What's hitting the shelves? New product launches

Sustainable cider

Heineken UK has launched a ‘sustainable apple cider’: aiming to grow the cider category by engaging younger consumers.

Inch’s is made from British apples, all grown and sourced within 40 miles of its Herefordshire mill. All apple waste is turned into green energy.

“Perfectly balanced between sweet and dry for a great tasting refreshment, Inch’s is a lightly sparkling, ‘medium apple cider’ with a delightful, fresh apple aroma. Inch’s is also gluten free and vegan friendly,” says Heineken UK.

The new cider is available in 500ml bottles, 4x440ml cans and 10x440ml cans.

Hell’s Hard Seltzer

Chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay has launched his hard seltzer, Hell’s Seltzer, in the US.

“Hell’s Seltzer features unapologetically bold flavors with premium drinkability, crafted by Gordon Ramsay,”​ says the brand. “Brew Pipeline along with their flavor consultants, Lift Bridge Brewing Company, worked with Gordon on the development of each drink. All four recipes are inspired by popular menu items from Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen restaurants across the US. Each flavor was tested and approved by the chef and reflects his knack for delivering recipes that put flavor first. Hell’s Seltzer is gluten-free and uses all-natural flavors.”​

Currently in 25 states, the 5.6% ABV Hell’s Seltzer will be sold nationwide by mid-summer. The four Hell’s Kitchen-inspired flavors are:

• Berry Inferno – peach, blueberry, raspberry
• Knicker Twist – passionfruit, pineapple, orange
• Mean Green – kiwi, lime, mint, pineapple
• That’s Forked – Key Lime, vanilla, graham

Bacardi canned cocktails

Bacardi Rum is expanding its range of canned cocktails with the launch of three new flavors and its first variety pack.

The new flavors are Bahama Mama, Mojito and Sunset Punch: which join last year’s launches of Lime & Soda, Lime & Lemonade, and Rum Punch.

“Perfect for hitting the beach, lounging in the park, or toting on a hike, Bacardi Real Rum Canned Cocktails are made with natural flavors, real ingredients, and no artificial sweeteners,”​ says Bacardi. “These convenient, gluten-free perfectly mixed ready-to-drink cocktails are expertly crafted with an award-winning base spirit of Bacardi Superior, as opposed to a malt base like many other canned beverage options on the market.​

“The tropical cocktails evoke a summer state of mind: Bahama Mama – boasting fruity notes of orange, red berries and pineapple; Mojito – a classic Bacardi cocktail combining zesty lime and revitalizing mint flavors; and Sunset Punch – with tangy blood orange, lemon and ginger flavor notes.”​

The 5.9% ABV cocktails are available in 355ml cans.

PepsiCo’s Gatorlyte

PepsiCo's sports drink Gatorade is rolling out its newest brand, Gatorlyte, featuring a five-electrolyte blend to promote ‘rapid rehydration’.

Gatorlyte joins PepsiCo's Gatorade portfolio of products geared towards athletes which includes the company's original Gatorade Thirst Quencher, G Zero (zero-sugar), G2 (lower sugar), Gatorade Juiced juiced-based sports drink, and G Endurance (2X the sodium and potassium of Gatorade Thirst Quencher). 

Where Gatorade Thirst Quencher features hydrating electrolytes sodium and potassium, Gatorlyte also has three additional electrolytes: magnesium, calcium, and chloride.

Available in three flavors (Cherry Lime, Orange and Strawberry Kiwi), Gatorlyte has 50 calories with 12g of added sugar per bottle.

Hard Yerba Mate

Positioning itself as the world’s first hard Yerba Mate brand, Kové has launched its debut potrolio of 5% ABV Hard Tea Seltzers ‘that harness the powerful qualities of Yerba Mate while paying respect to the spirit and traditions surrounding the South American beverage’.

Brewed and naturally fermented in San Diego, CA, the 5% ABV drink is made of organic ingredients (Yerba Mate, sugar cane, yeast, herbs, juices and spices) and is free from artificial flavors and colors. It is also gluten free, vegan friendly and low in caffeine (10mg or less).

The Hard Yerba Mate is available in 12 oz. cans, in flavors Passion Berry, Lemonade Iced-Tea, Mojito, and Mango Colada.

Kové was conceived in summer 2020 by Alex Montelbano (Chief Executive Officer), Ryder England (Chief Creative Officer), and Josh Makler (Chief Brewing Officer/Head brewer): representing the culmination of the founders’ experience working for innovative San Diego beverage companies, such as Juneshine Hard Kombucha and AleSmith Brewing Company.

"Kové Hard Yerba Mate was born from the desire to create a simple, transparent beverage with real ingredients and flavors, while amplifying the powerful qualities of Yerba Mate,”​ said Josh Makler, chief operations officer and head brewer. “Our combined backgrounds in alternative beverages helped us identify a gap in the market, and what consumers are trending towards. We are excited to introduce something new and innovative — light, flavorful and refreshing Hard Yerba Mate beverages.”​

Tropicana premium drinks

PepsiCo’s Tropicana has launched a new line of tropical premium drinks in the US.

“Whether you’re looking for the fruity taste of a piña colada poolside or a taste of the tropics from your front porch, Tropicana’s new island-inspired Premium Drinks – Piña Colada, Caribbean Sunset, Summer Berry Bliss, and Strawberry Kiwi Sunrise – are here to help you beat the heat with a dose of refreshing brightness,”​ says the brand.

The drinks are stocked in grocery retailers such as Wakefern, Albertsons, HyVee, Kroger and Walmart among others.

Pink Tonic

Suntory Beverage & Food France has launched a set of new innovations for its Schweppes brand in the country.

The new launches are Pink Tonic (a new twist on the classic Indian Tonic), Ginger Beer (tapping into the ‘cocktail of the moment’, Moscow Mule), Pamplemousse/Romarin (grapefruit and rosemary) and Framboise/Verveine (raspberry and verbena).

The new launches come as Schweppes plans to double its sales in France by 2030: by focusing on aperitif trends and reinventing its ‘fruits’ line to provide beverages for afternoon refreshment occasions and as an accompaniment for meals.

Bottleshot

New Orleans coffee brand Bottleshot is bringing its cold brew coffee to the UK.

Described as full bodied, ethical and with no additives, the line is designed to give a ‘clean coffee kick’.

“While most on-the-go coffees are made from multiple ingredients, additives and often sugars to create their flavor profiles, Bottleshot’s signature ‘coffee black’ consists of just three: cold coffee, water and chicory extract,”​ notes the company.

Bottleshot’s products are available online via Amazon Prime, Whole Foods and Ocado; as well as at Soho House venues across the UK.