What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches: From cocktails to kefir
Our weekly round-up of beverage innovation is here to help inspire new ideas, flavors and formats...
Ethical spirits
UK mission-led ethical spirits producer, FAIR, has launched two new SKUs to its range of flavored liqueurs and spirits (pictured above).
Both take inspiration from traditional Mexican ingredients.
First up is the new Chipotle Liqueur, which gives a burst of smoke and spice, whilst the new Oaxaca Whiskey, distilled in Mexico from ancestral blue corn, launches on the increasingly popular world whisky stage.
Meanwhile, FAIR has also secured a new listing in Shoreditch, London hotspot, BIBO, where it will be featured in various cocktails.
For every cocktail sold using FIAR, £1 will be donated to the Fair Trade Foundation.
FAIR was founded in 2009, and since its conception the company’s ethos has been to create a spirit brand that has a positive impact on the planet and its people.
In practice, this means the brand is Fair Trade certified, adheres to over 200 standards associated with Fair Trade, and was the first spirits brand in the world to do so.
The company also donates 1% of revenue into community development funds that support the communities where ingredients are farmed and production takes place.
New kefir flavors
Lifeway Foods, a US supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products that support the microbiome, has released 10 new innovative flavors to its on-the-go 8-ounce line of organic kefir.
The entire line is lactose-free, as consumer demand for lactose-free dairy products is predicted to grow rapidly over the next five years, according to Future Market Insights.
Lifeway Foods has put the focus on unexpected flavor combinations – ‘many of these flavor combinations have never been seen before in the cultured dairy category’, says the company.
In addition to being lactose-free, the new Flavor Fusions line is loaded with high-quality bioavailable nutrients, like protein, calcium, and 12 live and active probiotic cultures.
The new flavors are: Pink Dragon Fruit, Passionfruit Lychee, Hot Honey, Guava Jackfruit, Coconut Pineapple, Pistachio Rose Vanilla, Grapefruit Elderflower, Wild Blueberry Lavender, Taro Ube Latte and Matcha Latte.
Lifeway Foods eyes up rising interest in unique, exotic, and unexpected flavor fusions, emerging preferences for tropical flavors, botanical notes, "swicy" flavor profiles (pairings of sweet and spicy), and trendy Asian-inspired flavors.
Gardener cocktail
Gardenista, a premium ready-to-serve cocktail made with vodka, tequila, or bourbon - along with a blend of garden flavors of herbs, fresh lime juice, ginger and a kick of jalapeño – has launched in the US.
Inspired by the mountains, the unique cocktail draws from the popular Gardener cocktail, originally featured at Matsuhisa in Aspen, Colorado.
Gardenista is designed to be shaken, poured or spritzed. One bottle serves five cocktails and is low-calorie with 98 calories per serving. Each variety of Gardenista is 15% ABV and features main flavors of ginger, jalapeño, lime, thyme and raw cane sugar.
Gardenista’s team consists of members such as Kevin Berg, Vince Parrinello and more; who have successfully launched various spirit brands such as Effen Vodka and have worked with Fortune 500 companies including Constellation, Coors, Bacardi and PepsiCo.
The founders were inspired by the cocktail at Matsuhisa, Aspen’s most exclusive Japanese restaurant. They decided to bottle up the garden flavors of green herbs and ginger, fresh lime juice, organic cane sugar and a kick of subtle heat from jalapeños with high-quality spirits.
Gardenista is available for purchase in Illinois, Tennessee, and Colorado for $14.99 - $16.99 and plans for a future national launch.
Nespresso moves into collagen
Nespresso has partnered with Vital Proteins to launch a Daily Wellness Pack: combining Nespresso coffee with Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides.
Nespresso hopes it can help wellness-focused consumers work simple rituals into their days. Three options are available:
· Nespresso & Vital Proteins Wellness Starter Pack ($99): 1 20oz. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, 3 Nespresso Melozio Sleeves, 1 Nespresso Travel Mug
· Nespresso & Vital Proteins Wellness Pack ($84.50): 1 20oz. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, 3 Nespresso Melozio sleeves
· Vertuo Pop+ & Vital Proteins Wellness Bundle ($169): 1 Vertuo Pop+ machine, 1 20oz. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, 2 Nespresso Melozio sleeves
“At Nespresso, we are constantly reimagining meaningful ways to elevate coffee moments,” said Jessica Padula, Vice President of Marketing and Sustainability at Nespresso USA. "As wellness-minded consumers continue to seek out intentional products that bring purpose to their routines, joining forces with Vital Proteins allows us to do just that.
“The values our brands share in quality and simplicity present the unique opportunity to tap into the trending morning ritual that combines coffee with the functionality of collagen, allowing people to get even more out of their coffee.”
Cool cans
Lithuania’s Kalnapilis brewery has launched a new range of light beers and beverages with a novel ‘coolness’ indicator that shows when the beverages are at the optimum drinking temperature.
A unique icon – printed onto the CANPACK cans with specialised THERMO ink – turns blue when the contents are suitably chilled for consumption.
This is used across the company’s ‘light’ beverage range, including the brewery’s tequila-flavored light beer (4% ABV).
Part of the Danish-based Royal Unibrew Group since 2002 and with market reach across most of Europe, Kalnapilis manufactures a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Marijus Valdas Kirstukas, CEO of Kalnapilis-Tauro grupė, says: "Every innovation we undertake is designed to meet the expectations of today's customer. The colour-changing coolness indicator on the labels helps consumers recognise when the drink is properly chilled for a better aroma and taste."
Kahula Chocolate Sips
Coffee liqueur brand Kahlúa is introducing Kahlúa Chocolate Sips: a limited edition offer and the brand’s first foray into the cream liqueur category.
Kahlúa Chocolate Sips are available in two flavors: Smooth Chocolate Flavor and White Chocolate Flavor.
Smooth Chocolate Flavor blends Kahlúa Rum & Coffee Liqueur with real cocoa to deliver a rich and velvety mouthfeel of chocolate flavor, while White Chocolate Flavor combines Kahlúa and real cream for a creamy drink experience with a balanced hint of coffee.
To celebrate the launch of Chocolate Sips, Kahlúa is teaming up with Whipshots, the vodka-infused whipped cream brand co-founded by American rapper Cardi B (Whipshots’ Mocha, Vanilla, Caramel and Peppermint flavors are the recommended pairings for Kahlúa Chocolate Sips).
Kahlúa Chocolate Sips has an ABV of 16% and can be enjoyed neat or over ice. It has a suggested retail price of $24.99 for a 750ml bottle.
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