What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Fresca Mixed
Fresca Mixed, a new line of premium pre-mixed cocktails crafted with the ‘bright and citrusy classic taste of Fresca and real vodka and tequila’.
Fresca Mixed will be available in two varieties: Vodka Spritz and Tequila Paloma. Both flavors are 100 calories, 5% ABV, gluten-free, made with real spirits and contain zero sugar.
Constellation Brands, through a brand authorization agreement with The Coca-Cola Company, will produce, distribute and market Fresca mixed. The drink is available across the US as of this month.
Craft beer, ranch water and RTD cocktails
Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, in partnership with 101 Studios and producer, David Glasser, has teamed up with beverage incubator L.A. Libations to launch launched a new line of alcoholic beverages with major national retailers under the banner 6666 Grit & Glory.
After purchasing the historic 6666 Ranch in Texas, which is featured on the TV show Yellowstone, the owners have created a line of beverages that celebrate the ranch.
The 6666 Grit & Glory line of craft beer, ranch water, spirit-based ranch waters and ready-to-drink cocktails will hit major retailers this week, expanding nationwide in 2023. The line of products includes a line of craft beers—a Pilsner, Session IPA and Amber Lager—along with varied traditional and flavor-forward selections in the ranch water, spirit-based ranch waters and ready-to-drink cocktails.
“We have created a brand and a beverage offering that celebrates the ranch lifestyle—striving for the life you enjoy and embracing everything it has to offer, both the Grit & the Glory of it” said Sheridan, a working cowboy, entrepreneur, actor, writer, director and co-creator of Yellowstone and spin-off series 1883 and 1923.
The beverage line rollout comes on the heels of Paramount’s announcement of a new Yellowstone spin-off television series “6666”, expanding the franchise storyline to center on the “Four Sixes” ranch. The legendary 260,000-acre ranch and its rich heritage is the backdrop for “6666”, transporting the Yellowstone story and its characters from Montana south to Guthrie, Texas.
To launch the product line, Sheridan’s business partner Glasser turned to friend Danny Stepper and his company L.A. Libations: a beverage incubator known for its work with ZOA Energy (with Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson), Body Armor (which recently exited to The Coca-Cola Company), Core Water (which exited to Keurig Dr. Pepper) and Zico Coconut Water (which exited to The Coca-Cola Company), Molson Coors and more.
The drinks are now available in Texas in retailers including Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Albertson, Target and Sprouts; with the launch expanding to Florida, Georgia and California before the end of the year and with a national rollout set for 2023.
Corona Cero
Corona’s non-alcoholic drink, Corona Cero, has launched in the UK for ‘Sober September’.
“The 0.0% alcohol alternative has the same crisp and refreshing taste as Corona Extra, with subtle citrus notes that deliver a perfectly balanced flavor. Brewed with 100% natural ingredients Corona Cero can be enjoyed anywhere and anytime, best served cold with a signature wedge of lime,” says the brand.
The launch marks Corona’s ambition to expand the drinks category with new innovations. In May 2022, the brand launched a flavored alternative to beer – Corona Tropical, the brand’s first lightly sparkling alcoholic drink made with a hint of real fruit juice. It was released in three different flavors – Guava & Lime, Raspberry & Lemon, and Grapefruit & Lemongrass.
Irini Komodikis, Corona Marketing Director, Europe said: “We know that day to day life often adopts routine habits that we find hard to break, which is why we’re excited to see people switch from their soft drinks to a natural refreshing alternative, Corona Cero. Maintaining the same all-natural ingredients our brand is known for, the non-alcoholic drink served at The Nature Exchange, gives consumers the chance to break their habits, reconnect with nature and celebrate a more balanced lifestyle.’’
Italian Gin Liqueur
UK spirits distributor Hi-Spirits is launching Kranebet Italian Gin Liqueur in the UK market this month.
Produced in Italy by Rossi d’Asiago distillers since 1924, Kranebet is an aromatic liqueur rich in juniper. Originally a popular pharmaceutical elixir, Kranebet uses carefully selected ingredients and artisanal distillation creating a ‘harmonious spirit, free from artificial flavoring and colors.’
