What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Hard seltzers
UK hard seltzer brand Berczy is launching in the US, kicking off with new retail channels in New Jersey and expanding to additional states throughout the year.
Berczy is now being produced in Utica NY, using premium four-times distilled vodka and real fruit, in an effort to build out the premium end of the RTD market.
Brand co-founder Nick Graham said: “We have been working on our US venture for over 12 months now, taking on qualified and high profile investors to supercharge our launch.
“We are aware of the huge growth potential and opportunity for a premium, spirits based hard seltzer to succeed in the US. Thanks to our award-winning flavors and compelling marketing proposition, we are confident Berczy will stand apart from the competition within this growing category.”
Cans of Berczy are available for purchase in single flavor 4-packs for $10.99 MSRP and 6-pack variety packs at $15.99.
Florita Tequila Soda
Cardinal Spirits, a craft distillery in Bloomington, Ind., has launched its latest canned cocktail: Florita Tequila Soda
“This bright and refreshing canned cocktail is a perfectly-mixed blend of tequila plus Cardinal Spirits’ nectar-like Flora liqueur and bubbly citrus soda. Flora liqueur is what makes this tequila cocktail one-of-a-kind; blossoming but not too sweet. Flora is a spirit infused with real elderflower, jasmine, hibiscus, and raspberries,” says the brand.
Florita Tequila Soda, with 8.5% ABV, is sold in 4-packs, and will be available in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.
Cardinal Spirits makes 5 additional canned cocktail varieties (Maui Mule, Bramble Mule, Bourbon Cream Soda, Bourbon Honey Lemonade, Double Vodka Soda), and a Canned Cocktail Variety Pack.
Ambient smoothie line
Agus is launching a new smoothie line in Europe leveraging aseptic processing tech to create a shelf stable beverage with a 12-month shelf life.
Hello Day! Smoothie consists of natural, non-concentrated purees, fruit juices and coconut milk without the addition of ‘low-cost fillers’, the company said.
The ‘thick, filling, liquid snack’ is available in three flavors: passion fruit, pineapple and mango.
Because the product is ambient it doesn’t require controlled temperature distribution and logistics, a factor that has a ‘significant impact’ on cost optimization in the supply chain, says the company. The drinks can be sold either via ambient shelves or in the on-the-go chiller cabinet.
Sparkling cocktails
Spritz Society, a brand of premium sparkling cocktails (founded by media influencers and entrepreneurs including Ben Soffer, Claudia Oshry, Jackie Oshry and Jake Lewin) is announcing a new peach flavor.
The launch is the first new flavor since the brand launched in August 2021.
"Spritz Society was built by and for our community, so we will always include them in product development and strive to deliver products and flavors we know they will love,” says Ben Soffer, Founder and CEO of Spritz Society. “We know how eager they have been for a fresh new flavor, and after working for months to perfect Peach, we are so excited to share it with the world and we have amazing retail and distribution partners who are bringing our delicious flavors to Spritzers around the country.”
The new flavor is available direct-to-consumer and will expand into retail early next month.
Starbucks coffee
Starbucks and Nestle have introduced two new coffees to their lineup in grocery stores in the US, as well as refreshing the product packaging across the range.
The new drinks will be Starbucks Decaf Veranda Blend and Starbucks Maple Pecan Flavored Coffee. Both are available in ground coffee and K-Cup pods.
Meanwhile, the packaging refresh will ‘help consumers better navigate and shop for Starbucks coffees in the grocery aisle’, thanks to updated design features with new artwork and a stronger tie to the Starbucks green. The packaging also features updated icons to clearly indicated roast intensity, tasting notes and whether the coffee is whole bean or ground.
Canned cocktails
Australian canned cocktails from Delinquente Wine Co are launching in the US this month.
Bizzarro Spritz (12.75% ABV) and the Bizzarro and Mischief Brew Tonic (5% ABV) are described as organic, sustainably packaged, and artisanal low ABV canned cocktails that are the ‘perfect companions for go anywhere, drink anywhere aperitivo hour’.
Both canned cocktails use Bizzarro Aperitivo as their base: an all-natural, Australian bitter aperitivo from Delinquente. Bizzarro Aperitivo is gluten-free, vegan, biodynamic, and preservative-free, and is made in small batches with organic and biodynamic Vermentino and organically grown oranges and lemons from Australia’s Riverland.
The canned cocktails are available in 18 states across the US.
Hop infusion
Lolo Hops, a line of non-alcoholic sparkling beverages infused with Pacific Northwest-grown hops, has launched in the US.
Available in three flavors - Cascadia Field Blend, Pomelo Sage and Yuzu Orange Blossom - Lolo Hops is packaged in 12-ounce cans.
The beverage is gluten-free and contains no artificial ingredients: and offers consumers an alternative to both traditional hop water as well as non-alcoholic beer.
Watermelon sea salt
Luna Bay Booch has launched a new limited edition – watermelon sea salt flavor – for the US summer.
“Reminiscent of sun-soaked afternoons, backyard barbecues, park picnics, lake days and most of all, connection with loved ones, Watermelon Sea Salt was envisioned as a redolent, refreshing flavor, with a blend of fresh melon, pinch of sweet sea salt, and Luna Bay’s signature Yerba Mate tea base, creating an elevated tasting profile unlike any other,” says the company.
Sea Salt will be the ninth addition to Luna Bay Booch’s lineup of unique flavors and will be available in California, Illinois, Colorado, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine.
