What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Vizzy gets packaging refresh for 2023
Molson Coors hard seltzer brand Vizzy is introducing a new look and lineup this year, designed to draw in more consumers at retail.
Vizzy’s new look includes reshuffling the flavors in its two primary variety packs, so each pack has a distinct vibe.
Its new orange Vibrantly Tropical pack features Pineapple Mango, Papaya Passionfruit, Blueberry Pomegranate and Strawberry Kiwi.
The bright blue Refreshingly Berry pack, meanwhile, includes Blackberry Lemon, Black Cherry Lime, Watermelon Strawberry and Raspberry Tangerine.
Also getting an update is Vizzy’s lemonade variety pack – renamed Tangy Lemonade and featuring bright yellow packaging – and its mimosa pack, now branded with magenta packaging as Sparkling Mimosa.
Loverboy redesign
Also getting a packaging refresh is US RTD alcohol company Loverboy.
Founder Kyle Cooke, star of Bravo reality TV shows Summer House and Winter House, launched Loverboy with co-star and real-life wife Amanda Batula in 2018. The company's growth has been a central storyline in the show's six-season run to date as the duo set about building the drink brand.
Cooke - known for his 'signature loud wardrobe' - engaged Scottish creative agency Thirst to realize a new look.
The result is branding and packaging which is 'brighter, louder, and bolder to help the cans ‘pop’ from the shelf, and embody Loverboy and Cooke’s party spirit as they seek to conquer the US drinks market', according to the company.
The refreshed packaging debuts in an eight-can variety pack in September and is now rolling out across Loverboy's full product portfolio.
MUD\WTR
Coffee alternative brand MUD\WTR has launched two new products for the new year.
Thew new launches :rise Matcha and :balance Turmeric join :rise Cacao in the line of adaptogenic mushroom drink blends.
MUD\WTR started in 2018 with a mission to change the relationship people have with coffee. It now has three categories of products for different need states and occasions throughout the day: which are :rise, :balance and :rest.
Joining its flagship coffee alternative in the :rise category, :rise Matcha is a mindful morning ritual with an extra boost of energy. MUD\WTR’s matcha blend is 100% organic and made with spices and mushrooms. “With just a fraction of the caffeine found in coffee, as well as naturally occurring L-theanine from matcha, it provides energy, focus and immune support, without the jitters, crash or poor sleep,” says the brand.
The first in MUD’s new :balance category, :balance Turmeric is meant to inspire meaningful breaks during the day. “This caffeine-free blend of functional mushrooms, turmeric and spices is a grounding and soothing afternoon break,” it continues.
Clearly Canadian
Premium sparkling water brand Clearly Canadian is making Summer Strawberry a permanent addition to its line-up.
Sourced from Canadian springs, the 90s beverage returned to North America in 2017 and is continuing to revive the brand with new innovations.
“Summer Strawberry made its LTO debut in the summer of 2022,” explains the company. “However, after an overwhelming amount of customer demand, selling thousands of cases in just a matter of weeks and being a top new innovation at a major US Retailer, the brand decided to make the fan favorite flavor a permanent addition to its premium line-up.”
The flavor is available in grocery stores across North America as of this month with a MSRP of $2.69 for an 11oz glass bottle.
Frisky Whiskey expands locations
Frisky Whiskey, a premium flavored whiskey infused with caramel and vanilla, is now available at select Costco Wholesale locations in South Carolina.
The Black woman-owned flavored whiskey is produced in Charleston, South Carolina: with a breakthrough formula using pure caramel and natural vanilla to accentuate and enhance these naturally occurring whiskey notes.
“The award-winning recipe is an ideal option for both whiskey connoisseurs and the whiskey curious. In stark contrast to typical flavored whiskeys, which tend to skew fruity and overly sweet in an attempt to mask whiskey’s true flavor, Frisky intentionally leans into premium aged whiskey’s most sought after flavor profile,” says the company.
Frisky Whiskey is the brainchild of Nicole Young and James Landis - two of the masterminds behind the storied Hpnotiq Liqueur brand - and industry veteran Ken Donarski, who has over 50 years of experience in the beverage industry.
Frisky Whiskey is now available at select Costco locations in South Carolina, retailing for $25.99. It is also available for purchase online and select retailers in New York, California, South Carolina, New Jersey and Illinois.
Friends coffee creamer
US coffee creamer brand International Delight has launched a new limited-edition Friends Manhattan Hazelnut Mocha creamer, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products.
Inspired by Central Perk's Manhattan Mocha coffee, which eagle eye Friends superfans may have spotted on the famed coffee shop's chalkboard menu, the ‘boldly flavored creamer features hints of hazelnut, mouthfuls of mocha and all the excitement of Manhattan’.
The creamer also comes in a zero sugar variety.
"Friends is one of the most iconic and most-watched TV shows of all time. On a mission to deliver collaborations our consumers will love, the choice to create a creamer flavor inspired by Friends couldn't have been any clearer," said Kallie Goodwin, Vice President of Marketing for Danone’s International Delight. "As Americans are looking to recreate their favorite coffeehouse experiences at home more and more, International Delight Hazelnut Mocha creamer is Central Perk approved."
The new Hazelnut Mocha marks International Delight's third limited-edition creamer collaboration with Warner Bros. in just two years. In December 2020, the beloved creamer brand released a seasonal line of creamers inspired by Buddy the Elf from the classic holiday movie, Elf., International Delight has also debuted Wonka Whipple Scrumptious Fudgy Caramel creamer, with the iconic Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory as its muse.
Both bottles of Hazelnut Mocha creamer feature show-inspired iconography, include the Central Perk sign and silhouettes of everyone's favorite six friends on a purple backdrop – matching the paint color in the girls' apartment.
International Delight Friends Manhattan Hazelnut Mocha creamers are available in 32 oz. bottles with an SRP of $3.99 at major retailers nationwide for a limited time only.
