Vitaminwater meets sports drinks
Coca-Cola has launched vitaminwater active – a ‘nutrient-enhanced performance drink to refresh, refuel and rehydrate fitness enthusiasts – in the US.
vitaminwater active features ‘sports drink-level hydration and electrolytes’ from coconut water and sea salt. It is sweetened with cane sugar and has antioxidant Vitamins C and E and 100% Vitamins B5, B6 and B12. A 15.2 ounce bottle contains 100 calories.
The drink comes in three flavors: ‘move it’ (strawberry black cherry), ‘werk it’ (orange mango) and ‘pump it’ (lemon lime).
Coca-Cola says the brand will complement its existing sports drink portfolio in North America, which includes Powerade and Honest Sport.
vitaminwater active is currently available at 7-Eleven and Target stores in California and Nevada, and HEB grocery outlets in Texas, before launching nationwide in 2018.
Himalayan water
Talking Rain Beverage Company has launched a new Sparkling Ice flavors, Ginger Lime, in the US. It is also introducing Himalayan Natural Mineral Water in a partnership with Tata Global Beverages, using its DSD network to distribute the brand in the US.
Both beverages will begin rolling out in early 2018.
Himalayan Natural Mineral Water is a premium source water, from a pure and pristine underground moving stream aquifer, which is about 400 feet below the surface of the Himalayan mountain range. Layers of rock, sand and silt act as natural filters over a 20-year journey and allow the water to accumulate essential minerals from which it acquires its composition and taste.
MILO energy in Nigeria
Nestlé Nigeria has launched MILO energy food drink in a ready to drink format, designed to meet the nutrition needs of active children in convenient packaging.
“Milo is made from natural products like cocoa, malt, and milk and contains no preservatives. It provides essential nutrients such as proteins as well as Nestlé’s blend of vitamins, ACTIV-GO (vitamins B3, B2, B6, B12, vitamin C, and vitamin D) and minerals including calcium and iron,” says Nestlé. “A pack of 180 ml MILO RTD gives children nutritious energy that keeps them performing at their best throughout the day.”
Unveiling the new product, John Miller, Nestlé’s Senior Vice President for Asia, Oceania, and sub-Saharan Africa (AOA), said: “Investing in Nigeria’s economy forms part of our global business strategy to drive innovation with nutrition based solutions that enable healthier and happier lives.”
Keri Juice Blenders
Coca-Cola has launched Keri Juice Blenders in Australia.
The drinks are crafted specifically for an adult palate, blending a variety of fruits and vegetables, and are sold in premium single serve options.
Kate Solomon, Brand Activation Manager, Keri Juice Blenders, said: “Launching Keri Juice Blenders in Australia is a major move for the business and offers an exciting new option for health-conscious consumers to enjoy a vibrant and great-tasting product.”
The Keri Juice Blenders product range is available in 300ml bottles from various cafés, restaurants and food service outlets. The range contains five flavours; all with juice content greater than 99.9%: orange; cloudy apple; carrot, apple, orange, lemon and ginger; apple, beetroot, blackcurrant, pomegranate and hibiscus; and apple, pear, cucumber, kale and gardena extract.
Apple; orange; and apple and blackcurrant juices are also available in 250ml bottles.
Christmas Sloe Spritz
Dorset based Wild Drinks has launched a premium alcoholic Sloe Spritz for Christmas celebrations.
Managing director Jonathan Wallington said: “Mixing Sloe, with London Dry Gin and Perry from Herefordshire gives a deliciously refreshing and mouth filling experience.”
This new sloe flavour joins the Spritz drinks range that includes elderflower, plum and ginger wine spritz. Each drink combines fruit, perry and gin to create a premium selection of single serve alcoholic drinks, and are made from natural ingredients sourced in the UK.
A 275ml bottle is 5.4% ABV and contains 1.5 units of alcohol; and is gluten free and vegan.
RTD cold brew teas
Chicago-based premium tea brand, Argo Tea, has partnered with Whole Foods Market to launch the ‘world’s first’ line of RTD cold brew single estate bottled teas in the retailer’s stores nationwide.
Argo says the cold-brewing process allows it to extract high concentrations of the right tea cells – flavonoids and antioxidants – giving teas a ‘exquisite, smooth flavor’.
The flavors are: First Flush Darjeeling (organic and biodynamic Darjeeling black tea from the Ambootia Tea Garden in India); First Flush Gyokuro (organic gyokuro green tea from the Yamaguchi Tea Estate in Japan); Armenian Mint (organic peppermint tea harvested from Central Europe and the Mediterranean Basis).
Pear cider
US cider maker Angry Orchard has released Angry Orchard Pear, a fruit cider made with apples and pears.
“We chose to make a cider with pears because like apples, they have a long history in Europe as a traditional fruit used to make alcoholic beverages,” says the brand.
“Perry, as an example, is a pear-based drink that has been a longtime favorite in the U.K. and other parts of Europe. While Angry Orchard Pear is not a perry because it’s made with both apples and pears, it brings the nostalgic flavors of the harvest to life with a balanced yet complex taste.”
