What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
New RTD tea from AriZona co-founder
Saint James Tea, a new organic line of RTD tea, is launching in the US.
An ‘entrepreneurial dream team’ – including co-founder of AriZona Iced Tea, John M. Ferolito; global culture icon Jon Buscemi, Bond Audio & D’Angelico Guitars CEO Brenden Cohen, and beverage industry veteran Roy Warren Jr – is behind the brand.
The RTD teas are packaged in Tetra Packs created with low carbon materials and made of 70% paper from responsibility managed forests. In eliminating exposure to air and light, the preservative-free tea has a shelf life of up to 24 months.
Saint James Tea will initially be available for purchase online and at select retailers across Florida.
Lifeway Oat
Lifeway Foods, a kefir and fermented probiotic brand, is launching Lifeway Oat: a dairy-free, certified vegan drink that offers the same version of its dairy kefir products.
The drinks are made with 100% whole grain oats, and contain heart-healthy beta-glucans plus 10 live and active probiotic cultures to help promote a balanced and diverse microbiome.
The drinks are also dairy-free, plant-based and gluten-free.
Seven flavors (plain, vanilla, strawberry vanilla, peaches and cream, berries and cream, apple cinnamon and blueberry maple) will be available across the US from November.
Eastern-inspired premium soft drinks
London start-up Bodha is launching a range of Eastern-inspired premium soft drinks, made with botanical ingredients and spices and no artificial colors or flavors.
UK trends suggest that consumers are increasingly looking for new, authentic and exotic flavours as well as exciting non-alcoholic alternatives, says co-founder Subha Rao.
“15 years back when I landed in the UK as a student, there would be small independent shops in town that would stock Asian groceries. It is fascinating to see that now all major supermarkets have separate aisles for world foods. Similarly, there would only be Indian and Chinese restaurants and now, there is increased diversity such as Thai, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Korean & Japanese.
“Our purpose is to kindle a love for new flavours inspired by recipes and ingredients that have been used for centuries across Asia and the Middle-East. The result is a truly refreshing drink made with real botanicals and spices to take you an exotic Eastern adventure.”
Bodha drinks are light and low in calories with flavors that can be savoured on their own or mixed with gin or vodka. These Eastern inspired drinks also partner with pan-Asian and Middle-Eastern cuisines, complementing the aromatic flavors.
Bodha is now available in Rose & Cardamom with two new flavors to follow in the autumn.
New launch from Jacob's Creek
Australian winemaker, Jacob’s Creek, will release a quartet of wines in tribute to Ann Jacob, a South Australian wine pioneer from the 1840s. The range, Jacob’s Creek A.J., is a super-premium collection of varietal wines featuring a Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Chardonnay, all crafted by Jacob’s Creek Winemaker, Trina Smith.
The contemporary, red-led range aims to recruit female wine drinkers into the super-premium wine category with the wines made in a modern Australian style and all fruit sourced from vineyards across the Barossa. The wines are described as ‘fruit-forward with a silky-smooth texture and bright delicate aromatics’ and are for drinking now or with two- or three-years age.
Eric Thomson, Global Marketing Director, Pernod Ricard Winemakers said: “Ann Jacob was a pioneering young woman with an interest in viticulture, and an early female landowner in South Australia, planting vines on her Barossa property in the early 1840s. The vineyard still thrives as part of Jacob’s Creek vineyards today.”
The 2019 Jacob’s Creek A.J. Grenache and 2020 Jacob’s Creek A.J. Chardonnay are now available to purchase at $30 RRP at Coles Liquor Group across Australia. The Jacob’s Creek A.J. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon will be on-sale in early 2022.
Baileys Apple Pie
Baileys is bringing back its limited time offering Baileys Apple Pie Irish Cream Liqueur for the fall: an ‘indulgent take on the classic fall treat which blends the flavors of freshly baked apple pie and creamy vanilla ice cream with hints of cinnamon and spice’.
It can be enjoyed neat, over ice, in coffee or chai tea, or over ice cream.
The liqueur (pictured above) is available nationwide in the US while supplies last wherever spirits-based beverages are sold for a suggested retail price of $24.99 for a 750ml bottle.
Tiki canned cocktail
Molson Coors’ Steel Reserve is introducing Tiki, a tropical canned cocktail.
Already known for its Alloy Series, Steel Reserve’s new Tiki Series ‘dials up the flavor even more’ with Strawberry Daquiri and Island Punch: launching this month across the US.
Sold in single-serve, 16-ounce cans, the new Tiki Series flavors check in at 10% ABV, up a notch from its Alloy Series, which weighs in at 8% ABV.
The Tiki Series is seeking to appeal to a growing segment of consumers looking for more potent options. Research conducted by the brand found that the market for beverages in the 10% ABV range and higher has grown more than 30% over the last three years.
Premium instant coffee
Ethical British coffee start-up Presto has launched a Colombian instant coffee to capitalize on the growing premiumization of the UK coffee market.
With notes of dark chocolate and almond, the new product is made from 100% Arabica Colombian beans for a ‘smooth drinking experience’.
“The continuing premiumization of the UK coffee market is placing greater pressure on instant coffee brands to deliver on quality and taste,” said Presto founder James Hagerty.
“As consumers are constantly being exposed to better-tasting and higher quality, freshly ground and roasted coffee, when they go home, even if they have been a lifelong coffee drinker, they’re beginning to notice their old favorite lacks the balance and flavor they’ve had elsewhere.
With instant coffee still representing 62% of the UK’s coffee consumption, Presto believes it is well-placed to capture some of that market.
An 100g tin of beans is available via Amazon or Presto for a RRP of £6.99, while a 500g tin has an RRP of £17.99.
