What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches: November

smartwater alkaline and antioxidant​​

Coca-Cola has launched two new varieties for its smartwater brand: smartwater antioxidant and smartwater alkaline.

The enhanced premium waters have been launched on the US west coast and will be rolled out nationwide in March next year.  

The drinks are ionized for a 9+ pH (smartwater alkaline) or infused with antioxidant selenium (smartwater antioxidant). They were developed and commercialized in around six months, from prototyping to market.

“The great taste of smartwater is the reason it’s a fan favorite,”​ said Shannon Richmond, group director, smartwater. “As we continued to watch the fast-growing premium water category, it became clear that there was a need for antioxidant and alkaline versions of the brand that delivered the core taste proposition.”​ 

Nestlé’s Chinese herbal tea​​

Nestlé has launched Xingshan​,​ a new brand of ready-to-drink herbal drinks and soups made with traditional Chinese ingredients, in China.

The range, targeted at busy urban professionals, includes three herbal drinks and three herbal soups. The key ingredients are rose, pomegranate, tremella and mushroom.

Xingshan was developed over eight months through ​Nestlé China’s new incubation team and Nestlé brand Totole, and will be initially sold via e-commerce platforms.

“The products build on many years of research by Nestlé R&D in China,”​ says the company. “They showcase the benefits of Chinese medicine and cuisine by carefully selecting traditional ingredients and maximizing their nutritional value with modern technology.”​

Fruit-infused spring water​​

Australasian drinks company Frucor Suntory has launched a range of fruit-infused spring waters, called True Water.

Launched initially in two flavors – raspberry and lime – the drinks use real fruit extracts, Australian spring water, and are free from artificial sugar and sweeteners.

The drinks seek to respond to a consumer shift away from carbonated soft drinks, with packaging designed by Denomination to develop a ‘good for you’ image.

True Water is available in select Australian outlets.

ImmunityAid​​

Lifeaid Beverage Co. is introducing ImmunityAid, an orange-flavored immunity-boosting supplement drink, in the US retailers this month.

ImmunityAid comes in a 12 fl oz can with a blend of vitamins and nutrients that are intended to help boost the immune system, such as Echinacea, zinc, vitamins A, C and D, astragalus and valerian root, and turmeric and ginger root.

Lifeaid was founded in 2011 and produces a range of drinkable supplement blends such as FitAid, FocusAid, LifeAid, GolferAid and PartyAid.

Non-alcoholic cannabis wine​​

House of Saka, Inc. is launching Saka Wines, claiming to be the world's first luxury line of cannabis-infused, alcohol-removed wines from Napa Valley.

Saka's sparkling brut rosé and still rosé wines use a tasteless, odorless and water soluble blend of THC and CBD, derived from organic craft cannabis.

Saka Wines are Pinot Noir-based and sourced from vineyards across the valley’s coolest and most prolific sub-AVAs. The wines are traditionally fermented in stainless steel, after which the alcohol is removed, and then are infused with SAKA's proprietary, patent-pending formulated ratio of THC:CBD.

House of Saka is a company formed by and for women with luxury relaxation, beauty and wellness products.

“I am confident that cannabis-infused products are the future,"​ said Tracey Mason, Saka Wines CEO. "What the sector lacks are true luxury products targeted to a sophisticated female consumer. That's what we're singularly-focused on delivering.”​

Cynthia Salarizadeh, House of Saka and Saka Wines founder, added: "The concept for this brand began five years ago and it was all about the right team and timing to launch the best tasting cannabis infused wine in existence. ​

“With regulations and infrastructure mature enough to bring the brand to life, I knew it was the perfect time." ​

The wines are due to enter the market in mid 2019, aiming at 600 stores in California and Nevada before expanding nationwide and globally.

In addition, a ‘highly-limited ultra-exclusive’ alcohol-removed cannabis and CBD infused sparkling wine sourced from the Champagne region of France will be available for pre-orders by spring of 2019.

Sweetness index whisky​​

UK independent family-owned distiller, William Grant & Sons, has launched Ailsa Bay in Australia: a single malt which is the first to index ‘sweetness’ due to a data-led distillation process.

The process, developed by malt master Brian Kinsman, sees Alisa Bay scientifically distilled at 022 phenol parts per million and 019 ‘sweet’ parts per million.

“Ailsa Bay is the only whisky in the world to be created based on an industry-first ‘sweetness’ index which enables the scientific measurement of sweetness,” ​says the company. “This complements a precise calculation of ‘peatiness’ to create the perfect balance between smokiness and sweetness – all driven by advanced technology.”​

Ailsa Bay is available in Australia through Vintage Cellars, select First Choice stores and Liquorland select stores in December at a recommended retail price of $AUD99 per 700ml bottle.

Famous Grouse cask series​​

Scottish whisky brand Famous Grouse has launched its new Cask Series, a range of blended whiskies inspired by the impact that oak casks have on the flavor and development of whisky, in the US.

The Cask Series is designed to showcase a variety of flavors and appeal to a wide range of consumers. The first two expressions available in the US are Bourbon Cask and Ruby Cask.

“The predominance of American oak, including first fill bourbon casks, lends delicious caramel and vanilla notes to the Bourbon Cask blend,”​ says the company. “For the Ruby Cask, the Famous Grouse blend has been rested in specially selected casks seasoned with Port to add a layer of rich fruitcake sweetness.” ​

Like its parent blend, the whiskies within The Famous Grouse Cask Series can be enjoyed neat, with a dash of water or in classic cocktails to bring the flavors to life.

The Famous Grouse Bourbon Cask and Ruby Cask are now available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $34.99.

CBD and adaptogen-infused sparkling waters​​

US consumer lifestyle brand Recess has launched three CBD and adaptogen-infused sparkling waters: blackberry chai, peach ginger and pomegranate hibiscus.

“We all need some time for ourselves, and the brand is providing a much-needed ‘Recess’ to take a break, have a drink and reset - replacing that 2 o'clock coffee,”​ says the brand.

Each can is infused with 10mg of Colorado-sourced full spectrum hemp.

In addition to CBD, Recess is infused with the adaptogens: schisandra (to boost immunity and promotes balance); ginseng (focus and memory) and L-theanine (stress reduction with the help of green tea).

Recess is priced at $39.99 for an eight-can pack of one flavor, and $30 for a six-can variety pack.

Coca-Cola Batch Blends​​

Coca-Cola Australia has launched a coffee-cola drink, Batch Blends, a drink designed for adult tastes. 

The drink contains 35mg of caffeine per 250ml, compared to 24mg in Coca-Cola Classic.

Batch Blends come in two flavors: caramel and coffee; and coffee and chocolate. Both are sugar free, using aspartame and acesulfame-K instead. 

The drinks​​ are available for a limited time in a selection of venues in Australia: including bars, hotels, cafes and restaurants.