What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches

Perrier Energize

Perrier Energize – a drink infused with caffeine from green coffee beans and organic yerba mate – is launching a new lemon and lime flavor in France.

Using Perrier natural mineral water ‘deliciously flavored with natural fruit aromas’, the drink is organic and low in sugar. Each 33ml can contains 99mg caffeine (compared to around 80mg in an espresso).

The new flavors joins existing flavors mandarine, grenade and grapefruit.

Gin shot

Gin shot Wattshot is expanding into the UK after a successful continental launch in 2021.

Cherry blossom flavored gin Wattshot was created by Stuart Logan using 8 botanicals and a ‘secret herbal ingredient’ for a unique layer and cool mouthfeel.

Crafted to be served as an extra chilled shot, Wattshot can also be used as a cocktail ingredient or a unique aperitif.

The shot is already available in Germany, Portugal, Austria, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.

Alcohol-free wine

A new alcohol-free wine brand, Wednesday’s Domaine, is launching in the UK next month.

The wines use dealcoholized wine from the La Mancha region of Spain, which are blended with natural flavors to maintain body, flavor, aroma and complexity with a ‘unique blending process’.

The brand debuts with two wines:

• Piquant (0.04%): ‘pale lemon in appearance and made with Airen Blanco grapes; crisp, clean and perfectly balanced, with hints of minerality and citrus notes.’
• Sanguine (0.18%): ‘channels lighter-bodied reds and is made with Tempranillo grapes; has noticeable depth and complexity, with hints of plums and blackcurrants on the nose and palate, which  combine to produce a tannic, lingering finish’

Plant Power Shots

UK plant-based energy drink company Tenzing has launched two new Plant Power Shots.

The 150ml blends come in two flavors: apple, matcha and ginger; and black cherry, guarana and goji.

The ‘small but mighty’ blends contain 120mg of natural caffeine (equivalent to three shots of coffee and coming in at 80mg per 100ml – the strongest mg/ml on the soft drinks fixture, according to the company); 22% of the daily recommended Vitamin C intake; 75mg electrolytes from Himalayan rock salt; and 30 calories per can.

Founder Huib van Bockel said: “What if you could blend your morning espresso, ginger shot and a glass of OJ into one drink? Well that’s exactly what we’ve done: our shots are everything you need to kickstart your day in just 150ml.

“We’re offering consumers a unique and refreshing energy experience, packed with real flavor from real ingredients as we continue to create delicious blends free from any artificial flavorings, ingredients or sweeteners.”

Non-carbonated mixers

US premium mixers brand, Q Mixers, has expanded into the non-carbonated mixers category with the launch of Q Spectacular Bloody Mary Mix and Q Spectacular Margarita Mix.

Jordan Silbert, Q Mixers' CEO and founder, said: "While there are a number of premium offerings in the carbonated mixer space, I realized the non-carbonated segment was really lacking quality offerings. Q Spectacular Bloody Mary Mix and Q Spectacular Margarita Mix enable anyone to easily make a spectacular bloody mary or margarita at home.  No squeezing, blending or chopping required."

Both Bloody Mary Mix and Margarita Mix are designed to offer a premium alternative to watery, high-fructose mixes. Launching nationwide at retailers including Kroger, Albertsons, CVS and Amazon, these non-carb mixers are available in both 4-packs of 7.5 oz single serve cans and, for larger gatherings, 32 oz glass bottles.

Waterloo Sparking Water

Waterloo Sparkling Water is adding two new limited time only drinks in the US: a new passion fruit flavor, and the returning summer berry flavor.

As with the brand’s other drinks, both flavors are free of sugar, calories and sweeteners and made with non-GMO Project Verified natural flavors and purified carbonated water.

"The momentum behind Waterloo, with sales growth five times the category rate in 2022 and our continued distribution growth, is proof of consumers demanding sparkling waters that deliver a unique, full-out flavor experience and of retailers seeking differentiated products like ours that drive category growth," said Jason Shiver, Waterloo CEO.

Red Bull Coconut Edition Sugarfree

Red Bull is bringing back Red Bull Coconut Edition Sugarfree for a limited time in the US.

"Delivering the wings of Red Bull Energy Drink with the taste of exotic coconut and berries with zero sugar, Red Bull Coconut Edition Sugarfree can be enjoyed on its own or in a seasonal summer mocktail with friends," says the company.

Red Bull Coconut Edition Sugarfree is available in 8.4 fl oz cans for a limited-time in singles and a 12-pack at Target, a 12-pack at Amazon, 4-pack at Walgreens and in a limited edition Sugarfree variety pack alongside Red Bull Sugarfree and Red Bull Zero at Kroger.

Tequila in a cardboard bottle

Buen Vato, the world’s first tequila in a cardboard container shaped as a bottle and made from 94% recycled material, will launch in Europe in July.

Debuting in Sweden, Tequila Buen Vato ‘is on a mission to shake-up the drinks industry by investing in sustainable manufacturing, transportation processes and CSR initiatives’.

The bottle is lighter to transport and offers major CO2 reduction in comparison to traditional methods, according to the company.

Buen Vato is a product of AliasSmith AB, a company that has invested in and developed Mexican brands in Europe over the last 18 years.  In 2019, it spent almost 1500 hours reshaping the processes and physical structures and took part in The Swedish Beverage Industry’s Climate Initiative (DKI) with the goal of reducing the industry’s carbon footprint. It pledges that the bottle is just the start of redesigning the production, packaging and business model.

Aguas Frescas

Minute Maid is ‘making juice trendy again’ with the launch of Aguas Frescas: a new twist on juice. 

The juice beverage is available in hibiscus, mango and strawberry flavors.

The non-carbonated drinks come in 16oz single serve cans across the US.