What's hitting the shelves? New product launches
BrewDog’s soft drinks
Scottish craft brewer BrewDog is expanding into the soft drinks market with the launch of its P.O.P. Soda line.
The range is made up of four flavors: Dark Cherry, Jagged Grapefruit, Citizen Cola, and Hazy Lemon.
One-hundred percent of profits from the P.O.P line (which stands for Planet Over Profit Soda) is going to climate change initiatives.
“Our mission has always been to rewrite outdated old world thinking with bold new world behaviours. So, just like we revolutionised craft beer with our Punk IPA, we want to do the same for the world of soft drinks.,” said BrewDog’s Brand & Marketing Director Lauren Carrol.
“P.O.P Soda is more than just a pop drink. We’re giving everyone the chance to contribute to the fight against climate change by simply picking up a can of P.O.P Soda and collectively taking action to stop the climate crisis.”
The new SKUs will be available exclusively in supermarket Tesco, as well as in BrewDog bars across the country and via the brewer’s website. A pack of six 330ml cans has an RRP of £4.
Red Bull Green Edition Dragon Fruit
Red Bull Summer Edition Dragon Fruit is returning in the US as a permanent offering: now to be known as Red Bull Green Edition Dragon Fruit.
The drink – which will replace former Red Bull Green Edition Kiwi Apple – delivers ‘a burst of red berries, a hint of plum and notes of florals’.
Red Bull Green Edition Dragon Fruit is available at retailers nationwide as single serve 8.4 fl oz and 12 fl oz cans. The taste will also be available for purchase at select retailers in a 8.4 fl oz 4-pack and a 12 fl oz 4-pack, available exclusively at Walmart.
Australian vodka
Vanguard Luxury Brands has launched Australia’s first ‘raw vodka’, tilde~.
“Crafted over two years, tilde~ is a premium raw vodka and is the result of a brewer, distiller and bartender joining forces to create a completely unique liquid,” says the brand. “Its raw materials and distinctive flavor profile is a true Australian expression of craft vodka.
“tilde~ is made using a new process of low-intervention distillation of high-quality, craft sour beer wash base and minimal filtration to preserve depth, character and natural flavors. The result is a vodka with identifiable character, complexity, authenticity and most importantly, is delicious.”
The vodka can be served neat, in a signature serve with soda and lemon, or in a martini or other cocktails.
Brew Dr. launches peach-flavored kombucha
US kombucha and tea brand Brew Dr. has launched its first-ever peach flavored kombucha, Just Peachy.
“To create this bright and juicy kombucha, Brew Dr. starts with high-quality loose leaf green tea, then blends in five different varieties of organic peaches,” explains the brand. “The result is a delicious balance of sweet, ripe, and tart flavors, with hints of honey and summer flower.”
The limited release is available at select retails across the country.
Hot shot
MOJU’s ‘Hot Shot’ - a spicy caffeine-free pick-me-up shot - is hitting shelves across the UK.
Sold in a 60ml format, the shot is made from mango, turmeric, ginger root, and a kick of cayenne pepper. It is a source of vitamin C.
The SKU follows on from MOJU’s original Ginger Shot. “MOJU’s Ginger Shot has set a new standard in the market; delivery hyper-convenient, fresh and functional nutrition to consumers when they need it most,” said MOJU co-founder Rich Goldsmith.
“The Hot Shot is an exciting addition to the range and has been formulated to not only support consumers’ immune health and vitality, but to bring the signature MOJU punch of flavor to more people – especially those who can’t handle the heat of the OG Ginger Shot.”
MOJU’s Hot Shot has an RRP of £1.95 per 60ml bottle and is available from Benugo and Planet Organic this month, before rolling out into Waitrose and Leon in March 2022.
New sparkling water flavor
UK soft drinks company Britvic is adding an Orange & Mango flavor to its Aqua Libra range of infused sparkling waters.
“Containing no sugar, no calories and nothing artificial, Aqua Libra is perfectly placed to meet consumer demand for healthier soft drink options,” says the company. “The new flavor, joining Raspberry & Blackcurrant and Cucumber, Mint & Lime in the existing line up, plays perfectly into this consumer trend of adopting a healthier, more natural approach to their lifestyle, while offering consumers more variety.”
The brand is also well-suited to cater for consumers who are looking for variety in their soft drinks while working from home: with Britvic noting that 65% of infused water sales are in multipack formats.
