What's hitting the shelves? New product launches
Bombay Bramble
Bombay Sapphire has launched Bombay Bramble in the US: a new gin ‘bursting with natural berry flavors’.
It is the brand’s first new expression in 10 years, following the launch of Bombay Sapphire East in 2011.
“Bombay Sapphire continues to challenge conventional techniques with the launch of Bombay Bramble, pushing the boundaries of flavor and color by marrying the brand’s vapor distilled gin with real fruit infusion,” says the company.
“With a distinct crimson color and rich berry flavor, the essence of fresh blackberries and raspberries harvested at their ripest moment shines through and is perfectly balanced with the bright juniper notes of the gin.
“The launch comes just in time for summer as the pink and infused gin craze makes its way stateside from Bombay Sapphire’s home in the UK. Bombay Bramble is best served with equal parts soda and tonic for a lighter take on a G&T for summer, bursting with ripe berry flavor.”
Minus 196
Beam Suntory is launching Japan’s best-selling RTD, minus 196, in Australia.
The drink will become available in its Double Lemon flavor in Australia this June.
“The very name -196 speaks to the intense production process of the product," says Beam Suntory. "Remember when you witnessed the explosion of liquid nitrogen in science class at school? Beam Suntory uses exactly that technique; a whole lemon frozen in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of (you guessed it) -196°C, then pulverized and soaked in alcohol – creating an extreme lemon drink.
“The premix blend is made from shochu, vodka, soda, and lemon, and uses Suntory’s unique Freeze Crush Infusion Technology that freezes and crushes real fruit to capture every bit of all-natural lemon flavor.”
The 6% ABV drink contains 0.3 grams of sugar and 122 calories per can.
“Aussies who’ve travelled to Japan show a genuine love for one of its biggest and fastest-growing RTD brands and cult-favourites ‘-196°c Strong Zero’, and we know that the love will be fulfilled by -196 Double Lemon. We also foresee growth via newcomers to the Japanese-style premix category with the launch of this popular drink,” says Beam Suntory Director of Innovation, Kay Oh.
Naked Indulgent
PepsiCo’s juice and smoothie brand has launched its latest product: Indulgent Protein.
Available in the US, the smoothie contains 30g of plant protein, and is non-GMO project certified, vegan, free form preservatives and a source of iron.
It comes in two flavors: rich chocolate protein and velvety vanilla protein.
A 15.2 oz bottle has a SRP of $3.19 and can be found in Target, Costco, Stop & Shop, Kroger, Meijer and Hy-Vee.
Magic Ratio
In the UK, Huddersfield-based craft brewery Magic Rock (Lion) and Glaswegian brewers Brewgooder have collaborated to produce a new beer named Magic Ratio.
“Magic Ratio is a heavily hopped brew that blends Simcoe, Galaxy, Citra and Vic Secret hops to emphasise the passionfruit character,” explain the breweries. “The session IPA hits the taste buds with sharp and sweet citrus notes that are topped with juicy tropical fruit flavours.”
The new beer aims to support and drive awareness of the mission to deliver clean water projects around the world. Brewgooder has pledged to produce 1 billion pints of clean water over the next three years as part of its new partnership with Charity: Water; an organization committed to solving the global water crisis.
The 4.1% ABV passionfruit session IPA will hit more than 200 Co-op shelves this month, available in a 330ml canned format with an RRP of £1.80.
Press hard seltzer
Press has launched a new Select Variety Pack for its 4% ABV canned hard seltzers: which feature the following flavors:
- Pear Chamomile- ‘Wonderfully crisp with a delicate sweet unique vanilla-like flavor and soothing chamomile’
- Lingonberry Elderflower- ‘Refreshing tartness of lingonberries with a touch of slightly sweet yet crisp, palate-cleansing floral flavor’
- Pineapple Basil - ‘Vibrant, tropical fruit flavor is punctuated by the aromatic and herbal tones of garden-fresh basil.’
