 for a 16 ounce bottle), the beverage will initially be available in New York City before being rolled out nationwide in the coming months.
The water is sourced from small farms in the Philippines, which Rebel Kitchen says provides a more savory taste profile in comparison to waters made from Thai coconuts.
The beverage is free from refined sugar, additives or preservatives.
Matcha tea range
The T-tox blended Matcha tea range is now on offer for UK health clubs, cafes, spas, hotels and bars.
The teas are available for the on-trade market as 1kg catering packs (1,000 servings).
The three varieties are: Matcha Energise (Japanese matcha green tea powder, ginger powder, guarana powder, ginseng powder and gingko biloba powder); Matcha Recovery (Japanese matcha green tea powder, peppermint powder, nettle powder, milk rhistle powder, spirulina and lavender powder) and Matcha Health (Japanese matcha green tea powder and moringa powder).
“The benefits of Matcha are well documented, it is evidenced to boost metabolism, burn calories, naturally detoxify, calm the mind, relax the body, enhance mood, aid concentration, promote healthy skin tone and lower blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol,” says the brand.
Bubbly vit hit
VITHIT, a UK vitamin water brand, has launched Bubbly – ‘the ultimate guilt-free fizz’.
The sparkling juice drink comes in three flavors: Zestea (Lime & Ginger), Essential
(Strawberry, Elderflower and Mint) and Vital (Coconut, Mandho & Lime).
Each drink contains less than 35 calories and is sweetened with stevia. A can contains RDA 100% of Folic Acid, Biotin, Niacin, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B5 and Vitamin B12.
Coldpress moves into milk alternatives and expands on juice
New launches from Coldpress have been announced this month: low calorie chilled juices Fruity Greens and Berry Beats; and an almond drink.
The chilled juices join a portfolio with Mean Greens, Pumpkin Power and Juicy Roots. “However while these were essentially veggie juices with subtle fruit cameos to target veggie juice die-hards, Fruity Greens & Berry Beets are a new generation of ‘sessionable’ recipes with a superior fruit juice input,” says the brand.
Coldpress’ first foray into milk alternatives has resulted in the launch of its almond drink (Almond Banana Raw Cacao Almond Drink), which will be distributed in Waitrose as of next month. The drinks are packed in 500ml bottles and retail at £2.99.
Coldpress uses cold pressure to preserve its products without any heat, which it says keeps more of the taste and essential nutrients that would otherwise be lost in traditional pasteurisation.
Baileys Pumpkin Spice
Baileys has introduced a limited edition flavor to its portfolio in the UK: Baileys Pumpkin Spice.
The seasonal drink blends Baileys Original Irish Cream with the flavor of autumn spices like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
The drink was launched on September 1 and will be available while stocks last.
Marina Thompson, Baileys Europe brand manager, says that the drink may also be of interest to the coffee category. “There’s also a growing trend towards the coffee cocktail,” she said.
“The coffee category is currently in growth, with 70m cups of coffee being drunk in the UK every day. Licensees can tap into this by serving a Baileys Pumpkin Spiced Latte.”
