What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Prebiotic soda
Health-Ade, the US brand best known for its flagship kombucha, has launched a modernized version of its prebiotic soda line, Health-Ade Pop (formerly Health-Ade Booch Pop).
The better-for-you soda (pictured above) features fresh packaging and new flavors & formulations resulting in six drinks: Pomegranate Berry, Lemon Lime, Ginger Fizz, Strawberry Vanilla, Apple Snap, and Juicy Grape.
Health-Ade notes a ‘groundswell of interest in gut health and its connection to overall health’. As a result of Covid-19, globally 57% of consumers report being more concerned about their immunity (ADM 2020); while 77% of consumers intend to make more attempts to stay healthy in the future (2021 WGSN Trend Curve Gut Health Report).
The company is responding with Health-Ade Pop as a low sugar, all-natural prebiotic formulation; flavored with organic ingredients and cold pressed juice and sweetened with natural ingredients (organic cane sugar and monk fruit).
"We have seen a dramatic increase in consumer interest in gut health over the past year as people begin to realize just how important gut health is to immunity and overall health," said CEO and Co-Founder, Daina Trout, who also holds master's degrees in Nutritional Biochemistry and Public Health. "We wanted to offer our customers something that doesn't compromise on taste and has legitimate gut health benefits, and Pop does just that."
Like all Health-Ade products, Pop is certified organic, vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO.
Acti-Vit
Acti-Vit, a new high-vitamin, functional beverage, has launched in the UK.
Coming from the makers of Actiph Water, the sparkling water comes in three flavors: tropical boost; blackcurrant, apple and raspberry; and lemon, lime and orange. Each can contains 100% RDA of Vitamins B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D and Zinc, along with 15% of the RDA of magnesium – claiming to be one of the highest vitamin concentrations on the market.
The vitamins and minerals have been chosen to ‘support energy release, aid mental performance and reduce tiredness’ in a sugar-free option.
Acti-Vit founder Jamie Douglas-Hamilton said: “With many enriched drinks containing as little as 15% of the recommended daily allowance of key vitamins, we decided to simplify consumer’s lives by ensuring every can of Acti-Vit contains 100% RDA of 7 key vitamins and minerals – it’s a true multivitamin, in a can! We’ve also listened to frustrations regarding the differing benefits between each flavour of competitor vitamin drinks – “What if I want flavour X but the benefits that come with flavour Y?” As a result, we’ve standardised the Acti-Vit range so consumers get the same high vitamin content and benefits in every flavour.
Acti-Vit is available online via the brand’s online shop and Amazon; and will launch on Ocado in June. A retail launch is set to follow in late summer.
Octavius Tea
Indian tea brand Octavius Tea has launched a new Monsoon collection for the season.
“One of the most anticipated seasons in India is the monsoon season, which offers a welcome respite from the oppressive heat of summer,” says the brand.
“Chai and the monsoon are synonymous to us, and tea in the rain is a tradition we follow. During this season, chai is used for many purposes, and Octavius Tea has the perfect choice of flavours suitable for this beautiful windy weather.”
Octavius’ teas include Indian masala chai black tea (loose leaf); cardamom chai ready tea premix; cinnamon anise green tea (loose leaf); tulsi ginger green tea (loose leaf) and honey lemon green tea bags.
Alcohol-free craft beer
US company Athletic Brewing Co. has launched two alcohol-free craft beers in the UK: with Run Wild IPA and Upside Dawn Golden Ale.
"Run Wild IPA is the ultimate session craft beer, carefully brewed with organic Vienna malt and a blend of five Northwest hops, resulting in an approachable bitterness and classic piney, citrusy aroma with a subtle, yet complex malt profile," explains the brand.
"Upside Dawn Golden Ale is a light-bodied, refreshing and balanced golden ale brewed with premium organic Vienna malt paired with a combination of English and American hops that add earthy, spicy and citrusy character."
Each can contains less than 70 calories, is under 0.5% ABV; as well as being vegan and non-GMO.
Created with health-conscious drinkers in mind, Athletic Brewing Co. was founded in 2017 in Stratford, CT, by Bill Shufelt, an ex-finance professional and ultra-marathon runner, and craft brewer John Walker.
Bag-in-box RTD cocktails
Florida-based BarBox has added two new classics to their RTD cocktail range: margarita and gin lemonade.
“With the RTD market growing rapidly, these two new flavors, like the entire line of BarBox cocktails, stand out with their 40 proof and high-quality ingredients,” says the brand. “The citrus-packed Margarita is refreshing and balanced, with quintessential Margarita qualities that make it approachable and delicious. The Gin Lemonade brings sweet and sour notes together with lemon and simple syrup, coupled with a soft herbal character.”
The brand champions the ease, portability and sustainability credentials of its bag-in-box packaging.
BarBox’s full classic cocktail lineup includes Cosmopolitan, Gin Lemonade, Margarita, Negroni, and Vodka Sour. Each BarBox is $24.99 SRP with 14 four-ounce cocktails per box.
Crook & Marker
Crook & Marker, a USDA organic alcohol beverage brand, has added blackberry lime mojito to its spiked beverage lineup.
The 5% ABV drink has 100 calories, 0 sugar and 1g carb; and is described as a ‘perfect alternative to the Cuban-inspired mojito, made with real mint and all-natural fruit flavors and without all the sugar and calories’.
The drink has a SRP of $16.99 for an 8-pack.
Finnish gin RTD
Hartwall Original Long Drink – a 5.5% ABV RTD Finnish drink made with artisan gin and grapefruit – has launched in the US.
The drink was created during the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games to help bartenders serve crowds with ease. It started exporting to Europe in 2015 and now counts Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong among its markets.
The brand was introduced to select US markets (Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Washington DC) in a soft launch in September, and is now increasing distribution in other states (California, Georgia, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts) this month, benefiting from the popularity of RTDs.
ShineWater
US brand ShineWater has expanded distribution to cover all 50 US states, having seen a 10-fold increase in sales in 2020.
Containing 100% of daily vitamin D intake, the drink comes in six flavors: strawberry lemon, mixed berry acai, peach mango, kiwi cucumber, coconut lime and pomegranate-grape. It is now available in major retailers such as select 7 Elevens; Target, Meijer and Whole Foods.
“Founded by an FDA physician, ShineWater was developed as a solution to combat the nationwide issue of Vitamin D deficiency, which currently affects as much as 70% of the US teen and adult population,” says the brand.
“ShineWater delivers powerful hydration without compromise, as the only ready-to-drink enhanced beverage on the market that packs 100% of your daily Vitamin D into one bottle, alongside valuable electrolytes, antioxidants, and minerals.”
Lyre's launches in France.
Non-alcoholic spirit Lyre’s has launched in France.
The brand – which seeks to mimic classic alcoholic drinks and cocktails – launched in Australia in 2019 and has since been expanding around the globe.
“With the trend for no and low alcohol, Lyre’s makes the impossible possible – the freedom to drink what you want, without compromise,” says the brand.
“With Lyre’s, it is now possible to adjust the level of alcohol in any cocktail.”
