What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches - from functional soda to tequila

22-Apr-2024 - Last updated on 22-Apr-2024 at 13:16 GMT

From functional soda flavors to tequila NPD, we take a look at some of the latest innovations in the beverage world.

Fhirst goes summery with lemon lime

UK functional drinks brand Fhirst has added a new lemon lime variant (above) to its gut range of all-natural, zero sugar living sodas.

The Lemon Lime variant brings together revitalising lemon and zingy lime, offering a healthier alternative to current lemon lime soft drinks on the market – as well as helping Fhirst maximize summer sales opportunities.

Lemon Lime joins Fhirst’s launch trio - Cherry Vanilla, Ginger Mandarin and Passion Fruit – and is available with a RRP £2.20/330ml can.

The brand’s mission is to deliver ‘great-tasting, guilt free sodas that support gut, immune and brain health’, and is the only functional soda globally to contain both probiotics and prebiotics. Each can delivers a combination of 2 billion living probiotic cultures, 5g prebiotic plant fibre, and added zinc, with no added sugars or sweeteners, and just 6kcals.

Premium canned cocktails

Global Brands – the UK company behind VK, Hooch and Franklin & Sons – has announced a new premium range of 8.4% ABV cocktails called ‘be.’

The new range responds to 21% yoy growth in RTD cocktails, and is launching across 300 ASDA stores across the UK.

be. comes in four initial flavors - Passion Fruit Martini, Strawberry Daiquiri, both nitro infused for a smooth, velvety texture, alongside a sparkling Paloma and pre-shaken Margarita (catering to a growing appetite for tequila-based cocktails).

Marketing Director at Global Brands, Matthew Bulcroft said: “Customers are not just looking for convenience when it comes to purchasing RTD products, they are also seeking quality and value. That is why we’ve utilised high-quality alongside vibrant packaging and tactile finishes, creating both a delicious taste and visual allure for consumers whether they're enjoying them at home or on the move.”

be. canned cocktails are 8.4% ABV with a RRP of £3 per 200ml can.

Sparkling Raspberry Rosé

Mingle Mocktails, a US female-founded line of clean-crafted sparkling mocktails, has unveiled its latest flavor: Sparkling Raspberry Rosé.

The new flavor, characterized by raspberry notes and a crisp, dry finish, offers a non-alcoholic rosé option with 35% less sugar than a traditional 4oz rosé, according to the company.

Mingle’s Sparkling Raspberry Rosé is available in a 4 pack of 12oz cans with an SRP of $13.99. This new flavor is currently available online from Mingle Mocktails and in stores at Total Wine & More at all 262 locations.

Chinola Mango

Chinola Fresh Fruit Liqueurs has launched a new flavor – Chinola Mango – made with 100% fresh mango juice and a hint of passion fruit.

Chinola Mango Liqueur launches in 22 US markets this month, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.

The new launch comes as the company sees continued double-digit growth as it shares the tropical flavors of the Dominican Republic (where the drinks are made).

Chinola Mango Liqueur is made with eco-friendly practices and contains 100% fresh mango and a hint of passion fruit, with no artificial colors or flavors. The liqueur is made from a custom blend of mangoes grown in the Dominican Republic which includes Banilejo, Keitt, and Kent varieties.

The liqueur can be appreciated on its own or mixes well with spirits such as tequila, vodka, sparkling wine and more.

Premium liqueurs

Giffard Liqueurs & Syrups has added two new liqueurs to its premium collection: Giffard Café du Honduras Liqueur and Giffard Mangue Liqueur.

Giffard Café du Honduras features Single Origin Arabica coffee beans sourced from organic cooperatives in Honduras' mountainous terrains. These beans are expertly roasted in France by Café Bonnac, a traditional artisan roaster from the Auvergne region with more than a century of expertise. This premium liqueur, inspired by the “cold brew” technique, exudes warm, rich, and toasted notes that will captivate coffee enthusiasts.

Giffard Mangue is crafted from the succulent flesh of Kent Mangoes from South America, offering a departure from the typical use of juice or puree found in most mango liqueurs. A brief maceration process of several weeks in neutral alcohol allows this liqueur to retain the natural flavor and vibrant color of mangoes, ensuring a quality product that enhances the texture and taste of cocktails.

“As a company deeply rooted in tradition, quality, and innovation, we’re thrilled to present our new Giffard Café du Honduras Liqueur and Giffard Mangue Liqueur,” said Edith Giffard, who is the 4th generation of the French company. “The bold flavors found in these liqueurs represent our ongoing commitment to crafting unique and exceptional flavors that captivate the senses and inspire creativity in the world of bartending.”

Giffard Café du Honduras (25% ABV) and Giffard Mangue (20% ABV) Liqueurs are available at liquor stores and bars across the US with an SRP of $39.99 and $34.99, respectively.

New mezcal brand

Zacal, a new independent mezcal brand born from the wild spirit of Michoacán, Mexico, debuts in the UK this month.

Zacal's two expressions, Ensamble (RRP £95, 50% ABV) and Manso Sahauyo (RRP £65, 45% ABV), are crafted from the region’s unique agave varietals and volcanic terroir, offering a fresh take on the familiar and inviting exploration of the lesser known region.

Zacal is an artisanal mezcal launched by four friends with a passion for the spirit in partnership with third-generation Mezcalero, Milton Ochoa. It is hand-distilled from organically-produced magueys - Bruto and Manso - and roasted with local volcanic rock in an underground oven at the family-run Vinata. It is less smoky than many mezcals, with other flavors amplified as a result.

Available for both the on-and-off-trade, Zacal will also focus on D2C channels, using the founders’ experience working in start-ups and tech.

The brand’s co-founders include Phil Clayton, Head of B2B at Meta; Andrew Maidment, former Wines of Argentina Europe director and advisor to Gaucho Restaurants; Ian McCaig, founder of leading fitness app, Fiit and Cri Osborne, former bartender and founder of start-up Front Foot.

Matcha Clarity and Rose Glow

Goldthread Tonics, a California brand of natural, RTD beverages, will release the newly reformulated flavors of the fan-favorite Matcha Clarity (previously the Japanese Matcha) and the Rose Glow (previously the Honey Rose) this summer.

Goldthread's refreshing, craft-brewed drinks are expertly formulated with ‘the highest potency ingredients from around the world, full of medicinal plants, adaptogens, and phytonutrients to support optimal wellbeing.’

Made with Ceremonial Grade Matcha, the Matcha Clarity Tonic facilitates a ‘calm, focused energy lift and heightened mental clarity’. Goldthread’s matcha is responsibly sourced from generational family farms in the hills of Shizuoka, Japan and combined with chlorophyll and fresh-squeezed lime juice for a smooth, easy-to-drink, energy-boosting blend without the jitters and crash of coffee.

Meanwhile, Goldthread Tonics Rose Glow is made with rooibos leaf, blended with antioxidant-rich rose, goji, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and dragon fruit in a juicy and refreshing oasis of phytonutrients, minerals, and trace elements.

Goldthread Tonic’s Matcha Clarity and Rose Glow 10.5oz bottles will be available to purchase in select retailers throughout the US and online via the brand in a pack of six for $30 SRP.