New beverage launches: January 2022

Green Cola launches in the US 

Green Cola, a cola free from sugar, calories, artificial sweeteners or preservatives, has launched in the US with 1,000 retailers, as well as online with Amazon and Walmart.

The drink is naturally sweetened with stevia and naturally caffeinated with green coffee beans.

Green Cola was launched in 2012 in Greece by Founder Pericles Venieris, an entrepreneur with a career of over 30 years in the soft drink industry. It is sold in over 40 countries throughout Europe and beyond.

“Green Cola’s proprietary recipe is incomparable to any existing cola drink on the market today,”​ says Manos Eleftheriou, Green Cola US Managing Director.

“It’s a high quality, unique drink for those who want to avoid sugar, but also want the authentic taste of cola or fruit soda. Green Cola delivers 100 percent taste with zero percent guilt.”​ 

Green Cola’s original cola flavor is available in an eight-pack of 12 oz cans, a 20-ounce single serve PET and a 2 Liter family size PET. The brand also sells sparkling sodas in four fruit flavors: lemonade, lemon lime, sour cherry and orangeade all sold in six-pack 12-ounce cans.

Non-alcoholic vermouths

Martini & Rossi is introducing two non-alcoholic vermouths to their lineup in the US: Floreale and Vibrante.

The two drinks are already available in Europe.

Crossip taster collection 

Crossip, is launching a taster collection for its non-alcoholic spirits: featuring 20cl bottles of Fresh Citrus, Pure Hibiscus and Dandy Smoke. Taster Bundles are set to follow: featuring 20cl bottles with premium mixers from Artisan Drinks.

The UK brand was founded in 2020 by mixologist Carl Anthony Brown: who was inspired by his love for cocktails, his passion for fitness and support for mental health issues. 

Rather than replicating the taste of alcohol spirits, Crossip sets out to deliver the mature mouthfeel and flavor profile typically associated with alcohol and therefore can be used to create sophisticated tasting cocktails or simply added to a mixer to add depth and texture.  

“We have grown a fantastic and loyal customer base who love our drinks but we understand that some people may be reluctant to buy a large bottle if they haven’t tried Crossip before,”​ said Brown.

“The new Taster Collection allows people to sample the range in smaller sizes so they can find their favourite. They are also a great gift for someone who is interested in trying low or non-alcoholic drinks.”​

Venice Peach hard kombucha

Jiant has launched ‘Venice Peach’, its fourth hard kombucha brand, in the US.

The brand’s hard beverages highlight modern, expressive, ingredient-forward flavor profiles, and ‘Venice Peach’ is no exception.

‘Venice Peach’ hard kombucha is brewed with organic Dragonwell Green Tea, sustainably-sourced honey, organic peach puree and organic grape juice, while Nelson Sauvin hops provide a subtle hop character.

“In creating Jiant’s latest seasonal release, we experimented with the use of hops to help evoke a prosecco-tinged classic Bellini experience”​ says Jiant co-founder Larry Haertel Jr. “Venice Peach features Nelson Sauvin hops which impart a crisp white wine-y fruitiness – think gooseberry, tropical fruit, grapefruit, and white peach flavors. And while the original Bellini was born at Harry’s in Venice, Italy, our hard kombucha iteration comes from Venice, California, where Jiant began.”​

The 5% ABV hard kombucha is available in 16oz single cans in select retailers across the country. Jiant is currently available in over 3,000 stores throughout California, Colorado, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Utah, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire.

Boutique tequila

Las Vegas’ Romero Brands has launched three boutique tequilas, made from 100% Weber Blue agave, called Telson Tequila.

“Our flagship Telsón Blanco Tequila features a brilliant, crystal clear color with a sweet vanilla aroma and undertones of delicate agave, balanced taste with a complex and refreshing finish,”​ says Romero Brands. “The 40% ABV, twice-distilled tequila is unaged.”​

Meanwhile, Telsón Reposado Tequila (40% ABV) is aged for three months in French Oak barrels. “This variation features balanced aromas of vanilla, caramel and cooked agave with a smooth and sweet taste that hints at oak, vanilla, light spice notes, ginger, and caramel with a complex and long-lasting finish.”​

Finally, Telsón Añejo Tequila (40% ABV) features a medium gold color with notes of vanilla, oak, moderate spice and raisins. “The tequila, aged for one year in French Oak barrels, features a sweet, smooth taste with hints of vanilla and caramel. The long-lasting finish is velvety smooth.”​

New energy drink flavors

Energy drink Zoa is launching two new flavors in the US in 2021, White Peach and Tropical Punch.

The brand, which is marketed and distributed by Molson Coors Beverage Company, launched in the US last year with the backing of celebrity founder, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

With the addition of the two new sugar-free flavors, Zoa will discontinue two sugar-sweetened flavors, Original and Lemon Lime.

Zoa launched in 16-ounce single-serve cans, and the brand plans to introduce four-pack 12-ounce slim cans in 2022.

Kopparberg Mixed Fruit Tropical - alcohol-free

Kopparberg has added a new flavor, Mixed Fruit Tropical, to its alcohol-free range.

Launched as a limited-edition cider earlier this summer, Kopparberg is now taking the flavor into alcohol-free.

Rob Salvesen, Kopparberg’s Head of Marketing, said: “Mixed Fruit Tropical cider has risen from a limited-edition summer launch to become a permanent fixture in only seven months. In summer, it was synonymous with balmy afternoon gatherings with friends and beer gardens. Whilst we can’t guarantee sunny weather in January, we can guarantee that this flavour will bring Kopparberg’s energy and excitement to our alcohol-free cider range.”​

Kopparberg Mixed Fruit Tropical Alc-Free Cider is available from Tesco and select Asda stores for a limited period.

Evian non-flavored sparkling water

Evian has launched its first non-flavored sparkling water.

Packaged in 330ml and 750ml glass bottles, the drink is rolling out across fine dining and hotel establishments in the US this year.

Shweta Harit, VP of marketing at evian, said: “evian sparkling water represents new possibilities for the brand, as we reimagine our uniquely sourced water into an exciting new product. Evian sparkling stands out for its crispness and freshness – elevating your experiences and keeping you hydrated. This new product contains the perfect level of sparkles with its fine bubbles creating a subtle taste and gentle intensity.”​

Low alcohol Gose

In the UK, Huddersfield-based Magic Rock Brewing has collaborated with Bristol’s Wiper & True Brewery to launch a new low alcohol (0.5%) Blood Orange and Mandarin Gose called Fresh Start.

The beer ‘packs in flavor and refreshment, with a citrus kick full of zingy orange and a tart tanginess, plus the addition of hibiscus and beetroot.’

Ariele Rovati, Head of Operations at Magic Rock Brewing, ​says, “It’s been great to play around and push the possibilities of low alcohol beer. We’ve loved working with Wiper and True on this project – it just made sense to club together to make a product that stands out in the glass and on the shelf.” ​

Cherry Lime sports hydration

Sports hydration brand, BioSteel has launched a flash flavor, Cherry Lime.

Cherry Lime is available for a limited time (while quantities last), and joins BioSteel’s lineup of electrolyte-packed flavors - which come in 16.7 fl oz cartons - including Blue Raspberry, Grape, Lemon Lime, Mixed Berry, Peach Mango, Rainbow Twist, Watermelon, and White Freeze.