What's hitting the shelves? New product launches in November
Belvoir launches wine alternative
Cordial, pressé and fruit crush company Belvoir Fruit Farms has developed a wine alternative range, intended to mimic the sensation of drinking wine but without the alcohol.
Belvoir Shiraz, Belvoir Chardonnay and Belvoir Rosé (pictured as the main image in this article) are made with natural ingredients, without artificial additives, preservatives, colorings, sweeteners or added sugar.
Pev Manners, MD, Belvoir Fruit Farms, said, “These drinks have been developed to actually emulate the texture and sensation of drinking wine. We have used our expertise in blending fruit juices to recreate the pleasures of consuming wine, but minus the associated sore head!
“We think that as more people adopt a healthier lifestyle the demand for drinks like these will grow.”
Shiraz and Rose are currently available exclusively at Tesco in the UK. The range and availability will widen in March 2017. The drinks retail at around £2.99 a bottle.
Protein powered by plants
Koia, a 100% plant-based protein drink, has launched exclusively at Whole Foods Market nationwide in the US.
There are three flavors: Vanilla Bean, Cacao Bean and Coconut Almond. Each beverage retails for $5.99 and can be found in the refrigerated section.
Koia says it delivers an ‘unrivaled 5-to-1 ratio of plant protein to sugar content’, with natural ingredients that are soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
A 12-ounce serving of Koia contains 16-18 grams of plant-based protein and 5-8 grams of natural fiber. The beverage is positioned as an ideal meal accompaniment, post workout beverage or healthy snack.
“A proprietary blend of rice, pea and hemp proteins are at the heart of Koia's recipe, helping to create a smooth, craveable texture in a chilled, grab-and-go beverage,” said co founder Dustin Baker.
“The line stands apart from other functional beverages by significantly trimming excess sugars and calories in favor of simple, plant-based ingredients.”
Milder alcoholic drinks in South Korea
Diageo Korea has launched a lower alcohol Scotch whisky in South Korea, seeing demand for milder alcoholic drinks in the country.
W Signature by Windsor is aged for 17 years and has an ABV of 35%. It comes in a 450ml burgundy colored bottle, retailing at 40,700 won ($34.74).
W Signature follows the releases of W Ice and W Rare last year.
Indian RTD coffee
Nestlé India has launched three Nescafé RTD flavors, which it says have been ‘customized specifically for the Indian palate’: chilled latté; hazelnut; and intense café.
The drinks are priced at Rs 30 ($0.44) for each 180ml Tetra Pak pack, and each flavor will be available across the country, both in-store as well as on e-commerce platforms.
Nestlé India says: “Thick, milky, and flavorful, Nescafé Chilled Latté captures the taste of the perfect Indian cold coffee.”
Battery Energy Drinks
Battery Energy Drinks, a beverage portfolio from Finland, has launched in the UK this month.
Products include original, no cal, isotonic energy water (lime/orange/pineapple) and isotonic energy water lemon.
Battery Energy Drinks are manufactured by Sinebrychoff, part of the Carlsberg Group, and are available in 20 countries.
Gingerbread iced coffee
Jimmy’s Iced Coffee, a UK ready-to-drink iced coffee brand, has brought its Christmas themed gingerbread flavor back for the festive season.
The limited edition coffee is available in Tesco, Waitrose, BP and Selfridges in a 330ml carton and RRP of £1.59.
Jimmy’s Iced Coffee’s other flavors are Original, Skinny and Mocha.
Sophisticated botanical hard soda
Garden Party Botanical has launched a new line of premium hard sodas, appealing to the ‘sophisticated adult who desires refreshment that promises a more artful drinking experience’.
The beverages use natural ingredients with cane sugar and are free from artificial flavors and colors.
With an ABV of 8%, the two flavors are Botanical Ruby (spicy ginger hard soda infused with hibiscus and pomegranate) and Botanical Violet (crisp lemon hard soda infused with lavender and blackberry).
The beverages are available in the Indianapolis, Central and Southern Indiana markets.
Erin Edds, Co-Founder and CEO, said: “I created Garden Party Botanical as a fun, sophisticated bridge between craft beer, wine and spirits.” Two more flavors, Peaches and June, will be launched in spring 2017.
Pure Black, Sweet Dreams, Amsterdam
Le Herbe, a US company with ultra-premium cannabis beverages, has added new flavors to its cold brew coffee line.
It now offers three flavors: Pure Black (an unsweetened blend of certified organic coffee beans, 10 mg of sun-grown cannabis, and purified water); Sweet Dreams (sweetened condensed coconut milk, coffee beans with caramel and vanilla notes); and ‘Amsterdam’ (stronger and with a special blend of spices).
“All-natural cannabis beverages are growing exponentially as consumers prefer a healthy alternative to smoking, vaping, and unhealthy edible products in states that have legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational-use,” said Le Herbe.
“Even though the bulk of current edible products sold are junk food, this fad will soon subside once you look at the science of cannabis and the mere fact consumers prefer drinking a healthy beverage daily rather than eating sugar filled cookies, candy, and gummy bears.”
Scandinavian inspiration
R.W. Knudsen Family has launched a new flavor for its ‘Celebratory’ beverage portfolio.
Sparkling Glogg is inspired by a traditional Scandinavian beverage, with a blend of apple, white grape and lemon juice concentrates with brewed extracts of ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom.
Sparkling Glogg is free from artificial flavors or preservatives and is Non-GMO Project Verified.
It is available in a 24.5 oz. glass bottle with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of 2 for $5.00.
Other beverages in the portfolio include Caramel Apple, Cider & Spice, Pumpkin Spice and Sparkling Blueberry.
