What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Think Cold Brew Ground Coffee
Four Sigmatic has launched its first cold brew product – Think Cold Brew Ground Coffee – to support cognitive function and mental well-being.
“Think Cold Brew Ground Coffee combines a coarse grind of 100% organic fair-trade Arabica coffee beans with functional mushrooms. In Think Cold Brew, a curated, powerful blend of Lion’s Mane and Chaga functional mushrooms are used to help support cognitive function, mental focus, and energy,” explains the US brand.
“Lion’s Mane, known for supporting focus, productivity and thinking, delivers the mental wake-up needed without the extra caffeine, while Chaga supports the immune system and whole-body wellness. Both are adaptogens that help the body adapt to stress. Four Sigmatic combines these adaptogens with coffee to offset the dreaded dark side of coffee while maintaining the same great taste cold brew lovers expect.
"Plus, cold brew also has a lower acid level than hot coffee.”
Lower proof vodka
Body, a lower-proof vodka option, is debuting in the US this month.
“Body’s unique and proprietary formula is offering consumers a 25% less alcohol alternative to standard 80 proof vodkas and other high proof spirits,” says the brand.
“We’re redefining the industry by bringing low proof vodka to the forefront by making a 60 proof spirit option more accessible to consumers.
“Body is filling a need for people who want to drink but who want lower alcoholic spirit options. Although there are a lot of lower alcohol RTD beverages, there are not many low proof hard alcohol options available on the market and Body wants to change this.”
English aperitif
A collaboration between English wine producer Chapel Down and spirits distiller Capreolus Distillery has resulted in Aker: a new English aperitif.
A Rosé expression (17% ABV, £35 for a 75cl bottle) is now available will more expressions to be released in the coming months.
Made using Pinot Noir from one of Chapel Down’s vineyards in the heart of Kent and wild fermented eau de vie made with raspberries fresh from the Cotswolds, Aker prides itself on bringing out the true character of its finest English ingredients.
An infusion of blossoms, roots and spices are balanced with wormwood before, lastly, distilled Chapel Down Chardonnay grape skin distillate is added to enhance the flavor. With a low ABV of 0.9 units per serve, it’s designed for a longer, lighter drink experience and is ‘set to disrupt the UK vermouth category and redefine aperitif culture’ in the country.
With consumer behavior shifting to more awareness around health, provenance, and a thirst for appreciating all things home-grown, Aker’s founder, Ian Bayliss, says now is the perfect time to launch.
“The majority of food and drink we buy is shipped in from all corners of the globe, and we want to challenge that by partnering with two English producers who are the best at what they do, using fresh ingredients that are locally produced for maximum flavor.”
Bear's Fruit
Brooklyn-based Bear’s Fruit is debuting its second gut healthy product with the launch of Sparkling Water with Probiotics.
As with its original Fruit Kombucha, the new functional sparkling waters are also made with 100% organic fruit and fresh herbs.
The drinks are available at Whole Foods in the Northeast and come in four flavors: strawberry basil; watermelon mint; blackberry sage and mango habanero.
New specialty K-Cup pods
Keurig Dr Pepper and BLK & Bold Specialty Beverages have launched BLK & Bold coffees in K-Cup pods for the Keurig brewing system.
BLK & Bold was cultivated in 2018 in Des Moines, Iowa by founders Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson. The Black-owned brand delivers a blend of rich flavors to coffee lovers with a mission to support youth in need by helping to close socio-economic gaps in the US. For every product sold, the company pledges 5% of its profits to “For Our Youth” partners nationwide who are dedicated to giving America's children the tools they need to be the best versions of themselves.
Beginning this month, three Fair Trade-certified BLK & Bold blends will hit shelves across the US on BLK & Bold and Keurig digital platforms and at Target and Albertson’s, with more retailers to be added throughout the year. Varieties include:
- Rise & GRND: A signature medium roast blend with a taste profile of caramel, lemon, and nutty flavor notes.
- Smoove Operator: A creamy dark roast blend with flavor notes of caramel and toffee with the signature silky feel of a full-bodied coffee.
- Brighter Days: A light roast with a vibrant blend of fruity, toffee flavor notes.
Bella Apertini
Beverage manufacturer ICB has launched Bella Apertini in supermarkets Morrisons and Tesco and Amazon in the UK.
According to company, ‘the classic aperitivo has been crafted with bitter, sweet orange and delicate herbal flavours for a refreshing summer drink... Perfectly paired with soda and prosecco, of course.’
Clare Gibson, Marketing Director at ICB, added: “This zesty and bright orange aperitif is the perfect serve for summer celebrations. It can get everyone and anyone ready for spritz season this summer!
“The spritz is one of the best-selling cocktails globally, which is why we wanted to roll out widely across the UK so everyone can have a taste. It’s light and refreshing, perfect for the warmer weather.”
Zoa Zero Sugar
Zoa Energy’s new limited flavor, Cherry Limeade, will be available in the US from Monday.
The product is the third zero sugar flavor expansion from Zoa Energy this year, joining a lineup which now features Tropical Punch, White Beach, Super Berry, Pineapple Coconut and Wild Orange.
The brand uses 120mg of natural caffeine from green tea extract and green coffee, as well as turmeric and camu camu, which includes 80% of the daily value of vitamin C, alongside B vitamins.
“We wanted to introduce a flavor that is fresh and unique but widely anticipated. We know Cherry Limeade will be a refreshing and delicious addition, as we near the end of summer,” said Zoa founder, Dave Rienzi.