Kranebet, is made through the slow distillation of hand-picked juniper berries, using a traditional copper still at the Rossi d’Asiago distillery, with a bain-marie system. Other botanicals include gentian root, roman absinthe, coriander seeds and quassia bark, which bring delicate bitter and herbaceous notes with hints of wood. The distillation method maintains the temperature and therefore preserves the aromatics, ensuring a balanced distillate.
The name Kranebet comes from the cimbric word “kraneveta” that literally means “bitter grains”, the name given to the juniper plant by the Cimbrian population that used to live in the Italian pre-Alps.
Kranebet can be enjoyed neat, chilled on the rocks, or mixed in cocktails.
On the new launch, Senior Marketing Manager James Johnstone said: “We’re excited to welcome Kranebet into our growing Italian portfolio and launch it in the UK. Kranebet offers a sweeter twist on the traditional London Dry Gin, perfect as a Gin & Tonic or as a twist on the classical Negroni. It’s rich brand history and traditional Italian flavors will appeal to a wide audience of UK consumers, whilst also having a special place in many Italians hearts.”
Britvic's Brazilian flavors
Britvic has launched two new flavors for its mixers range, exclusively available in Brazil.
Green Apple (Maçã Verde) and Pink Lemonade join the existing Brazilian line-up of Britvic Club Soda, Cranberry Juice, Ginger Ale and Indian Tonic Water (regular and low calorie).
Green apple introduces a sour note for creative drink pairings; while Pink Lemonade is a refreshing drink that blends the citrus of lemon and sweetness of strawberry.
Pedro Magalhães, Managing Director Brazil, said: “Building brand awareness for Britvic mixers has been a key focus for us through event activations, social media influencers and trade shows.
“Launching our two new flavors exclusive to the Brazilian market allows us to use this strong foundation to continue building the brand and appeal to local consumers.”
Glow Up
Health-Ade has expanded its Glow Up Line with the launch of Ginger Pineapple Belly Reset and Citrus Immune Boost.
The Glow Up line provides consumers with ‘delicious, refreshing kombucha but also amplified benefits to support hair, skin and nail health; immunity; and digestion; for a gut-first wellness approach’.
The new Citrus Immune Boost line contains Vitamin C, zinc and oranges; while Ginger Pineapple Belly Reset has six times more living probiotics than other Health-Ade Kombucha, along with cold pressed ginger juice that has ‘been shown to help increase digestive mobility, improve indigestion, decrease bloating and reduce intestinal cramping’.
Autumn syrups
UK food and drink manufacturer Aimia Foods has expanded its range of 1883 syrups with three new additions: Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread and Cinnamon.
“An ideal option for baristas and foodservice operators that want to create top quality, seasonal beverages, 1883 Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread and Cinnamon syrups can be used to transform standard beverages into a seasonal, limited-edition options,” says the company.
“Consumers love to get into the spirit of the season, particularly as we approach Halloween and Christmas when customers crave the taste of exotic, wintery spices.”
Every 1883 syrup has been crafted since 1883 and are made with pure cane sugar and water from the French Alps.
Spindrift
Sparkling water and hard seltzer brand Spindrift has launched its first-ever limited time, seasonal release: Spiced Apple Cider.
“Spindrift’s seasonal debut of Spiced Apple Cider is lighter and a more real-tasting version of the traditional fall flavor. It’s not quite cider, not quite seltzer – it’s a category-defying beverage and a completely new taste for Spindrift.”
Furthermore, the brand wants to challenge the idea that sparking water and hard seltzer are just summertime beverages.
“Fall is an ideal season for Spindrift. It’s when the air is crisp, food turns heartier, and when many people return to where they feel the most at home to spend time with their loved ones.
“Spindrift Spiced Apple Cider is full of flavor, incredibly refreshing and drinkable. We created our version of apple cider because it’s a fall-favorite beverage that evokes fond memories but something many may have stopped drinking because of the sugar, calories and carbs. With a Spindrift twist, we’re giving people a modern alternative to cider – both a non-alcoholic version, and in a hard seltzer with 4% ABV from fermented cane sugar.”