What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Boxed cocktails
Margs, a ready-to-drink canned margarita company, has just introduced their new innovative product: ‘Margs…in a box’.
Margs, which launched in 2021, uses top-quality tequila and ingredients to create an authentic flavor that is low in sugar and calories. The new boxed Margs are 10% ABV, naturally gluten free, and are able to make 25 cocktails.
“Why switch to boxed cocktails? Firstly, boxed Margs last longer than other cocktails as they are better aerated - keeping your drink fresher for longer,” says the brand.
“The Margs box fits perfectly in your fridge, so all you have to do is grab a glass and pour your Margs over ice for a fast, delicious and restaurant-quality margarita right at home - no blender required! Boxed Margs is all you need for an effortless and delicious margarita instantly.”
Margs is available nationwide in the US DTC, and in marquee stadiums and venues including MetLife Stadium, Highmark Stadium, UBS Arena, and Tao Group - and soon-to-be in Texas, Michigan and Illinois.
Boxed Margs comes in Classic Margarita while canned cocktails come in four additional flavors: mango, coconut, spicy and mezcal.
Bombay Sapphire special edition bottle
Bombay Sapphire and the Basquiat Estate have revealed their third edition of the brand’s artist designed Special Edition bottle, which pays homage to cultural icon and prolific artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
The bottle ‘shines a light on Basquiat’s fearless creativity and their joint mission to make the art world more accessible to all who have a passion for self-expression, a part of the brand’s ongoing ‘Stir Creativity’ platform.’
Drawing inspiration from Jean-Michel Basquiat’s time in Los Angeles, the Special Edition bottle features one of Basquiat’s earliest works, his Untitled (L.A Painting) – a work influenced by the surrounding remote environment of Venice Beach where Basquiat found security and solitude away from the distractions in New York in 1982.
“We are honored to shine a light on Basquiat’s dynamic creativity and offer an entirely new way to experience art” said Jaime Keller, Brand Director of Bombay Sapphire North America.
“This bottle represents our longstanding history of supporting creative visionaries in our mission to make the art world more accessible. Through the release of our third artist-designed Special Edition bottle, we are allowing people access to Jean-Michel Basquiat’s art to be inspired by his work for generations to come.”
Honey aperitif
Beesou, an all-natural bitter aperitif ‘kissed by honey’ from Beehave Beverages, has launched in the UK.
“Unlike no other on the market, the category defining spirit is the first B-Corp aperitif. Made from natural ingredients, it’s blended from ethically sourced British honey and botanicals, stamped with the B-Corp certification.
“The low alcohol (11% ABV) has a distinctive flavour profile of complex top notes of cinchona bark and bitter chinotto, giving way to bursts of pink grapefruit before rounding out into the mellowness of raw honey. Entirely free from artificial colours and flavours, the iconic sunshine yellow is achieved using safflower extract.
“The emphasis on delivering a natural product is at the root of Beesou’s ethos and Beehave Beverages are on a mission to create an environmentally friendly aperitif with a purpose. The unique and versatile nature of Beesou is what also sets it apart, cocktail serves include the ‘Beegroni’ or the all year round ‘Beesou spritz’.”
A 70cl bottle of Beesou retails at £29.99 from Beesou website, Amazon and Whiskey Exchange. 10% of all profits are also donated to Bees for Development charity.
Hedgerow gin
The Cotswolds Distillery has launched Cotswolds Hedgerow Gin in the UK.
This latest gin expression from The Cotswolds Distillery is inspired by the abundance of fruit and flora found in the British hedgerows in late summer and early autumn. Cotswolds Hedgerow Gin is made from the juices of sloe, damson, blackberry, plum and elderberry and then layered over Cotswolds Dry Gin. It is then lightly sweetened to create a gin bursting with flavour and fruity deliciousness.
Dan Szor, Founder and CEO of Cotswolds Distillery, says “We are thrilled to introduce Cotswolds Hedgerow Gin to our customers and to share a part of our beautiful Cotswolds countryside with the wider public. Steeped in flavour from blackberries, elderberries and plums, it is the perfect edition to the Cotswolds Gin range moving into the season of mellow fruitfulness.”
