What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Pure Leaf subtly sweet
Pure Leaf is launching three new ‘subtly sweet’ lower sugar iced teas this summer in the US.
The drinks contain 85% less sugar than the brand’s sweet tea, with 20 calories and 5g sugar.
Now available in major retailers across the US, the three flavors are Subtly Sweet Black Tea, Subtly Sweet Peach, and Subtly Sweet Lemon.
"We know that many of our Pure leaf consumers want lower sugar alternatives that don't sacrifice on taste," says Julie Raheja-Perera, General Manager, North America, Pepsi Lipton Partnership. "With the help of our expert tea masters, we're excited to broaden our Pure Leaf iced tea portfolio with three refreshing lower sugar iced teas that give consumers what they are looking for. We know people will love the new Pure Leaf Lower Sugar line as it delivers on subtly sweet taste and reduced sugar content."
Neon Burst
Anheuser-Busch is launching Neon Burst in C-stores around the US this month.
The drink is a ‘brand new bold, full-flavored 8% ABV sparkling hard beverage bursting with an electrifying blend of fruit flavors.”
Neon Burst is available in two flavors: Punch Blast and Grape Blowout.
“When you evaluate what’s happening at c-store, you’re seeing a highly engaged customer help grow full-flavored, 6%-8% ALC./VOL. beverages to a $1B category,” said Joanie Kwok, Senior Brand Director, FMB Portfolio at Anheuser-Busch. “We saw an opportunity to shake things up with this new product that’s exactly what this evolving consumer is currently looking for.”
Each 12oz serving contains less than 5g sugar and 170 calories. The drink comes in 25oz and 16oz single cans.
Mulberry Gin
South Australia’s Twenty Third Street Distillery has launched a new gin for the Australian winter.
Combining local mulberries and orange zest from the Riverland, Mulberry Gin is a ‘show stopping crimson colour with a full and juicy palate’. The initial berry sweetness is followed by lingering herbal and peppery complexity, lifted with juniper and citrus.
Twenty Third Street Distillery Brand Manager, Amelia Wright, said the gin is a result of complex flavour building and careful harvesting.
“Ripe mulberries are so delicate and susceptible to crushing that we had to be incredibly delicate when harvesting them. We steep the berries in juniper and orange zest before basket pressing to extract the best essences from the mix,” said Wright.
“The Riverland mulberries used in this gin are harvested from October to November and combined with cane sugar syrup that has been infused with juniper for 48 hours. We distil our Mulberry Gin in copper before the mulberries are added to retain the refined ‘heart’.”
Artwork comes from Lena Baumgartner, an Adelaide born and raised self-taught artist who paints in a modern abstract expression.
Ranch water
Tequila Cazadores is launching a new Ranch Water in its RTD line of 100% agave canned cocktails.
Ranch Water is a blend of sweet Tequila Cazadores Blanco, crisp sparkling mineral water and a hint of fresh lime juice. The latest flavor, inspired by the Texas drink, joins the lineup of three additional Tequila Cazadores’ ready-to-drink cocktails (including Margarita, Spicy Margarita and Paloma) that were launched nationally last year.
"Tequila Cazadores has received an overwhelmingly positive response to the line of ready-to-drink (RTD) canned cocktails released last year and the rise in popularity of Ranch Water cocktails felt like a natural progression for our consumers who enjoy the ease of a RTD beverage that has real tequila and real ingredients. As we celebrate the 100-year-anniversary of our original tequila recipe this year, we’re excited to continue innovating with new products while staying true to our original tequila recipe developed in 1922" said Ashley Campbell, Tequila Cazadores Senior Brand Manager.
Tequila Cazadores Ranch Water will be available starting May 2022 in select markets including Texas, California, Illinois, Arizona and Washington. With 5.9% ABV, the Ranch Water RTD is naturally gluten-free and includes real ingredients and no artificial flavors.
Spring and summer kombucha flavors
Boochcraft has launched its newest limited edition flavors for spring/summer 2022.
The organic hard kombucha brand is made with fruit, natural ingredients and live cultures.
Hibiscus Lemonade (6% ABV) is the first release of the brand’s limited edition Liquid Art Lab Series for 2022. Meanwhile, Passionfruit Blood Orange (7% ABV) is a spring 2022 seasonal selection.
Riviera
New iced tea Riviera is launching in the UK with two flavors: lemon and peach.
“With a sleek 250ml can and aesthetic branding, Riviera brings a premium side to the market not yet explored by the big brands. From cafes, to bars, to picnics in the park; Riviera is the perfect accompaniment,” says the brand.
“After preferring the taste of brands in the US and Europe which aren’t available in the UK, the founder wanted to create something which will help grow the market and include stronger fruit flavors with white peach and Italian lemons.”
The brand launches in June online and in cafés and restaurants.
Vegan protein waters
UK protein water brand Vieve is launching a new range of vegan protein waters.
The plant-based protein solutions are aimed at the growing market of vegan and flexitarian consumers looking for an easy and convenient plant-based protein boost without the added sugars, fats or excess calories.
Initially launching with two flavors, Wild Cherry and Peach & Orange, the drinks have 10g protein, zero sugar, and 50 calories per serving.
Rafael Rozenson, founder, Vieve, said: “As the brand has grown, we have built a loyal consumer base and one of their number one requests has been for a vegan protein water. Being able to offer this is a significant moment for the business, and one I am immensely proud of as it shows our commitment to bringing first to market innovation within the category.
“The market for protein products in the UK has grown massively in the last decade, from about £50m to an over £1bn industry today and we feel there is lots of upside for growth as we bring a whole new segment of consumer into the market who are put off by traditional powders, drinks and shakes.”
Non-alcoholic wine
UK company Three Spirit has launched two non-alcoholic wines: Spark and Sharp.
Created by winemakers and plant scientists, Blurred Vines offers a 'brand-new ritual for drinking and socialising beyond alcohol'. Both Spark and Sharp are low in sugar and calories, are vegan and gluten free and feature no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives.
“By blending cold brewed rare teas, active botanical extracts, fruits and ferments, Three Spirit has created a unique and complex drinking experience that satisfies the wine consumption moment," says the brand. "This is not a de-alcoholised wine, this is not a soft drink, these are drinks that redefine and reimagine what is possible.
“Spark offers an alternative to sparkling Rosé, with active botanicals including guayusa that has been shown to focus the mind and lift the mood. Schisandra berries and cayenne pepper work to promote circulation and increase energy levels; and bold bubbles with tannic red fruit flavours and notes of green tea, redcurrents and strawberry.
“Spark is laced with natural botanical extracts of Californian poppy, nettle leaf, clary sage and jalapeño, the latter offering spicy notes, before a lingering, citrus finish. Coconut water, vitamin D and amino acids are also included, proven to refresh and invigorate body and mind."
