What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches

Reduced caffeine coffee pods

London-based independent coffee company CafePod is launching Half-Caff Brunch Blend, a half-caffeinated edition of one of their bestselling blends.

Available as Nespresso compatible pods, the coffee boasts notes of decadent chocolate caramel brownies and is ‘crafted to delight those wanting to go easy on the caffeine, but still wanting a delicious-tasting coffee, no compromise.’

“With the ‘no-low’ trend gathering momentum in other food and drink categories and health and wellbeing still at the top of everyone’s agenda, decaf and half-caff coffee are both set to explode in the coming months,” says the brand.

“Having already proved popular in the American coffee market, CafePod is confident that half-caff will soon become a firm favourite in the UK too.

“CafePod’s Half-Caff Brunch Blend allows you to enjoy delicious coffee in the afternoon or evening without having to worry about the caffeine keeping you up. It’s a 50:50 blend of decaffeinated and regular roasted coffee. The blend not only meets no-lo demand, but also caters for those with an eye on sustainability, coming in 80% recycled aluminium pods which take 95% less energy to produce vs. primary aluminium and are still 100% recyclable.”

Fever-Tree's ‘Ultimate Variety Pack’​

Fever-Tree has teamed up with UK supermarket Waitrose to launch an exclusive, limited edition Variety Pack for summer.

The handy compact pack (RRP £7.50) is perfect for the fridge or on the go and contains twelve pocket-sized 150ml cans of some of Fever-Tree’s best-selling flavours: Italian Blood Orange Soda, Mexican Lime Soda, Refreshingly Light Premium Indian Tonic Water and Refreshingly Light Mediterranean Tonic Water. 

Saskia Meyer, Marketing Director at Fever-Tree says, ​“We’re delighted to launch this exclusive pack with Waitrose which makes sharing a delicious drink with friends this Summer easier than ever.

"This May is full of celebratory occasions and we’ve designed this pack with these in mind! The range of flavours means there’s something in there for everyone. It is the perfect summer party addition, from garden BBQs, picnics in the park to long weekend lunches.

"Simply fill a glass with ice, pour over 50ml of your favourite spirit and one Fever-Tree can for a sparkling spritz or refreshing G&T.”

Vizzy hard seltzer introduces limited-edition orange cream pop flavor​

Vizzy is tapping into a nostalgic vibe this summer with a limited-release Orange Cream Pop flavor that ‘reimagines the classic orange cream soda, but in hard seltzer form’.

Vizzy Orange Cream Pop Hard Seltzer will be available across the US for a limited time this summer, starting in mid-May.

The Molson Coors hard seltzer brand’s other flavors include vibrantly tropical, refreshing berry, sparkling mimosa and tangy lemonade.

Partake Brewing launches non-alcoholic beer Hefeweizen

Canadian non-alcoholic beer brand Partake Brewing has launched a limited edition Hefeweizen beer in the US and Canada.

At only 15 calories, this non-alcoholic varietal is brewed with the lowest calorie method possible, boasting one of the lowest on the market.

Ted Fleming, Founder and CEO of Partake Brewing said, "Hefeweizen is our first beer innovation in 2023 and is a totally new style to add to our portfolio that our drinkers haven’t experienced before from Partake. It’s a brew perfect to enjoy with the changing seasons and warmer weather and sunshine."

Partake Hefeweizen has a ‘crisp but low-level hop bitterness and the traditional flavor profile of banana and clove’. It joins a portfolio of beers between 10-30 calories which include IPA, Pale, Hazy IPA, Blonde, Peach Gose, Red, Dark and Oktoberfest.

RTD wellness coffee

Start-up Rokit Health is launching a range of three wellness coffees in a RTD canned format, available on Amazon and Rokit Health with an RRP of £2.75.  

The company claims a first for the UK market with the new launches, which follow its rebrand earlier this year.

“With Rokit’s vitamin, mineral and botanicals enriched coffees previously only available in pod format, the range of on-the-go drinks is set to tap into health-conscious consumers looking for convenient coffee options without compromising on taste and health,” says the brand.

“Available in three varieties – Mind Boost, Immunity Boost and Energy Uplift – each serve uses premium cold brew coffee combined with oat milk, and is enriched with vitamins and minerals, in recyclable aluminium cans.”

Patron El Cielo tequila

Super-premium tequila Patron has launched Patron El Cielo globally: ‘the ultimate innovation in silver tequila’.

Patron El Cielo is ‘the first four-times distilled prestige tequila on the market, which unlocks the natural sweet flavors of agave delivering an incomparable taste with a bright, fresh and radiantly smooth finish’, according to brand owner Bacardi.

Made with weber blue agave, water and yeast, the spirit is the result of a unique distillation process.

"For the first-time ever, we developed a prestige tequila with a fourth distillation—a process that is extremely rare within the industry—using the smallest copper pot still at Hacienda Patron. While adding another stage of distillation is commonly misconceived as a culprit for diluting flavor, that was not the case for Patron El Cielo," said David Rodriguez, Patron Master Distiller.

"At Patron, our goal is to achieve perfection in every drop—by using this unique, four-time distillation process, we unlocked and opened up the natural sweetness and smoothness from the agave to deliver an incredibly sweet and light tasting, smooth tequila."

The tequila is packaged in a sleek glass bottle outfitted with gold designs inspired by the volcanic tahona stone used to produce Patron Tequila, with other elements inspired by the agave fields and light found within the homeland of Patron —the Jalisco Highlands of Mexico.

Patron El Cielo is available globally and in markets across the US at SRP $129.

Sneak Energy: Caffeine-free hydration drink

Sneak Energy – a brand popular with the gamer community – is launching a hydrating power drink.

The drink contains CocoMineral Coconut Water, electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, zinc, potassium) and organic ashwagandha KSM-66.

“Boosted by nootropics and vitamins instead of caffeine, this zero-sugar powder provides a boost of energy without the need for excessive sugar or stimulants, by helping to contribute to reduced fatigue, increase focus and improved cognitive function,” explains the brand.

“Perfect to drink any time of the day, Sneak Hydrate has been formulated to help you focus and stay hydrated, all while having the same great taste Sneak fans know and love.”

Sneak Energy comes in raspberry lemonade, electric mango and cherry bomb flavors. It launches in the UK at £27 per tub (210g / 30g servings at 7g each); followed by the US and EU in mid-June.