What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Keef Brands
Keef Brands, the top cannabis beverage brand in the US by dollar sales, is expanding into Canada.
Launching in the country is Keef’s top-selling Classic Soda line: with flavors including bubba kush root beer, original cola and orange kush.
Founded in Colorado in 2010, the brand is now available in the province of Ontario with Alberta and British Columbia to follow.
The drinks are available in Canada via a partnership with BevCanna, who serves as the exclusive licensee, manufacturing and distribution partner in the country.
Cannabis beverages are still relatively new to the Canadian market: products were first permitted in January 2020 and now account for around 7.3% of total cannabis products sold in Q3 2021, according to data from Hifyre.
Smirnoff Popo Pico seltzer
Smirnoff has launched a new Popo Pico seltzer variety pack in the US (pictured above).
The line comes in four flavors: mango chili, pineapple jalapeno, spicy tamarind and spicy margarita.
Autumn alcohol-free coffee-flavored beer
Alcohol-free brewer, Big Drop, has teamed up with Square Mile Coffee Roasters to produce a new coffee flavored beer ‘that combines the aromas and colors of Autumn’.
Thought to be the first of a kind in the alcohol-free category, ‘Leafkicker’ is a coffee-infused amber ale that comes in at 0.5% ABV.
The brewing team used Square Mile's Red Brick Seasonal Espresso blend which is known for offering a sweet, slightly fruity, textured and versatile cup. It was added during the hot side of production, whilst transferring the liquid from the kettle and through the heat exchange to the fermentation tank.
This option was chosen to ensure there was minimal risk of over-extraction from the coffee. As with all Big Drop beers, Leafkicker is naturally brewed-to-strength which allows it to be fully fermented while staying below the 0.5% ABV threshold throughout the whole process. The result is ‘a delicious beer that delivers earthy tones and subtle hints of vanilla alongside mellow Citra hops’.
Leafkicker is gluten-free and contains 75 calories per can costs £16 for 6 x 440ml cans or £29.50 for 12.
Smoked Pineapple Tequila
Amber Beverage Group has launched a new tequila variant, Rooster Rojo Smoked Pineapple Tequila.
The drink will initially launch in Australia, Germany, Russia, the UK and US: and will be available in both the on-trade and off-trade.
“Rooster Rojo's Master Distiller experimented with various pineapples and different roast levels for over a year until the perfect variety and smokiness was found,” says the brand. “Rooster Rojo uses only Red Spanish Pineapples for this infusion due to the exceptional taste profile they provide. Blended with Rooster Rojo Anejo Tequila it gives an exceptional result: a smooth but subtle drink which can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, or in various cocktails.
“Using only 100% Blue Weber Agave, Rooster Rojo Tequila is produced in small batches at the very base of the Volćan de Tequila. Carefully crafted by the Fabrica de Tequilas Finos specialists and blended with water that is filtered through Mexican silver, Rooster Rojo is the first tequila to use this technique, resulting in an authentic and high-quality spirit. Rooster Rojo Smoked Pineapple Tequila is bottled at two different strengths: 40% ABV for the USA market and 38% ABV for the rest of the world.”
Hispanic-inspired beverages are becoming increasingly popular in beverages and pineapple is one of the ‘hottest’ flavors on the list, adds the company.
Party Can’s new flavors
Party Can is launching two new expressions this month: Cosmicpolitan and Gold Rush Old Fashioned.
Party Can – which offers RTD craft cocktails in a large format (1.75L) resealable can that serves up to 12 margaritas – launched in 2020 with Triple Spice Margarita. The cocktails use premium ingredients and natural colors and flavors.
The company is the latest venture from spirits industry entrepreneur Scott Goldman: who was also behind cocktail kit delivery company Cocktail Courier and ShakeStir, an online platform for spirits industry professionals.
Rich Berry
UK non-alcoholic spirits producer Crossip has launched a limited edition flavor: Rich Berry.
“The perfect winter warmer, Rich Berry features luxurious rich florals of damson and blackberry, backed up with a brute force of sour cherry,” says the brand.
“These bold flavours are then intricately spiced with clove, nutmeg and cinnamon. Weaved into this complex liquid are floral notes of raspberry, eucalyptus and the bitter notes of wormwood and gentian.
“For the perfect simple serve, CROSSIP recommends enjoying Rich Berry as a Mulled Apple Toddy. This is created by mixing 25ml of Rich Berry with 150ml of hot apple juice and a dash of lemon juice.”
The wider Crossip range comes in three flavors: Pure Hibiscus, Fresh Citrus and Dandy Smoke. The brand aims to create the mature mouthfeel and flavor profile associated with alcohol (rather than replicating the taste) which can be used to create sophisticated cocktails or added to a mixer for depth and flavor.
Rich Berry is priced at £22 for a 50cl bottle.
New look for Yachak
PepsiCo has rolled out new packaging for its Yachak yerba mate energy teas: designed to appeal to the brand’s younger, health-conscious consumers.
Each can features a clean, bright design and a different animal – each species being local to the Amazon Rainforest in South America where Yachak takes its inspiration from.
The drink comes in five RTD canned teas: berry blue, berry red, blackberry, passionfruit and ultimate mint. Each is made with USDA Organic ingredients including Yerba Mate, which provides a natural source of caffeine.