- Apple Cinnamon- ‘Bright juicy fruit comes together with a lively spice in a modern twist on a classic flavor’
DrinkWell IPA
DrinkWell, a specialist retailer for UK low calorie alcoholic drinks, has launched its own IPA to spearhead its lower calorie and carbs beer portfolio.
DrinkWell IPA is a classically brewed IPA at 4.1% ABV which contains 99 calories and 3g carbohydrates per 330ml bottle It is brewed with Zeus and Apollo hops; and is suitable for gluten-free and vegan diets.
Tom Bell, Founder & MD of DrinkWell commented: “We are seeing an increasing consumer shift towards different dietary needs and healthier lifestyles but that doesn’t mean that craft beer lovers have to sacrifice taste. DrinkWell IPA is brewed In Britain to give a full flavoured beer that can be enjoyed by everyone, including those looking to consume fewer calories and fewer carbohydrates.
“DrinkWell IPA has a hoppy bitterness and is exceptionally smooth due to its reduced carbonation. It has buckets full of flavour, including tropical & citrus fruits, and a lingering bitterness with malt undertones.”
Brewed with Zeus and Apollo hops, DrinkWell IPA is the first IPA with reduced calorie and carb content ever produced in the UK. The bottle label features the Greek god Heracles, the son of Zeus and, arguably, the greatest of all Greek Gods famed for completing a cycle of 12 heroic labours.
Alcohol-free toffee cider
Brothers Cider has launched Toffee Apple Alcohol Free cider in the UK.
“The launch marks the English premium cider producer’s entry into the burgeoning alcohol-free category, as awareness amongst consumers continues to grow, with 43% now aware of alcohol-free cider compared to 32% in 2020,” explains the Somerset-based company. “As the best-known Brothers' flavor, Toffee Apple is in significant growth with sales increasing by over 50% compared to last year, it is the first of its innovative portfolio, to be made available as an alcohol-free version.”
The new 0.0% ABV variety is gluten free and vegan friendly, and will be available in 500ml bottles via Morrisons, independent retailers and online.
The new Toffee Apple Alcohol Free comes shortly after the launch of Pink Grapefruit, Honeycomb and Cloudy Lemon in March, joining Brothers Cider’s wider portfolio of ten variants.
Fentimans caters for long drinks
Premium drinks brand Fentimans is launching a new range of 200ml mixers and tonics in the UK.
It is a move away from the company’s classic 125ml serve, which has anchored the mixer range over the last decade, with Fentimans eying up the growing popularity of long mixed drinks served in a goblet glass. The 125ml range will be gradually phased out of the market.
“The new 200ml mixer range, which includes Tonic Water, alongside iconic Ginger Beer and Rose Lemonade, will continue to be made using Fentimans’ unique 100 year old artisanal technique, botanical brewing: a multi-stage process of infusion, fermentation, resting and blending of finely sourced botanicals over 7 days, to create a mixer with a depth of flavour that when paired with spirits, creates a superior tasting long mixed drink," says the company.
"The range will also include Fentimans’ versatile range of coloured and flavored tonics, suitable for pairing with a broad range of spirit categories."
PepsiCo’s Soulboost
PepsiCo has launched Soulboost, a new functional sparkling water brand infused with ingredients L-theanine and panax ginseng, targeting wellness-focused consumers and the $11.3bn global enhanced water category.
Available in four flavor profiles with 10 to 20 calories per 12-ounce can ($2.99 per can), Soulboost products are infused with either 200 mg of panax ginseng (found in its 'Lift' flavors of blueberry pomegranate and black cherry citrus) or 200 mg of L-theanine in its 'Ease' offering (blackberry passionfruit and strawberry rose).
"Our world-class Research & Development team developed soulboost by pinpointing desirable functional ingredients L-theanine and panax ginseng and adding them into great-tasting sparkling water beverages to help people truly feel the moment, whether they need to support mental stamina to make it through a busy day or a moment of relaxation to help unwind—or both," said Danielle Barbaro, Vice President, R&D at PepsiCo Beverages North America.
Soulboost is available in the US via e-commerce and in select natural retailers.
