Keeping up with the latest beverage innovations is vital to stay ahead in this fast-moving industry: providing inspiration to drive innovation and new ideas. Here's some of the launches on our radar this week.
Gin brand redesign
Australian gin brand Dasher + Fisher is debuting a refreshed look: with the new design paying homage to its deep Tasmanian roots (pictured above).
The entire range of Dasher + Fisher gins have been updated with an enhanced bottle, refreshed colors, and redesigned labels: ‘inspired by our past, driven by our future’.
The new range includes refreshed colors to reflect Tasmania’s natural beauty, deep blue of the sea, and lush green landscape of the mountains. The fruit gins also boast vibrant colors for the bright and bold flavors within. And the base of bottles uniquely features the map of Tasmania embossed into the glass, marking a tribute to the locally sourced ingredients.
The bottle’s new shape also features a longer neck, crafted to offer a more comfortable and balanced grip, making it easier to pour. Replacing the former screw top, the bottles now feature a wooden closure, further connecting the product to Tasmania’s natural elements.
Yakult Plus Peach
Yakult Plus Peach joins Yakult’s range of fermented milk drinks in the UK.
Each little bottle contains billions of friendly L.casei Shirota bacteria, scientifically proven to reach the gut alive and increase the bacteria in the gut.
It is rich in vitamin C, which supports immunity and helps lower fatigue.
It also contains fiber that feeds the gut bacteria.
Yakult Plus Peach is fat-free, suitable for vegetarians, gluten free and contains fewer calories and less sugar.
Yakult Plus Peach comes with a RRP of £3.70.
19 Crimes cans
Treasury Wine Estates’ 19 Crimes wine brand has announced the newest addition to its lineup: canned wine.
Rosé and chardonnay offerings now come in 187ml canned versions, suitable for summertime picnics in the park, festivals and outdoor get-togethers.
It’s a move which 19 Crimes hopes will make its wines even more accessible, following continued efforts to ‘oust wine snobbery and democratise the wine industry’.
Russell Kirkham, Head of Regional Marketing (EMEA) at Treasury Wine Estates, says that through the launch of its cans, the brand is aiming to “challenge the notion that quality wine has to come from a glass.”
To accompany the launch, 19 Crimes is also rolling out ‘The Whine List’: a critique of ‘stuffy traditions’ and concepts that can make wine drinking seem complicated and overwhelming for newcomers – such as looking for the ‘legs’ in wine, deciding between a cork or screw top, or worrying what temperature to serve wines at.
“With our new canned wines, 19 Crimes proves that you don't need a fancy bottle or the 'right' glass to enjoy great wine. Instead, drinkers should feel empowered to create their own set of rules for savoring wine — and not be afraid to break them,” said Russell.
Lightweight gin bottle
Brockmans Gin has launched a new, lightweight bottle – one of the lightest among the bestselling brands in the super premium gin segment.
The bottle weighs 500g and has 30% less glass weight than its competitors, according to the brand. The bottle also contains 51% post-consumer recycled glass content.
Glass manufacturing is among the most energy-intensive global industries and reducing the weight of glass bottles can save significant CO2 emissions in both manufacture and transport.
Brockmans believes its new bottle can set a benchmark in the industry, following the brand’s B Corp certification obtained in 2023.
Luxury vodka launch
Premium vodka Nemiroff has launched Nemiroff De Luxe in the Australian market.
The vodka is crafted from the lush wheat fields of Ukraine, purified waters and local natural ingredients; and undergoes a 11-stage natural filtration process.
"We are excited to bring Nemiroff De Luxe to Australia, a market that appreciates premium quality and craftsmanship," said Yuriy Sorochynskiy, CEO at Nemiroff. "Our vodka is a tribute to our rich heritage and the timeless traditions of vodka making, as well as embodying the ‘indomitable spirit’ that everyone has within them.
"We are confident that Australian consumers will embrace Nemiroff De Luxe as a new favorite in their premium spirits collection."
Nemiroff De Luxe is available at Dan Murphy’s for $62.99.
Fairtrade Caribbean rum
UK full-service drinks firm, Kingsland Drinks, has partnered with supermarket Co-op to launch the retailer’s first Fairtrade spirit: a Caribbean rum.
Kingsland Drinks is the biggest importer of Fairtrade wines in the UK and has worked with Co-op and Fairtrade teams to research and source a Bourbon Barrel Aged Fairtrade Rum, which is a Caribbean blend from the Dominican Republic, Barbados and Venezuela.
Andy Hoyle, Spirits Buyer for Kingsland Drinks, said: “Fairtrade Spirits was a new playing field for both parties so we tasked ourselves with learning more about the category and, after extensive research and working closely with our global spirits supply partners and our friends at the Fairtrade Foundation, we sourced the Bourbon Barrel Aged Fairtrade Rum from the Caribbean and are proud to bring to market a spirit that not only meets the quality shoppers expect from Co-op, but that also embodies something both companies have pioneered from the start; Fairtrade.
“It was great to be given the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Co-op buyers, sourcing and creating the new product with the assistance of our NPD lab.”
Kernza brew
Deschutes Brewery and Patagonia Provisions are launching two new certified organic brews using kernza, a carbon sequestering grain.
Kerna Lager and Non-Alcoholic Kernza Golden Brew hit shelves across the US in September.
With a mission to shift the brewing industry toward more responsible practices, Patagonia Provisions and Deschutes are aiming to expand the use of Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) and organic ingredients in beer.
These practices can enhance economic stability for farmers and reduce dependency on costly synthetic inputs, all the while rebuilding damaged soil.
Franklin & Sons cans
UK soft drink and mixer brand, Franklin & Sons, has introduced a sleek 250ml recycled aluminium can format, initially launching in three of its best-selling flavor SKUs.
The carbonated soft drinks are available to on/off trade and export markets in three flavors; Elderflower, Raspberry and Dandelion & Burdock, with an RRP of £12.99 for 12x250ml.
The launch comes as consumers look for on-the-go drink consumption, portability and formats for outdoor events in the summer months.
Lauren Edwards, Brand Manager at Franklin & Sons commented: “We’re thrilled to introduce our new 250ml cans, making our signature liquids even more accessible. They will genuinely offer a convenient yet premium solution for pubs and bars, as well as retail consumers for their on-the-go, summertime occasions.
“The range represents our dedication to providing premium, stylish and practical beverages, while providing a more sustainable and accessible solution to a wide range of on and off-trade stockists.”
