What's hitting the shelves? New product launches: July
KeVita Prebiotic shots
Fermented beverage brand KeVita has launched KeVita Prebiotic shots: an on-the-go 2oz drink to help support digestive health.
The organic shots are fermented with water kefir culture and offer 3g of prebiotic fiber. They come in three flavors: beet lemon; blueberry mint and turmeric ginger.
"At KeVita, we're all about providing delicious functional drinks to fit a variety of taste preferences and lifestyles, which is why we're thrilled to add Prebiotic Shots to our roster," says Anup Shah, vice president and chief marketing officer, Juice Brands, PepsiCo Beverages North America.
"As we head into summer, our consumers are looking for products that deliver on taste and provide functional benefits. With four distinct product lines, KeVita is uniquely positioned to deliver high-quality and great-tasting options that fit these needs."
The shots are rolling out in the US this summer at mass grocery, drug, convenience and specialty food stores nationwide.
Franzia Refreshers
Wine brand Franzia has launched Franzia Refreshers: a new line of slightly sweet varietal wines blended with natural fruit flavors.
Franzia eyes up increased sales of flavored wine: with the category up +47% in the past year, nearly eclipsing $600m in sales.
Packaged in 3L boxes, the new range also meets consumer demand for wines with fewer calories and less alcohol, says the brand. The 6.5% ABV wine contains 75 calories per 5oz serving (around 25%-45% less than leading fruit-flavored wines and 25% less than leading hard seltzers, according to Franzia), and comes in at 8g carbohydrates and 6g sugar.
Franzia Refreshers flavors are Peach Moscato, Tropical Pinot Grigio, Strawberry Rosé, and Wild Berry Moscato.
“Franzia was the first nationally distributed wine in a box, and we are always exploring new ways to build upon this legacy of innovation. Today, Franzia enters the fruit-flavored wine category with Franzia Refreshers, setting itself apart with lower alcohol, calories, and carbohydrates versus the competition as we continue our focus on innovation and maintain our leadership in the boxed wine space,” said Jeff Dubiel, Chief Marketing Officer at Franzia’s parent company, The Wine Group.
“As one of the only brands bringing together both fruit flavored varietal wines and lower-alcohol and lower-calories in our signature boxed wine format, we’re anticipating Franzia Refreshers will become a go-to selection for new wine and beverage alcohol consumers.”
Franzia Refreshers are available nationwide in the US with a suggested retail price of $15.
Untouched national park source water
Hamburg-based start-up Untouched has launched its organic mineral water from a national park source in 49 Globus hypermarkets.
The water is sourced from a national park in Hunsrueck. It has received the organic seal of the quality community Bio-Mineralwasser e.V.; which follows the purity law for water and stands for proactive water and environmental protection.
“Untouched only takes as much water from the spring in the national park as it can regenerate on its own,” says the brand. “Our ecologically and sustainably oriented company management guarantees a climate-neutral production of the organic mineral water, in which all CO2 emissions are compensated.
“Great importance is also attached to resource conservation in the packaging. All bottles are made from 100% recycled materials. We are passionately committed to active environmental protection and is involved in reforestation projects in the National Park region. In schools, Untouched conducts educational work on sustainable topics such as recycling.”
The product range launches with a still and carbonated version with soft drinks to follow in the fall.
Teavana white chocolate peppermint
Teavana is launching a new tea sachet variety in the US: white chocolate peppermint.
“This indulgent herbal blend features notes of creamy white chocolate, cocoa, and smooth rooibos balanced with cool peppermint,” says the Starbucks brand. “Served iced or brewed hot, it’s meant to be savored and shared no matter the time of year – as a refreshing treat to beat the heat, or cozy blend to escape the cold.
“To make delicious iced White Chocolate Peppermint tea, simply pour 8 fl oz hot water over two sachets, let steep for five minutes, then pour over ice.”
The new flavors, alongside the full Teavana tea sachet lineup, can be found at grocery stores nationwide and on Amazon.
Drifter craft cocktail RTD collection
Drifter Craft Cocktails has launched in the US with three 7% ABV varieties: Spicy margarita, Passion Fruit Caipirinha and Moscow Mule.
Drifter Craft Cocktails was co-founded by Pete Nevenglosky, Nate Whitehouse, and Jeff Diego: who are also the team behind Drifter Spirits, the company that brought Avuá Cachaça and Svöl Aquavit to the US.
“Drifter Craft Cocktails is the continuation of our mission to give underrepresented spirits and distillers a platform – this time, in a convenient ready-to-drink (RTD) format that meets the ever-growing consumer demand for premium RTDs,” says the brand.
“The collection offers the opportunity to discover global spirits and tells the story of passionate small-batch producers. Inspired by adventures and alluring faraway places, Drifter Craft Cocktails were created in collaboration with leading bartenders.
“From Vietnam, to India, to the Philippines, the ingredients are shared on every can with a story about the producers. We are proud to highlight Avuá Cachaça, produced by third-generation master distiller Katia Espirito Santo in the hills four hours from Rio de Janeiro; Paladar Tequila produced by the Orendain family, who have made tequila since 1844 and are the last of the independent founding families of tequila; and Griffo Pot Distilled Vodka produced in Petaluma, CA showcasing the beauty and bounty of Sonoma County.”
Asahi's Viper Hard Seltzer
Asahi UK has launched Viper Hard Seltzer in two flavors: lime and cranberry.
The 4% ABV drink comes in 330ml single can and bottle formats, with 96Kcal per serving.
“Brewed in Pilsen and made with the purest spring water, new Viper Hard Seltzer delivers a refreshing and smooth-tasting Hard Seltzer to enjoy on the move or at home,” says Asahi UK.
“With no artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives, Viper Hard Seltzer is brewed with water pumped from 100m below sea level and experiences a six-day brewing process to create a Hard Seltzer with a crystal-clear appearance – delivering a unique refreshing taste with a bite of alcohol.
“Taking the Hard Seltzer trend head on, Viper Hard Seltzer responds to the needs of consumers today, who are looking for an alcoholic beverage with a crisp and refreshing taste which can be consumed for outdoor and at-home social occasions.”
Hiball Energy Seltzer
Premium energy seltzer brand Hiball has launched its latest flavor innovation: Blackberry Hiball Energy Seltzer.
Like other Hiball products, Blackberry is a light refreshing energy seltzer with 160mg of organic caffeine, zero calories and zero sugar.
It comes in 16oz singer serve cans in Kroger and Kroger Family Stores across the US and via Amazon.
It joins existing flavors grapefruit, watermelon mint, peach, vanilla, wild berry and lemon lime.
