What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
RTD boxed wine cocktails
Constellation Brands has entered the RTD boxed wine cocktail category with the launch of Next Round Cocktails.
Lime Margarita is made with fruit juice, a sprinkle of salt, and white wine: with a 13.5% ABV.
Strawberry Lime Sangria is made with fruit juice and crisp rose wine, coming in at 10% ABV.
"Next Round Cocktails represents Constellation Brands' commitment to innovate for consumer-leading trends, such as creatively intersecting the growing consumer interest we see in the $696m pre-mixed cocktails category and the $903m premium boxed wine category," said Ann Stockman, VP of Emerging Brands at Constellation Brands.
"Recent YPulse research of our target consumer reports that post-covid, 66% would prefer to drink at home than go out, so we've created Next Round Cocktails to fit right in as the ultimate co-host, all tastefully dressed and ready-to-serve up the fun."
Both flavors are packaged in two serving size options, including a 1.5L bag-in-box at a suggested retail price of $16.99 and a 500mL single serve Tetra box with a suggested retail price of $5.99. The brand has partnered with illustrator Simone Noronha to make the product the ‘art of the party’.
The rolling launch of Next Round Cocktails is underway at major retailers nationwide along with online delivery such as Instacart and Drizly.
Aqua Seltzer
Kombucha brand Aqua ViTea has launched Aqua Seltzer: a bubbly beverage infused with organic kombucha and probiotics for immune and gut health, in the US.
Aqua Seltzer ($36/12-pack) offers a ‘light body, approachable and inventive taste, and vibrant packaging’.
It comes in four flavors: Grapefruit + Thyme, Raspberry + Lime, Cucumber + Mint, and Pomegranate + Cherry.
Each shelf-stable can is packed with five billion live probiotics and powerful antioxidants and enzymes; and contains 15 calories and 1g of sugar.
It is available online and in select stores on the East Coast.
Topo Chico Margarita hard seltzer
Topo Chico has launched its new margarita hard seltzer in the US, in time for Cinco de Mayo and the summer seltzer season.
The newest Topo Chico Hard Seltzer comes in four flavors: Signature Margarita, Tropical Pineapple, Strawberry Hibiscus and Prickly Pear. Each flavor of Topo Chico Margarita Hard Seltzer comes in a variety pack with 12 fl. oz. cans, each with 100 calories and 4.5% ABV per serving.
“Everyone loves a good margarita–it’s the No. 1 cocktail on-premise for a reason and a natural fit for a brand like Topo Chico Hard Seltzer,” says Matt Escalante, vice president of hard seltzers at Molson Coors Beverage Co. “So we took what drinkers look for in a margarita–everything from the salty rim to the exotic fruit flavors and citrusy finish–and put it into an easy-drinking hard seltzer.”
Ready-to-shake espresso martini
Twenty-One (XXI) Martinis, a premium vodka martini brand, has introduced a new ‘ready-to-shake’ espresso martini.
XXI Martinis comes in three flavors - Espresso, Chocolate, and limited edition Chocolate Peppermint. Each martini is made to be enjoyed on its own at 15% ABV (30 proof), but can also be added to coffee, blended with ice, served on the rocks, or over ice cream as an affogato.
Born in Las Vegas, the name derives from the winning hand in blackjack and the legal drinking age, and has been created by entrepreneur Shannon Keeran and bartender Angelo Bottley.
The pre-made martini is now available in select cities in Las Vegas, Nevada, Cleveland, Ohio, and Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky; and is eying up national distribution with additional flavors in the future.
Ocean Aged at Sea Rye
Jefferson’s Bourbon has launched its ‘boldest expression yet’: Ocean Aged at Sea Rye.
The drink marks Jefferson’s inaugural exploration at sea with rye whiskey. The liquid is a fully mature rye whiskey that was double barreled (75% in char 3 barrels and 25% in toasted barrels). It was then placed on ships and traveled through ports around the world as part of the unique finishing technique for which the Ocean series is known.
“I’ve always had the desire to create a Rye within the Jefferson’s Ocean portfolio but wanted to make one that you could sip – so I did just that,” Trey Zoeller, Jefferson’s founder said. “The unpredictability of the ocean – and the way it affects our products – has always been intriguing to me, but this, combined with our double barreling process, made for a more robust profile, while the increased interactions with barrels and fluctuating air temperatures balanced the spice of rye. This aging process churns and treats our whiskey like no rickhouse could.”
