What’s new in beverage at the Fancy Food Show?
According to SFA, six out of the top 10 specialty categories are from the refrigerated or frozen sections, and all 10 accounted for about half of 2018’s total speciality food and beverage sales. Drinks expected to grow most in the space are juices and functional beverages.
Non-RTD coffee and hot cocoa have done well in retail sales, while RTD tea and coffee, waters and creamers have had the highest dollar growth and plant-based milks and non-RTD tea has the highest market share. We take a look at some of the new drinks that were on display at the Fancy Food show.
Alcohol-free standby Martinelli’s expanded its sparkling cider and apple juice offerings at Fancy Food with a new Sparkling Blush flavor. A play on the popular rose trend, the Blush contains 100% apple juice and raspberry concentrate.
Gun Ruder, president of S. Martinelli & Company, said “With increased interest in ‘mindful drinking,’ more people are looking for non-alcoholic options to celebrate occasions like graduations, baby showers, weddings and birthdays. Martinelli’s wants to help people celebrate these special moments, like it has for the last 150 years.”
Fizzy Fox Sparkling Shrub combines the gut health benefits of apple cider vinegar with real fruits and vegetables for a line of lightly carbonated soft drinks. Pineapple Mint, Carrot Ginger Turmeric and Berry Cinnamon were on display at Fancy Food’s ‘New Brands on the Shelf’ pavilion.
Each 8oz bottle contains 1oz of ACV, and the brand says it is gluten-free, vegan, kosher certified and has between 5g-8g of sugar per bottle. It’s currently available at retailers in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Holy Kombucha showcased its seasonal flavors at Fancy Food, including Verano Rose and Passion Pear-ade. Since 2011, the brand has been expanding its total portfolio, with a line of eight flagship flavors, five premium flavors, and three ‘Yerbucha’ flavors made with yerba mate.
“Holy Kombucha is cultivated from a ‘higher brew’ infused with specialty organic teas blended specifically for our ‘higher purpose’ of health and transformation,” the company said.
“The culture allows the tea to undergo a fermentation process to cultivate all the essential and health promoting nutrients that nourishes and refreshes your body from the inside out.”
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co. introduced its ‘next generation’ of cold-pressed juices at Fancy Food, with the flavors Purify, Relax, Resilient and Aura, made with botanicals, spices and superfoods. Citrus, ginger, dandelion, chamomile, passion flower, blood orange, turmeric, elderberry and ashwagandha are all included in the new flavors.
This collection adds to Natalie’s existing portfolio of clean label juices like grapefruit, orange, tangerine, carrot ginger and peach green tea, all sourced primarily from Florida and around the US using eco-friendly practices.
O.Vine, the infused water wine alternative from Israel, released Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon-essence water varietals at Fancy Food, adding on to their existing Red and White. The combination of spring water and wine grape skin leverages the healthy antioxidant benefits of wine without the alcohol.
Bill Sipper, managing partner at Cascadia Managing Brands, said “We see O.Vine essence water as a big winner in the United States and these two new varietals will just make the brand stronger. It aligns with what Millennials are seeking — products that are organic, made by companies that respect the environment. Millennials also are drinking less alcohol. This combination makes O.Vine an all-around winner.”
Swoon is a new alternative sugar syrup made from monk fruit with no added sugars or artificial ingredients. Water, gum acacia, xanthan gum, lactic acid and monk fruit extract make up the ingredients list; and it has zero calories, carbs, sodium, sugar and fat.
At Fancy Food, the company demonstrated Swoon in lemonade, but says it’s also ideal for use in iced and hot coffee, iced and hot tea, juices, soft drinks and cocktails. Swoon is currently taking preorders for delivery in July, available in 375ml and 1 liter sizes.
Sparkling tree water brand Asarasi debuted a new Mango flavor this spring, adding to its existing Natural, Lemon, Lime and Cherry Lime options. The “pure water harvested from trees” is sourced from maple trees with zero calories and no added sugar.
The company reports the only ingredients are sparkling 100% organic maple tree water, and either lemon, lime, mango or cherry organic extracts.
“Our drinkable water supplies are dwindling. We here at Asarasi are bringing a new source of water that helps add to our water supply. Our commitment to sustainability, renewability, and community will help us make a positive impact on the world’s water resources for generations to come,” Asarasi said.
