What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Topo Chico Hard Seltzer launches in Canada
Topo Chico Hard Seltzer is expanding its global footprint with a launch in Canada in four flavors: Strawberrry Guava, Tangy Lemon Lime, Exotic Pineapple and Tropical Mango.
Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will be sold in 12-packs of 355-mililiter cans with all four flavors and 473-mililiter singles of Tropical Mango and Strawberry Guava. The variety pack and Tropical Mango and Strawberry Guava singles will be available in West and Atlantic provinces, while consumers in Ontario will be able to purchase singles of Strawberry Guava at LCBO locations. The brand hopes to expand to Quebec in the near future.
At 4.7% alcohol by volume and 100 calories, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will be made with a premium vodka base in Canada.
Topo Chico Hard Seltzer is produced and distributed in the US and Canada by Molson Coors via a brand authorization agreement with The Coca-Cola Company, which acquired the Topo Chico brand in 2017.
Arnold Palmer Spiked Lite
Molson Coors is launching Arnold Palmer Spiked Lite, a new take on the original half-iced, tea half-lemonade flavored malt beverage with 100 calories and 2 grams of sugar per 12 ounces.
Arnold Palmer Spiked Lite, which checks in 4.5% alcohol by volume, is a lighter option of the original Arnold Palmer Spiked and represents the fourth beverage in the Arnold Palmer Spiked franchise.
“When we launched Arnold Palmer Spiked nearly four years ago, we introduced drinkers to a spiked version of the classic Arnold Palmer taste, and it instantly became a fan favorite,” says Joy Ghosh, vice president of above premium beer and flavored malt beverages at Molson Coors. “In the true spirit of living a life well-played, we are giving fans of the brand a lower-calorie option that doesn’t compromise on the classic Arnold Palmer Spiked flavor they already know and love.”
Made in partnership with AriZona, Arnold Palmer Spiked Lite will be available in 12-packs of 12-ounce slim cans and 24-ounce single cans in 16 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Thomas Ashbourne
Premium RTD canned and bottled craft cocktail brand Thomas Ashbourne is launching in the US: led by CEO Cara Kamenev alongside founding partners Sarah Jessica Parker, John Cena, Ashley Benson, Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson and Playboi Carti.
Each celebrity partner has curated their own craft cocktail for launch: Sarah Jessica Parker with The Perfect Cosmo; John Cena with The Classic Old Fashioned; Ashley Benson, Rosario Dawson and Vanessa Hudgens with The Margalicious Margarita and Playboi Carti with The Hardscatto.
“We’ve been focused on sourcing high-proof, premium spirits with the best natural ingredients to elevate the Thomas Ashbourne portfolio above the pre-made cocktail standard,” says CEO Cara Kamenev. “With the help of our celebrity partners, each flavor profile was meticulously crafted and demanded the highest standards in taste, quality and sophistication. We’re here to dispel the myth that bespoke, high-end cocktails can only be enjoyed in certain settings, by certain people. Our brand will provide consumers a high-quality beverage comparable only to the best bar-made cocktails that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.”
Thomas Ashbourne will have an average RSP of $15.99 per 375ml bottle and $25.99 for a 200ml four pack cans, available for purchase starting May 2022 in CA, TX, IL, FL, WA, NY and rolling out nationally later this summer. All four Thomas Ashbourne branded cocktails are kosher certified and gluten free with a premium spirit base that ranges from 20-25% ABV.
Saint James Tea
Saint James Tea, an organic and sustainably packaged line of ready-to-drink teas, has teamed up with LA Libations, as a component of their SoCal Incubation Program (SIP), a California-based beverage incubator that focuses on emerging health-centric consumer brands looking to grow in market.
Beginning on May 1, Saint James Tea is hitting shelves at Sprouts Farmers Markets in over 50 stores spread across two key west coast markets, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Created by the 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., Saint James Tea ‘stands out from the crowd as a healthy beverage option that boasts minimal environmental impact’.
“Sprouts Farmers Market’s healthy and eco-friendly shopping experience makes it the perfect grocery store to introduce Saint James Tea to customers on a national level, and through our partnership at LA Libations, we are excited to continue expanding our in-store presence this year,” said Ferolito.
Saint James Tea uses Tetra Paks created with low carbon materials and made of 70% paper from responsibly managed forests. The packaging also eliminates exposure to air and light, which gives the preservative-free tea a shelf life of up to 24 months.
Named in honor of Father James Haggerty - an inspirational figure in Ferolito’s early career - A key component of the company is to encourage consumers to give back. Through its #WhoIsYourSaintJames initiative, individuals will be empowered to recognize those who are helping better their communities.
Food pairing for San Pellegrino
San Pellegrino is launching its new series of canned flavored sparkling waters, S. Pellegrino Essenza, in France.
The four flavors are lemon and lemon zest; yellow peach and melon; orange sanguine and black raspberry; and pink grapefruit and citrus.
The drinks are packaged in colorful 33cl cans for presentation on the table with a meal. Each comes with a pairing suggestion for food: such as lemon and lemon zest with fish and seafood dishes and yellow peach and melon with rich mean dishes or those with a umani flavor.
40th birthday for Chouffe
Chouffe40 has been launched to celebrate 40 years of brewing for the Achouffe Brewery.
The first brew of La Chouffe beer was recorded at The Achouffe Brewery in the village of Achouffe, near Houffalize in the Belgian Ardennes, in August 1982. Fast-forward 40 years and La Couffe is the leading beer of the Ardennes and the brewery is part of Belgian family-owned brewing group Duvel Moortgat.
Christened CHOUFFE40, the new addition to the CHOUFFE family will be joining the likes of La Chouffe, Cherry Chouffe and Chouffe Soleil.
“The beer features CHOUFFE’s characteristic gloriously cloudy-golden color and delicate notes of citrus fruits and sage - with a refreshingly sweet and spiced twist, at 5.6% ABV,” says the brewery. “With six ingredients in total, all of which are 100% natural: water, barley malt, sugar, hops, spices and yeast, the Achouffe Brewery have drawn on their 40 years of expertise to give rise to this truly exceptional beer. Chouffe40 should ideally be enjoyed in a Chouffe glass at a temperature of 6°C.”
Starbucks at home
Nestlé has introduced Starbucks Breakfast Blend By Nespresso for coffee lovers to enjoy from the comfort of their homes.
Sitting on the lighter side of medium roast, Starbucks Breakfast Blend is the result of balancing the roast and taste profile for a flavour that appeals to a wider range of palates. Introduced in Starbucks coffee shops in 1998, Breakfast Blend is 'lively and citrusy with a clean finish, perfect for coffee lovers who appreciate a less intense coffee with lots of character.'
Starbucks Breakfast Blend is sold in coffee pods compatible with Nespresso machines and can be brewed as an Espresso (40ml) or Lungo (110ml). The blend is available in the UK online and in Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and ASDA.
Amelia Crow, Starbucks Brand Manager at Nestlé UK said: “We are excited to expand our range of Starbucks at home coffee by bringing Starbucks Breakfast Blend by Nespresso to our fans to enjoy from home. This beautiful blend is perfect for that first cup on a busy morning or those lazy Sundays we all love.”
Since forming the Global Coffee Alliance in 2018, Nestlé and Starbucks have introduced a wide range of Starbucks at home premium coffee products, including whole bean coffees, premium instant/soluble coffees, roast and ground coffees as well as the Starbucks capsules developed using Nespresso and Nescafé Dolce Gusto proprietary coffee and system technologies.