The result is a rye ‘balanced by caramelization that comes specifically from the sea-aging process. The combination of the new char 3 barrels and new toasted barrels adds a flavorful depth of marshmallow and toffee on the nose and palate. These rich notes are delicately accented by leather and tobacco with a long finish of baking spices and cinnamon that are kissed with a touch of sea salt.’
Bottled at 96 proof, the bourbon is now available across the US with a SRP of $79.99 for a 750ml bottle.
Mahala Botanical
Mahala Botanical, an alcohol-free spirit created in South Africa, has announced its UK launch.
Awarded the prestigious Trophy for Best No/Low Alcohol Spirits at the 2020 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, Mahala – meaning “free” in Zulu – is also free from sugar, gluten, colorants and artificial flavorings.
Created and co-founded by Master Distiller Danielle Schoeman using a unique triple-distillation process in her custom-built vacuum stills, Mahala is made using nine hand-sourced botanicals, many of which are indigenous to South Africa and some of which are foraged from Schoeman’s own farmland.
Teaming up with former Managing Director of Pernod Ricard South Africa, Paul Scanlon, the pair began to develop Mahala during the global pandemic. The drink is produced farm-to-bottle at Schoeman’s Doña Distillery in Cape Town, South Africa.
“Intended to be mixed with a premium tonic, soda water or ginger beer/ale, on opening a bottle of Mahala, the fragrant clove and cardamom become apparent, with subtle floral notes of the Buchu coming through from the indigenous fynbos of South Africa,” says the brand. “On the palate, Mahala first tastes of delicate spices such as clove and pepper, with hints of Buchu, followed by subtle citrus notes from the orange and pelargonium citronella, and a herbaceous and citrus finish.”
San Pellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks
San Pellegrino’s Italian Sparkling Drinks portfolio has relaunched with a new look and revamped formula.
The drinks now use a simplified formula made with seven ingredients and no artificial colors or sweeteners. Meanwhile, the new packaging transitions from a traditional barrel can to a stylish sleek can, modernizing the product while reinforcing its premium quality and the brand’s Italian heritage.
“We have refreshed the San Pellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks portfolio to a deliver premium beverage option for consumers made with ingredients from natural origins,” said Thomas Conquet, Marketing Director, S.Pellegrino. “Still offering the iconic taste from Mediterranean citrus fruits, the simplified formula and modernized packaging design ensure this line of sparkling drinks is cohesive with our other stylish and sleek products in the S.Pellegrino family.”
The drinks will be available in Aranciata, Aranciata Rossa, Arancia & Fico D’India, Limonata, and Melograno & Arancia in stores across the US this spring.
Half Time Oranges
The UK's Match Day Brewery and Good Karma Beer Co. have unveiled Half Time Oranges, an alcohol-free beer inspired by the Sunday League.
Trialled and tested with South Liverpool’s premier new wave Sunday League team, Sefton Park Rangers, Half Time Oranges is the first collaboration between Good Karma Beer Co. – a brewery that are, in their own words “consciously and holistically involved with mindful drinking, embracing only an ethos of wellness and positivity” – and Match Day Brewery, a new brand trying to bring good beer closer to the beautiful game.
“440ml of thirst-quenching 0.5% IPA that will soothe your creaking joints, give your head a wobble, and help you forget that absolute clanger you dropped in the first half. It's a refreshing, punchy combo of fruity, tropical and citrus notes, it’s perfect for before kick-off, for a half-time breaker, or for the full-time debrief,” say the breweries.
10% of proceeds will go to mental health charity Mind.
Tails Cocktails launches
Bacardi is launching its Tails Cocktails line across Australia, the UK & Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Austria.
The brand is designed to make it ‘easier than ever’ for people to enjoy the same flavor and complexity of a cocktail made from scratch, but without effort, expertise, ingredients or recipes.
Cocktails include the Whisky Sour with Dewar’s blended Scotch whisky; the Gin Gimlet with Bombay Sapphire gin; the Espresso Martini Cocktail’; and Passionfruit Martini Cocktail made with 42below vodka.
“Over the last two years, cocktail demand has boomed as people at home served up espresso martini cocktails and mojitos to make staying-in feel extra special,” said Evert-Jan Bos, General Manager of Tails. “Now, as the on-premise reopens, consumers are enjoying the experience of being back in the bar and they’re ordering cocktails more than ever before.”
