What's hitting the shelves? New product launches
Flying Fish hard seltzer
Flying Fish has launched a hard seltzer in South Africa: hoping to pioneer the category in the country.
The 5.5% ABV drink (pictured above) comes in 300ml slim cans in two flavors: lemon and lime; and raspberry.
"Flying Fish created South Africa’s first flavored beer and true to its nature of challenging convention and norms, is officially launching Hard Seltzer in the country," says South African Breweries (a subsidiary of AB InBev).
"In true Flying Fish nature, the brand is once again challenging category stereotypes and building a new beverage category in South Africa with the launch of Flying Fish Seltzer.
"Made with the highest quality ingredients - water, alcohol, fine bubbles and a dash of fruit juice – this drink delivers superior refreshment for any occasion. With 0.5g sugar/100ml and 35 calories/100ml, Flying Fish Seltzer is a light and easy-drinking beverage with great fruity taste and real refreshment."
Set to hit shelves by April 2021, Flying Fish Seltzer will be available to purchase at selected Pick ‘n Pay Liquor stores nationwide and online on the Pick ‘n Pay portal or through Bottles.
Flow vitamin-infused spring water
Flow Alkaline Spring Water has launched a vitamin-infused variety.
As with all Flow-branded water products, the three flavors or citrus, cherry and elderberry are formulated with no sugar or juice added and are gluten-free and organic.
“Made with 8 important vitamins and minerals- an excellent source of B Complex and Zinc and 160% recommended daily value of Vitamin C, Flow Vitamin-Infused Water is here to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle,” says the brand.
“The vitamin B complex offers multi-functionality: B1 supports energy metabolism; B3 and B6 are recognized for anti-inflammatory properties and immune response; B5 supports immunity function; and, B7 is recognized for immunity support and anti-inflammatory properties. Zinc supports immune function and is beneficial for wound healing. Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant and supports immune function.”
The beverage is available for pre-order online and will launch in the US in Sprouts Farmers Market in mid-April.
Perrier energy beverage
Perrier is launching its first-ever line of carbonated energy beverages with Perrier Energize.
The drink uses plant-based caffeine from green coffee and yerba mate extracts, containing around the same amount of caffeine as an 8oz cup of coffee.
Perrier Energize is certified organic, low-calorie, and has no artificial sweeteners.
It comes in three flavors: pomegranate, grapefruit and tangerine.
The beverage is available on Amazon and will launch in Target in April 2021.
RTD protein shakes
Premier Protein is expanding its line of RTD Protein Shakes with Oats with the launch of a new flavor, Chocolate Hazelnut. The new flavor, which launched online last month, will roll out on store shelves in the US over the next few months.
“Packed with 20g of protein, 8g of whole grain oats and 7g of fiber that will help to keep you full longer, Premier Protein Shakes with Oats is the brand’s first ready to drink protein shake intended to be enjoyed hot or cold,” says the brand.
“You can enjoy straight from the container cold or pour it into a microwave safe container and heat it up.
"With 150 calories and 1g of sugar, Chocolate Hazelnut is the perfect way to enjoy the rich, indulgent flavor of an industry favorite flavor - chocolate hazelnut— with 24 vitamins & minerals.”
Mude launches in the US
The Naked Collective will launch its Mude range of healthy drinks in the US and Canada through a partnership with Acosta.
The sparkling functional natural beverages contain no added sugar and a clean label ethos means fewer, simpler ingredients from natural sources, all of which are key to a new generation of consumers who want to protect both the planet and their bodies. Each drink is designed to support the immune system as well as being targeted for different moods.
The drinks are non GMO, vegan, with no preservatives, no sweeteners and no stabilisers.
The Naked Collective is an Irish start up healthy drinks company who launched in their home market in 2020 and also has distribution deals in the UK & Italy. It is carbon neutral and has committed to becoming a regenerative business by the end of 2021.
A recent survey carried out in the US of 3,000 people found that 1 in 3 millennials and Generation Z had reduced their alcohol consumption as a result of Covid by November 2020 and this has now risen to 1 in 2 just last month in February. They also found that 2 in 3 people are looking for drinks that support immune health as a direct result of the pandemic.
The Naked Collective’s CEO Niall Phelan said: “Our ethos is to be socially and personally responsible for our environment, our planet and our community. Giving people honest healthy choices in the soft drinks fridge is key to this. Acosta’s reach across North America and beyond is a game changer for us as we raise awareness of our carbon neutral healthy natural drinks and take on the battle to educate people about unhealthy sugar-based drinks. We want to lead by example in the soft drinks industry in the fight to save our planet.”