Angry Orchard Pear blends domestic pears such as Bartlett, D’Anjou and Bosc, and culinary apples such as Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith.
Angry Orchard says it is seeing more drinkers embracing cider as they look for an alternative to beer and wine.
“While fruit ciders are a small segment of the market, the trend is growing rapidly with drinker’s palates craving more complex flavors infused with a variety of fruits, like in Angry Orchard Pear.”
Angry Orchard Pear (5.0% ABV) is available nationwide in 6-packs for a suggested retail price of $7.99-9.99. Like all Angry Orchard hard ciders, Pear is gluten-free.
Seasonal specials
Diageo brand Captain Morgan is brining back Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast to US shelves for a limited period.
Jack-O’Blast is a ‘fall-inspired shot that blends Caribbean rum with favorite seasonal flavors – including fresh pumpkin, cinnamon and other autumnal spices.’ The pumpkin spiced rum (60 proof, 30% ABV) has a suggested retail price of $15.99 for a 750 ml bottle.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola has unveiled Halloween packaging for Fanta: with illustrator Noma Bar creating designs based on popular monsters from Universal Studios.
Lipton wellness range
Lipton has launched a new wellness range, which is made with botanicals and blended with essential oils.
The five varieties in the new range are stress less (featuring cinnamon, chamomile and lavender); detox (featuring dandelion, nettle and grapefruit); soothe your tummy (ginger, peppermint and fennel); bedtime bliss (chamomile, mint and orange peel); and daily support (turmeric, echinacea and ginger).
George Hamilton, Tea Director at Unilever, said: “We know we’re all looking for ways to take care of ourselves. Essential oils, supplements and herbs are often part of wellness routines, and now we’ve found a way to incorporate them that’s as simple as brewing a tea bag.”
The new Lipton Wellness range is available across the US with a suggested retail price of $3.99.
Lipton goes organic with black tea launch
Lipton has launched a USDA Organic and Rain Forest alliance certified black tea range made from leaves picked from the Kenyan Highlands.
“We’re thrilled to bring an organic option to the market at an affordable price,” tea director at Unilever, George Hamilton, said.
The organic black tea is available in major US retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $4 per 72-count box of individually wrapped tea bags.
Heineken H41
Heineken has launched H41 - a lager brewed using a rare ‘mother’ yeast from Patagonia - in the US.
The name ‘H41’ comes from the latitude co-ordinate of the Patagonian beech forest where the yeast was discovered, while the H stands for Heineken.
The lager is the first of a new beer series from Heineken, called ‘Wild Lager’, which uses yeast found in nature.
The US launch follows H41’s release in the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, the UK and Dubai (and in France where it is called H71 due to use of a slightly different recipe in this market).
Raw Apple Cider Sipping Vinegars
Vermont Village is introducing its organic Raw Apple Cider Sipping Vinegars in Walmart retailers across the US this month.
The vinegars have been developed to give consumers a more versatile way to get a daily dose of apple cider vinegar, says the company. In addition to being enjoyed on-the-go, the Raw Apple Cider Sipping Vinegars can be mixed into a bottle of water at the gym, used as a salad dressing, concocted into a smoothie at home, added to hot or iced teas, or sipped on straight.
“Americans are always looking for the next best way to get in their nutrients and our goal in developing our Raw Apple Cider Sipping Vinegars was to showcase the same convenience of the Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Shots, but in a bigger, 8 oz. bottle,” said Andrew Lawrence, VP of Marketing & Sales of Vermont Village.
“Our new Raw Apple Cider Sipping Vinegars are ideal for those seeking to enjoy the health benefits of raw apple cider vinegar throughout the day in a variety of ways. It’s perfect for sipping straight from the bottle and a great addition to everyday drinks such as club soda, shakes, smoothies and other beverages.”
Raw Apple Cider Sipping Vinegars are sold in individual 8 oz. bottles, which contain eight servings, for $4.99.
Half bottle wines
UK supermarket Waitrose has introduced half bottle versions in its Blueprint Wines line: appealing to consumers who are looking for wine to go with a mid-week meal.
The Blueprint line - which includes 38 wines in full size 75cl bottles and the new six wines in half bottles - has been redesigned with blue and white labels to stand out on the shelves.
Prices range form £5.99 to £8.99 for full size bottles and £3.49 to £4.99 for the half bottles.
Lower calorie wines
UK retailer M&S has launched a new range of lower calorie wines, with contain 63 calories per 125ml glass - around 30% less than other wines.
The Sumika range is made in Stellenbosch, South Africa, in conjunction with Journey's End winery. The name 'Sumika' means 'light' in Japanese.
M&S winemaker Sue Daniels said: “Using clever blending and space age spinning cone technology we’ve together created this range which is lower in alcohol and calories by over 30% yet still – most importantly – retains its character and flavour.”
“As we’ve seen in our food halls, customers are increasingly aware of their calories and are looking for options which fit into with their lifestyles, yet don’t compromise on the quality or flavour.
"It’s taken us a while to perfect this balance, and we’re excited to see what customers think.”
The Sumika wines are available in a Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Rose - coming in at 50, 52 and 52 calories per 100ml respectively - and are all priced at £7.50.