What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Hard Mtn Dew Baja Blast variety pack
Hard Mtn Dew is releasing a new, limited edition variety 12-pack featuring Hard Mtn Dew Baja Blast alongside three new versions of Baja Blast: Baja Blast Pineapple; Baja Blast Mango and Baja Blast Punch.
Debuting in 2021, Hard Mtn Dew is a partnership between PepsiCo and Boston Beer to bring ‘the big citrus flavor fans of the soft drink know and love, now with a hard kick of alcohol’ at 5% ABV.
The Baja Blast Variety Pack is available now where Hard Mtn Dew is currently available: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Neil Patrick Harris' espresso martini
Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits (a US canned and bottled craft cocktail company) alongside actor, producer, & cocktail enthusiast Neil Patrick Harris, have announced their new cocktail: The After Hours Espresso Martini.
Best served shaken cold with ice, The After Hours Espresso Martini is an ‘elevated and smooth caffeinated cocktail, bursting with aromas of Arabica and extra dark roast espresso beans, hints of vanilla and rich dark chocolate’.
“The After Hours Espresso Martini is sustainably produced in the United States with all natural, premium craft vodka and rich flavors of espresso at 12% ABV. It is also kosher certified and gluten free,” explains the brand.
The drink can be purchased via Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits, Total Wine & More, BevMo locations and other liquor stores across the US. Thomas Ashbourne has an average SRP of $13.99 per 375ml bottle and $19.99 for a four pack of 200 mL cans.
Launched in 2022, the ‘ready-to-sip’ brand also produces The Perfect Cosmo by SJP from Sarah Jessica Parker; The Margalicious Margarita created by Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson and Ashley Benson as well as The Hardscatto from Playboi Carti and house cocktail, The Classic Old Fashioned.
Rozél Rosé Vodka
ICB Ltd, a UK alcoholic drinks producer, has launched Rozél Rosé Vodka.
This new addition to the portfolio is a ‘luxurious, premium flavored vodka inspired by the delicate fruity flavors of a classic Provence rosé wine’.
Rozél’s ribbed bottle, created in partnership with Allied Glass, takes inspiration from premium wine brands. The drink is designed to attract rosé lovers into the vodka category, which is forecast to grow by almost 70% from 2020 to 2024 (IWSR).
“Rozél Rosé Vodka is set to add some excitement to the growing market with innovation in flavor pushing vodka back into the limelight,” says the brand. “With delicate flavors of raspberry, white peach and pink grapefruit, ICB Ltd has created a unique and refreshing drinking experience in Rozél, with its lush pink colour and fresh, fruity notes, ICB hope the drink is set to be the perfect beverage for any drinking occasion this summer.”
Rozél is available via Amazon at £26 for 70cl.
Oat brown sugar flavored creamer
US plant-based coffee creamer brand nutpods has announced a new flavor: oat brown sugar.
The creamer comes in at 10 calories and zero grams of sugar per serving. Founded by Madeline Haydon ten years ago, the creamer brand claims a ‘cult following for creative dairy-free and zero-sugar creamers and barista oat milk options for your morning cup of joe’.
nutpods Chief Marketing Officer Patrick Coyle said: “Until this launch, all of our oat creamers have been unsweetened, but we knew brown sugar would be the perfect flavor to expand oat into our zero-sugar sweetened line. If you want all the delicious oat brown sugar flavor and none of the sugar, you now have that option.”
Tropical fruit sparkling water
Waterloo Sparkling Water has released its newest flavor, Tropical Fruit, a ‘bright, nostalgic and uniquely refreshing’ limited time only offer in the US.
Meanwhile, the brand is bringing back Summer Berry as a year-round flavor.
“The inspiration for the brand's all-new Tropical Fruit flavor was "big summer fun" – crashing waves and outdoor adventures under the hot summer sun,” explains the brand.
“Waterloo flavor artists started with blood orange for sweetness, layered on pineapple to lift the flavor, and added juicy mango for a riper, nuanced tropical taste.
“After iterating 75+ times and rounding out the profile with hints of other exotic fruits, the Innovation Team arrived at their final destination – a bright, nostalgic and uniquely refreshing medley perfect for summer fun anywhere. Waterloo's Tropical Fruit can be enjoyed straight from a chilled can, in a mocktail or cocktail -- and in a Tropical Fruit Bar dessert recipe crafted in collaboration with celebrity chef Curtis Stone.”
New pre-mixed drinks
Mix Up – Kingsland Drinks Group’s range of RTD premium spirit-based pre-mixed drinks – has introduced three new SKUs for the UK summer: Mix Up Coffee Rum & Cola, Pink Gin & Diet Lemonade and Apple Rum, Lime & Ginger Ale.
“The new SKUs tap into established and emerging flavor trends in cocktails and RTDs,” says the brand. “Coffee is now one of the biggest growing segments in the beverage industry and total rum sales now amount to 13% share of the overall spirits category.
"As consumers seek out more diverse flavours, Mix Up’s NPD provides retailers with an opportunity to appeal to a broader audience and attract younger shoppers to the sector with popular and up and coming drinks.”
The brand is also building its retail footprint with listings in selected Morrison’s stores across the UK, and Tesco stores in the UK and ROI this summer.
The range also includes Gin & Tonic, Gin & Diet Tonic, Pink Gin & Tonic, Vodka Lime & Lemonade and Pink Gin & Diet Lemonade.