Ginger mule
Beverage brand Flying Embers has launched its Ginger Mule to bring a ‘healthier twist on a sugary favorite’.
“The Ginger Mule is the perfect replacement for your traditional Moscow Mules as it contains zero-sugar and zero carbs so that you can continue drinking your favorite cocktails without the next day hangover!”
“Moscow Mules usually have around 12 grams of sugar, while Flying Embers is zero-sugar. Traditional Mules have around 15 grams of carbs, while Flying Embers is zero-carbs. And around 3 ingredients are needed for a typical mule, while with Flying Embers you can just enjoy it ready-to-drink from the can.
“The Ginger Mule features fresh punchy ginger balanced with subtly sweet lemony notes of Japanese yuzu and then layered with rich aromatic golden turmeric. This is the perfect new spin on classic ginger and citrus mules with a 7% ABV! to deliver a new spin on a classic ginger and citrus mule.”
The 6-pack is available to purchase at $11.99 online from Flying Embers and in select retail stores, bars, and restaurants across the US.
Bad Beer Vodka
BrewDog is launching Bad Beer Vodka: a range of flavor forward spirits made from any batch of beer that doesn’t make the brewers ‘fastidious’ standards.
Instead of leaving the brewery, beer is transported (across the road) to BrewDog Distilling Co’s state of the art new distillery. Here it’s run through the largest column still in Europe to create ‘an exceptionally smooth and superbly silky vodka’.
Bad Beer Vodka comes in three flavors:
- Original – ‘Leads with aromas of icing sugar and caramel followed by a top note of vanilla, before coating the mouth with a warming sweet finish’
- Vanilla and Toasted Marshmallow – ‘Dials up natural sweetness to start, reminiscent of toasted marshmallows on a campfire, with caramelised Madagascan vanilla’
- Tropical Guava – ‘A powerhouse of the juiciest tropical fruits including ripe guava, a hint of pineapple and a lick of mango’.
“Packaged in a recycled glass bottle and using a wood pulp label, Bad Beer Vodka is the next step in BrewDog and BrewDog Distilling Co’s commitment to the environment. The creation of Bad Beer Vodka will join the use of an anaerobic digestor and the 9,308-acre Lost Forest planting and peatland restoration projects, further boosting BrewDog and BrewDog Distilling Co’s pioneering ecological credentials,” says the brewery.
BrewDog Distilling Co’s Bad Beer Vodka has a RRP £20 for a 700ml bottle, 40% ABV available online from BrewDog and from Tesco.
Spooky seltzer
Mighty Swell Spiked Seltzer, an Austin, Texas hard seltzer brand, is launching a variety of products for Halloween.
Mighty Swell’s limited edition Halloween Blood Orange Six-Pack features ‘a chilling nightscape reminiscent of your favorite scary movie’. Additionally, the company will release a 19.2 ounce single can of hit flavor Tiger’s Blood as well as a seasonal keg of Purple Magic.
“The seltzer innovation cycle typically includes the ubiquitous spring releases, summer pool or party-related, and winter holiday-themed packs,” said Jeana Harrington, CEO of Mighty Swell.
“Not all fall drinkers and those heading back to college want cider, pumpkin spice, and Oktoberfest – leaving room for more and interesting innovation. Accordingly, we leaned into late summer and fall releases focused around our Tiger's Blood, Purple Magic and Blood Orange flavors with an emphasis of Keeping it Weird in their execution.”
All Mighty Swell products contain all-natural ingredients, and every can is Certified Gluten Free, OU Kosher, vegan friendly, and 100 calories with only three grams of carbs from real fruit juice.
Vicky Chamoy
Ultra premium Mexican beer Victoria is bringing its first-ever brand innovation to the US: Vicky Chamoy, a chamoy-flavored beer with notes of sweet, salty, spicy, and sour.
“True to its roots and origin, Vicky Chamoy embraces a Mexican flavor palate with hints of tamarind and chile perfectly complemented by flavors of chamoy, apricot and lime,” says brand owner Constellation Brands.
“Traditional chamoy is made with pickled fruits such as apricots, mango and/or plums and mixed with chili powder, to make a delicious red condiment-type sauce commonly combined with beer in Mexico to create a chelada beer cocktail.”
