What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches

Anheuser-Busch rolls out new seltzer 

Anheuser-Busch is rolling out NÜTRL vodka seltzer in the US: a ‘tasty, sessionable, 100 calorie beverage that is unpretentious and uncomplicated’.

The drink is vodka-based and made with three ingredients: vodka, seltzer and fruit juice. It has launched in three flavors: raspberry, watermelon and pineapple.

NÜTRL is currently available in 11 states and select cities; with the company continuing to increase the distribution footprint of the brand.

Starbucks Signature Chocolate

Nestlé and Starbucks are launching Starbucks Signature Chocolate, expanding the companies’ At-Home range in the UK in time for the autumn.

The new range of Starbucks ​Signature Chocolate (pictured above) consists of two varieties and can be mixed with warm milk or dairy alternatives:

• Starbucks Signature Chocolate 42% - ‘a delicious blend of cocoa beans that deliver a velvety and smooth chocolate taste’.
• Starbucks Signature Chocolate Salted Caramel – ‘for those caramel lovers, a delicious hot chocolate made with high quality cocoa and layered with a delectable salted caramel flavor’.

The products will be available in Sainsbury’s, Asda, and online.

Amass

Los Angeles’ Amass, which holds a portfolio of premium botanic beverages and self-care products, has launched its first endeavour in the cannabis space with Afterdream: an ultra-premium cannabis-infused non-alcoholic beverage.

Designed to be sipped on the rocks with a splash of tonic water or used in non-alcoholic cocktails, Amass Afterdream contains 3.5mg THC, 3.5mg CBD and 3.5mg Delta-8 per serve. It is blended using 14 botanicals and 8 terpenes. “The result is a limb-loosening, mind-mellowing sip that mirrors the feeling that comes from drinking a strong cocktail,” says the brand.

Afterdream blends Sumac, Sorrel, and Lemon Peel for a bright, tart taste, balanced by herbaceous notes of Mint and Rosemary. It also includes cannabis-derived terpenes like Limonene, Beta-myrcene, and Eucalyptol to complement the spirit’s sophisticated flavor profile.

The drink is non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan and contains no added sugar, sweeteners, artificial colors or flavors.

Reeftip

Diageo Australia is launching a new drinks brand, Reeftip Drink Co., which will donate 10% of profits to the Coral Nurture Program to build the resilience of the Greet Barrier Reef.

Reeftip will launch with a spiced rum premix range featuring Australian inspired local flavours and a spiced rum spirit in October.

“​More and more consumers are looking to brands to do more for environment and Reeftip answers that call from its inception with its support of the Coral Nurture Program,”​ says Diageo Australia.

“Reeftip’s financial support will enable the Coral Nurture Program to significantly accelerate its coral regeneration work at Great Barrier Reef sites where coral needs to be boosted and maintained and support the scientific research that underpins field work on the reef.”​

Stella Artois launches Liberté​

Anheuser-Busch’s Stella Artois has launched Liberté, a non-alcoholic brew, in the US.

The 0.0% option will come in a classic 11.2oz glass bottle with a redesigned blue label (the color associated with the alcohol-free category). It is described as a ‘full-flavored premium alcohol-free lager with a well-balanced flavor of malt sweetness, crisp hop bitterness and clean finish’.

The new product is being introduced in select markets in the US this month, including New York, Washington D.C. Miami and Philadelphia.

The launch follows that of Stella Artois Alcohol-Free in the UK last year.

Gin 1689 launches in Mexico

Amsterdam-based Gin 1689, whose gin is based on a three-century-old gin recipe, makes its debut in the Mexican market via GinBuilders.

The gin market in Mexico is growing strongly year on year and Gin 1689 is tapping more in this market due to high demand and both local Mexicans as tourists’ consumers like to try and experience more gins.

The 1689 Dutch Dry Gin and the 1689 Queen Mary Pink Gin will be available in both retail stores and duty free and expand from there.

Ron de la Fuente-Saez from GinBuilders, which is the brand representation company of Gin 1689 in the Americas, said: “Mexico represents a fantastic opportunity for 1689, and the eldest gin recipe in the world will surely resonate with Mexico’s premium gin consumers.”​

Mtn Dew Thrashed Apple

Mtn Dew has ‘combined its bold citrus taste with the classic crisp apple flavor’ for its latest release, Mtn Dew Thrashed Apple.

As of this week, the new launch will be available at Kroger Family of Companies locations in-store and online; including Kroger, Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, King Soopers, QFC, Ralph’s, Smith’s and others – in 20 oz. bottles and 12 oz. 12-pack cans.

The flavor drop marks one of Kroger’s biggest beverage launches in history.

Mud House

Mud House, the £51m brand from Accolade Wines, has unveiled two new Chilean varietals, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé, as it targets further brand growth in the UK.  

Available in the off and on-trade, the two wines originate from Chile’s Central Valley region.

Mud House saw a +31% increase in volume and +28% rise in value sales year-on-year in 2020, according to IWSR data.

“Both wines are from the 2021 vintage which delivered grapes with notable freshness and vibrancy,” ​says Accolade Wines. “The Mud House Chile Sauvignon Blanc 2021 is a bright, fresh, and vibrant wine with a hint of sweet fruit, delicate floral flavours, viscous mid-palate texture and a soft, clean finish. The Mud House Rosé 2021 is a delicate pale salmon colour and has a soft palate with sweet summer flavours ​balanced by delicious mineral acidity and a long and generous finish.”​

To provide distinction on-shelf between the existing Mud House ranges, the two new wines will feature Chile’s national bellflower on-pack in the same spirit as the traditional Mud House New Zealand design, which features the native nikau palm.

The two wines will be available in multiples including Asda, Tesco, Nisa and Spar from September with a RRP of £9. A bag in a box version will also be available exclusively in Asda.