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

Gatorade Fit

PepsiCo sports drink Gatorade has announced a new fitness product, Gatorade Fit: an electrolyte beverage with no added sugar, no artificial flavors or sweeteners, and no artificial colors.

The drink contains 100% of the daily value of antioxidant vitamins A and C, as well as electrolytes sourced from watermelon and sea salt (it has the same level of electrolytes as Gatorade Thirst Quencher).

Gatorade Fit comes in five flavors: Tropical Mango, Watermelon Strawberry, Citrus Berry, Cherry Lime, Tangerine Orange. 

Volvic Peach & Raspberry

Volvic has launched a new flavor in the UK, Touch of Fruit Peach & Raspberry: a sugar-free launch with added B6 for vitality.

“The Volvic Touch of Fruit Sugar Free range has grown in value sales by +36% over 2021, appealing to consumers who wish to stay hydrated without compromising on great taste,” ​explains the Danone brand. “The new addition to the range, boasts the sweet taste of juicy white peaches combined with floral raspberry notes for a refreshing twist. ​

“Through extensive research into flavor trends, Volvic found that Peach & Raspberry flavored drinks grew by 17% within the soft drinks category over 2021.” ​

The new flavor is available in a 1.5L bottle, exclusively available in ASDA until March, when it will be rolled out to other large supermarkets & impulse channels. The launch will be supported with online & in-store activity, alongside influencer & other PR moments.

Hard Mtn Dew

The Boston Beer Company and PepsiCo’s new collaboration, Hard Mtn Dew, has launched in the US.

As one of the first alcoholic versions of the major soft drinks brand, Hard Mtn Dew ‘delivers on the bold, citrus flavor the soft drink fans know and love, now with an added bite of 5% ABV’.

The drink launches with four flavors: original, Baja Blast, Black Cherry and Watermelon. The drinks have no caffeine, zero added sugar and 100 calories per serving.

Available in 24oz. single-serve cans and 12-pack 12oz. can Mix Packs, Hard Mtn Dew is rolling out across Florida, Tennessee and Iowa, with expanded availability to be announced throughout 2022.

Ballantine's Wild

Scotch whisky brand Ballantine’s has unveiled Ballantine’s Wild - a new spirit drink made with a blend of Scotch whisky and sweet cherry flavors – in Poland.

Ballantine’s Wild is the third flavored expression to be released by Poland’s number one whisky brand, following Ballantine’s Brasil and Ballantine’s Passion.

The 30% ABV drink offers a ‘sweet but tart cherry flavor with almond notes that complement the distinctive Scotch whisky base; the dried fruit notes further enhance the fruit notes within the whisky to give a complex and rewarding experience’. It can be drunk with tonic, in a cocktail, on the rocks, or neat.

“Flavors have been doing exceptionally well in Poland and we wanted to continue to offer even more variety, this time with our first dark fruit expression,” ​commented Sandy Hyslop, Ballantine’s Master Blender.

A rollout across multiple markets is set to follow later this year.

Tropicana Light

Tropicana has launched Tropicana Light, a new product within the Tropicana Premium Drinks assortment, with no sugar added and 70% fewer calories than other Tropicana Premium drinks.

Tropicana Light comes in two flavors: Berry Colada (with notes of strawberry, pineapple and coconut) and Tropical Sunrise (with the bright taste of mango and passionfruit).

The drinks are made with 15% juice and is a source of Vitamin C.

Both flavors are available in the US in 52-oz. bottles in grocery stores, including Ahold, Kroger, and Wakefern. 

Sparkling Ice Spiked Cocktails

Talking Rain Beverage Company, the maker of Sparkling Ice Spiked, has launched cocktail-inspired hard seltzers.

Sparkling Ice Spiked Cocktails come in two flavors: Strawberry Margarita and Mango Mojito.

The 6% ABV cocktails combine sparkling water and fruit flavor, coming in at 120 calories per 12oz can and zero sugar. 

Brooklyn Brewery: hazy IPA

Following its first widely distributed hazy IPA in 2021, Brooklyn Brewery has launched Brooklyn Pulp Art Hazy Double IPA [8% ABV], a ‘powerful spin’ on the original Pulp Art Hazy IPA.

Brooklyn Pulp Art Hazy Double IPA has a profile that is ‘hazy, soft and powerful, with notes of fresh pineapple, vivid passion fruit, and featuring Citra, Sultana and Sabro hops - perfectly paired with everything from tacos al pastor, rich fruit preserves, salty feta cheeses, miso glazed salmon, and habanero salsa.’

Brooklyn Pulp Art Hazy Double IPA will be sold in a 6pk of 12 oz cans, large format 19.2 oz can, and via draft, available in the US in all places where Brooklyn Brewery beers are sold.

Energy tonic water

UK soft drinks startup Buzzed has launched what it believes to be the first energy tonic water.

The drink uses natural caffeine and is sweetened with pure blossom honey and stevia, which creates ‘the perfect delicate flavor experience, avoiding the overwhelming sugary taste often associated with energy drinks’. A can contains 17 calories.

The drinks are available in Selfridges this month in a multipack of eight cans (RSP £5.50 / 8x150ml).