Aqua Libra Blood Orange & Mango is available in single 330ml cans with an MRSP of £1.
It is also available in multipacks of four at an MRSP of £3.00 and packs of 24 at an MRSP of £15.96: with Britvic noting increased interest in multipacks from consumers who are looking for more variety in their soft drinks while working from home (65% of infused water sales are in multipack formats).
Vodka soda
Canadian RTD spirit-based beverage brand, Good Sunday, has expanded into California.
The brand recently signed a US distribution agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits to distribute its new line of vodka sodas: which are gluten-free and contain 95 calories and 1g sugar per 12oz/355ml can.
The two 4.5% ABV new flavors, Watermelon Lime Vodka Soda and Lemon Vodka Soda, are both available in 6 packs.
Big Drop launches multi-packs
UK alcohol-free brewer Big Drop has launched a series of multi-packs designed for the wholesale, convenience and cash & carry markets.
Cases of 12 x 330ml cans contain either 4 or 12 packs of the brewer’s most popular 0.5% abv SKUs – Paradiso Citra IPA and Pine Trail Pale Ale.
The new formats will also include the boldly-styled ‘Big Explorer’ and ‘Big Hello’ 8 can boxes that were trialled in Waitrose last year and cater for the growing number of ‘sober-curious’ consumers looking to try different styles of AF beer.
Rob Fink, co-founder and CEO of Big Drop, said: “Retailer feedback and the trends on our own webshop tell us that consumers are increasingly confident to purchase Big Drop in larger formats as well as actively exploring the wider range of styles on offer. The no and low beer category has so far been led by the multiples in the UK, but C&C and Convenience are now sitting up and paying attention. Our packaging certainly draws attention and will give stockists the opportunity to have bold, vibrant pallet displays in depots that will drive trial and engagement with the retailers.”
Coca-Cola Starlight
Coca-Cola Starlight – an ‘intergalactic flavor’ - launches in the US this month.
Inspired by the infinite possibilities of space, Coca‑Cola Starlight fuses signature Coca‑Cola taste with ‘unexpected touches, including a reddish hue and cooling taste sensation evoking the feeling of a journey to space.’
The Coca‑Cola Starlight package design features a starfield and gradient evoking a nebular feel that undulates and refracts while interacting with light.
The launch is part of Coca-Cola Creations: a new project which developed under the Real Magic brand platform launched at the end of last year and which has the remit of ‘bringing a sense of intrigue and newness to a 136-year-old brand’ for its Gen Z audience.
Wild Berry kombucha
Continuing to expand its UK presence, kombucha brand Remedy has launched a new flavor, Wild Berry.
Like the brand’s other flavors, the new launch contains no sugar and is made in small batches following a long-aged 30 day brewing process.
“On first sip of Remedy’s latest flavour, you’ll be swept away to a warm summer’s day – whatever the temp outside! Bursting with strawberry, blackberry and blueberry bliss, this sun-ripened blend is sweet, jammy and beautifully aromatic,” says the brand.
Remedy Kombucha Wild Berry will initially be stocked exclusively at Tesco in a multipack (4 x 330ml) can format (RRP. £5). The retail giant will also be launching Remedy Kombucha Mango Passion at the same time, and more than doubling distribution of its existing Remedy flavors (Raspberry Lemonade and Ginger Lemon).
Botanical sodas
The UK’s Belvoir Farm has launched new low calorie botanical sodas.
Floral Fizz, Bitter Orange Spritz and Spicy Ginger Fizz (each 500ml, £2.25) aim to bring something different to adult soft drinks and the low/no alcohol category, with three distinct flavour profiles to enjoy on their own, mixed with a tipple, or as a splash to elevate summer cocktails and mocktails.
“Inspired by nature and bubbling with botanical character, the sophisticated trio of non-alcoholic, sparkling drinks also delivers a healthier hit of hydration with less than 4.5g of sugar and fewer than 20 calories per 100ml,” says the brand.
“Bridging the gap between soft drinks and mixers, the hand-stirred infusions are blended with sparkling spring water to create layers of flavor that make the new ready-to-drink sodas the perfect replacement for alcohol without compromising taste or drinking experience – good for the six million Brits who don’t drink alcohol and one third actively reducing their intake.”
The drinks are vegan-friendly and free from preservatives, flavoring, artificial colors and artificial sweeteners.
