What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches

Brew Dr. Kombucha unveils new look and new flavors

Brew Dr. Kombucha, a producer of 100% raw, organic, and naturally fermented kombucha, has unveiled new branding and packaging and two new flavors - Strawberry Fields and Pineapple Paradise.

Dan Stangler, CEO of Brew Dr. Kombucha, said: "We've grown and evolved over the years, and this new packaging design is the natural evolution of that growth. Our goal was to create a look that reflects the refreshing taste of our kombucha, and we think we've nailed it.

“The new packaging, created by independent brand design agency, Pearlfisher, features vibrant landscapes, whimsical scenes in nature, and fruit and botanicals that reflect Brew Dr. Kombucha's commitment to organic and natural ingredients. The packaging also features Brew Dr.’s beloved sloth mascot, Otis Sisgood, who will dispense a bit of wisdom and wit.

New flavors Strawberry Fields flavor combines the tartness of kombucha with the sweetness of strawberries, while Pineapple Paradise is a refreshing and tropical blend of juicy pineapple and sweet passionfruit.

The new packaging design and the two new flavors will be rolling out at retailers across the US, including natural food stores, grocery stores, and online via Instacart.

Absolut launches new products​

Absolut vodka has launched a trio of new drinks –Smoky Piña, Sensations Tropical Fruit and Wild Berri – which sit across three different product ranges.

The new drinks are launching across various global markets and will be, as with all its vodka, produced at Absolut's home of Åhus in southern Sweden.

• Absolut Nights Smoky Piña​
  ‘Launched in Mexico in January, Absolut Nights Smoky Piña, with its smoky pineapple and chilli flavor, is the first flavor in a new range of premium dedicated shot drinks that has been created for people wanting to share new experiences with friends when the party is in full swing. Expertly crafted to balance the pineapple with the smokiness, complete with a spicy finish, partygoers can tantalize their taste buds with the new Piña ritual by simply dipping a pineapple wedge garnish into the chilli salt, biting in and drinking.’
• Absolut Sensations​
  ‘Absolut Sensations offers a lower alcohol option – 20% ABV versus the usual 38-40% ABV – without compromising the taste or experience. Its first flavor in the range, Tropical Fruit with a hint of Szechuan Pepper, launches this month in Germany. It offers a burst of juicy tropical fruitiness towards mango and peach, with some Szechuan pepper to give a hint heat to elevate the experience.’
• Absolut Wild Berri​
  ‘Absolut Wild Berri is launching in 16 markets this year including the UK in April and the USA in May, and also rolling out across Absolut’s global travel retail footprint. The latest in the Absolut flavors range (38% ABV) uses only natural ingredients with no added sugar, offering a taste of freshly picked blueberries, blackberries and wild strawberries. Combined with spicy hints, it inspires cocktail and drink mixing.’

Bombay Pressé Citrus Collins

Bombay Sapphire is launching Bombay Pressé Citrus Collins – an RTD ‘inspired by the iconic and much-loved Tom Collins cocktail – in the UK, Germany and Benelux.

“This light, bright, ready-to-drink cocktail is a nod to the famous Tom Collins serve and offers an irresistibly citrusy and refreshing taste experience,” says the brand. “The Tom Collins is a classic cocktail, made with gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup. It blends the perfect amount of citrus and sweetness, whilst building on the foundation of gin’s botanical flavours.”

The 250ml RTD Bombay Citrus Collins is best enjoyed chilled, straight from the can, or poured over ice with a squeeze of lemon.

The new launch follows that of Bombay Citron Pressé last year.

Kombucha cans

California-headquartered kombucha brand Health-Ade has launched a new packaging format for four top flavors with cans in an 11.5 oz on-the-go size for Pink Lady Apple, Ginger Lemon, Passion Fruit-Tangerine, and Pomegranate.

The mini cans join a portfolio including the standard 16 fl oz kombucha size, probiotic tea bottles, and canned functional soda.

Rolling out in March, Health-Ade’s canned offerings will be available as singles and in four packs nationwide in key retailers like Sprouts, Whole Foods Market and Walmart and available online via Health-ade in single flavor 12 packs as well as variety packs.

Ghana

Aphro Palm Spirit, a spirit from Ghana, is launching in the UK via alcohol distributor Coastline Spirits.

The triple-distilled, organic palm spirit is tapped from the tropical date and coconut palm trees of Ghana. It launches in the UK in two flavors: The Nubi (with hints of flamed pineapple, passion fruit and honey) and The Moor (with ginger, local spices and Hwentia pepper).

The style is known as Akpeteshie locally, 'known as the drink of warriors, the drink of the nation'.

“Aphro’s premium palm spirits are carefully distilled and infused with vibrant fruits, herbs and spices to give a unique depth of taste specific to the region, resulting in a smooth, modern take on this ancient West African favourite,” says the brand.

The 100% organic spirits can be served over ice or are equally suited to mixers or cocktails. Both drinks are 40% ABV and a 750ml bottle retails at £39.99.

Gin pouch refills

Bristol, UK distillery, 6 O’clock Gin, has unveiled its recyclable gin pouches as part of its ongoing sustainability strategy.

The new 700ml pouches are aimed to service the on-trade and are designed to be decanted into the 6 O’ clock Gin London Dry blue bottles. The recyclable refill pouches can then be returned to the brand’s distillery for recycling through Royal Mail free post service, or dropped off at a designated TerraCycle UK point. 

The manufacture and distribution of the 6 O’ clock Gin London Dry pouches will reduce associated CO2 emissions by more than 90%, according to the brand.

Tom Fowkes, Marketing Director, commented “In recent years we have seen a dramatic increase in the interest of sustainability across the on-trade and we want to ensure our customers have the opportunity to purchase our gin in a more environmentally friendly way. Our empty 700ml bottles weigh around 650g each, and the consequent CO2 emissions equate to roughly 812g. Comparatively, the pouch weighs just 30g, resulting in only 46g of CO2. That means there’s a huge saving of 94.4% between the two methods, and that’s per bottle.”

6 O ’clock Gin has also been using solar energy captured by panels on the distillery roof for over 10 years, which generate enough electricity to run the still and office usage every day, as well as changing the bottles’ security seal to a plant-based material. It has recently installed electric car charging points for staff. 

Pasta alla vodka

Vodka brand Absolut has partnered with Heinz to bring its own version of the ‘much-loved Pasta alla Vodka’ recipe to consumers in the UK.

The limited-edition jars of Heinz x Absolut Tomato Vodka Pasta Sauce can be pre-ordered now ahead of a launch in Waitrose next month.

“The partnership takes inspiration from a spicy vodka pasta recipe that went viral across TikTok and Instagram in 2020 thanks to a certain supermodel,” says the Pernod Ricard brand. “As one of the world’s top ten international spirit brands, Absolut Vodka has partnered with Heinz to bring its own take on the dish to UK supermarkets, and the launch will be supported by in-store shippers, OOH, paid-social and influencer activity.

“A match made in pasta heaven, the vodka is the magic that unlocks the flavours and intensifies the aroma of the rich and creamy tomato, basil and cheese sauce in Heinz x Absolut Tomato Vodka Pasta Sauce. During the cooking process, the alcohol from the vodka is reduced, boosting the volatile flavour compounds already present in the tomatoes and creating a rich texture that perfectly balances the creamy, cheese notes with the rich tomato and fragrant basil.”