Lemon Gin Soda
Canadian lower alcohol premium gin soda brand Good Sunday has launched a new flavor: Lemon Gin Soda.
The drink is crafted using a combination of local Ontario gin, real lemon juice and fresh carbonated water, coming in at 100 calories, 1g of sugar and 3% ABV.
The new SKU will be going live this spring in Ontario and British Columbia, with plans to expand further across Canada.
Famous Cola
Australia’s Famous Soda Co has launched a new line: Famous Cola.
The beverage is Australian-made, uses 100% natural ingredients, has less than 1% caffeine and comes in at 8 calories per bottle.
Michael Pillon, CEO, Famous Soda Co says: “We heard our customers and we answered. Sometimes you just need, even crave, that refreshing taste of cola—so we set out to make a better-for-you version that’s a healthier, natural, zero sugar alternative.
"Heaps of hours and a lot of love went into getting this just right.
“The flavor profile is quite unique, bursting with tiny bubbles of vanilla and cinnamon that delivers the natural sweetness that’s expected from a great cola. And there’s an extra zing with overtones of citrus oil, ginger, and cassia.
"Together they create an unforgettable flavor celebration.”
Famous Cola joins pink lemonade, passionfruit, blood orange, lemon and ginger beer.
New AHA flavors
Coca-Cola’s AHA sparkling water has launched two new flavors: raspberry + acai and mango + black tea.
The new flavors combinations “offer bold aromatics without sodium or sweeteners and deliver on our commitment to offer uniquely delightful flavor-forward experiences,” says the brand. Mango + Black tea also contains 30mg of caffeine.
AHA Sparkling Water launched last year with flavors including strawberry + cucumber; blueberry + pomegranate; and peach + honey.
Ocean Spray Wave
Ocean Spray has made its first foray into the caffeinated sparkling water category with Wave, a sparkling beverage made with real fruit juice.
Wave comes in four flavors and contains 50mg of caffeine derived from black tea, real fruit juice, and has no added sugars, no artificial flavors or preservatives, and no artificial sweeteners.
The product was developed in less than a year and launches exclusively in Walmart.
“Ocean Spray Wave bridges the gap for consumers who want a lightly caffeinated option – with the convenience and flavor of soda – but without the added sugars,” said Kim McAllister, Director of Innovation at Ocean Spray. “We are excited to share yet another product that innovates and diversifies our line of drinks and snacks beyond the juice aisle.”
The new product comes in four flavors: Strawberry & Lemon, Mango & Passionfruit, Mandarin & Blackberry, and Cranberry & Pineapple.
The suggested retail price is $4.98 for an 8 pack.
Zaddy's canned cocktails
Zaddy’s, a new gin-based, low-alcohol, RTD canned cocktail company founded in the San Francisco Bay Area, is introducing three new drinks which are designed to ‘bridge the gap between hard seltzer and canned cocktail with the health conscious drinker in mind’.
Zaddy’s enters the market with three canned cocktails, now available in select stores for the suggested retail price of $11.99 for a four-pack and $2.99 a can or available for purchase in California through the website. Each 12-ounce can is only 100 calories, 4.5% ABV, gluten-free, contains no more than 3 grams of organic cane sugar and uses premium gin from Sonoma and fresh juice from California farms.
The drinks are now available throughout California and are being distributed by RNDC.
The Alkaline Water Company launches in Mexico
The Alkaline Water Company is launching its bottled waters in Mexico this month.
The US alkaline water company has partnered with Tiendas Sindicales, a superstore grocery chain and food service and vending service provider in the Mexican free trade zone.
Mexico has one of the largest consumption of bottled water per capita in the world; while Tiendas Sindicales has around six million customers a month.
“We believe this is a significant opportunity for us to “test the waters” in a major international market and that this expansion marks the beginning of our international brand presence,” said Richard Wright, President and CEO of The Alkaline Water Company Inc.
“This is our first step into Mexico and expect this will lead to additional opportunities in North America and other foreign jurisdictions. We continue to dominate the US supermarkets and expect similar results in the Mexican and other international markets. As with all our current customers, we expect to exceed Tiendas’ forecast as our friends in Mexico enjoy the smooth clean taste of Alkaline88.”
