What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches

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From flavored sparkling water to RTD coffee, we take a look at some of the latest products launching around the globe.

Coconut water tea

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Coconutea is launching a range of six drinks to the coconut water category after identifying a gap in the UK market for premium offering. Described as a ‘superfood in a bottle’ it combines pure coconut water and green tea, celebrating the king coconut grown in Sri Lanka.

“Coconutea is unique combination of premium green tea, natural fruit flavours and nutrient packed water from the majestic king coconut,” says the brand. “It is organic by virtue, and although tasting sweeter has 35% less fructose sugar than green coconuts. The green tea is freshly picked straight from sustainable bushes from Soil Association approved estates.

“Nutritionally, Coconutea contains double the amount of magnesium compared to green coconuts. It is a rich source of B-complex vitamins, sodium, potassium and other essential electrolytes making it ideal as a rehydration drink.”

The king coconut is native to Sri Lanka, and is used in traditional Ayurvedic practices.

Distributor and brand owner, Vivo Tea Company, is launching the brand into the UK market and will be targeting a range of formats including multiple retail, independent luxury retail, farm shops and delicatessen and the hospitality and food service sectors.

The brand is available in a range of six flavours – lemon, peach, pineapple, passionfruit, strawberry and soursop. The RRP per bottle is £3.49.

Pea vodka

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UK drinks firm Ten Locks is launching its own spirit brand with a ‘fresh, flavorful climate positive vodka made from 100% British peas’.

Pod Pea Vodka (40% abv) is made from peas and tastes like peas, explains the brand. “With sweet, vegetal pea notes, a touch of citrus, light savoury tones and a silky finish, Pod intends to reinvigorate the category by offering a flavor forward vodka.

“It will drive a new niche in the vodka category, which remains the biggest in the world with many new entrants similarly focusing on the flavour of the raw ingredient. Pod Pea Vodka has been developed to play on modern cocktail menus, sitting at the heart of classic serves and savoury, umami-led drinks. Its arrival has been welcomed by Hammonds, as well as Birch, Hawksmoor and New World Trading Company venues and is listed on Amazon, Selfridges and Master of Malt.”

Pod Vodka highlights its priorities as the ‘three Ps’; People, Purpose, Planet. Using peas because of their benefits to the environment (such as feeding nitrogen into the soil), Pod Pea Vodka is fermented, distilled and bottled in Manchester using a bespoke copper still. It embraces flavour, local materials, ingredients, and talent where possible.  

Pod Pea Vodka’s bottles are made from sand sourced from the UK, to keep its carbon footprint low, and transition glass that would otherwise be processed further. Labels are printed on wood-free, FSC certified paper avoiding plastics and foils. 

Topo Chico Sabores

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Topo Chico is expanding its portfolio with a new sub-brand, premium flavored sparkling water Topo Chico Sabores.

The drink comes in three flavors: blueberry with a hint of hibiscus extract; tangerine with a hint of ginger extract; and lime with a hint of mint extract.

“Topo Chico Sabores is a collection of premium flavored sparkling waters with three unique flavor profiles, filtered sparkling water, crisp bubbles and blend of minerals added for taste, meant for everyday drinking among Topo Chico enthusiasts,” says the brand.

“Topo Chico Sabores is flavor forward and low in calories with zero added sugars. Best served cold, Topo Chico Sabores can be enjoyed alone, on-the-go or over ice paired with your favorite meal or occasion.”

The new line will be available in select US markets including New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and New York starting on April 24, in individual and 4-pack of 12-oz slim cans. 

Starbucks Pink Drink

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RTD Starbucks Pink Drink is coming to the US this month, alongside additional new RTD beverages including Starbucks Paradise Drink, Starbucks Frappuccino Mini chilled coffee drink, new flavors of Starbucks Doubleshot Energy, Starbucks Frappuccino chilled coffee drink and Starbucks Espresso Americano.

The beverages were developed through the North American Coffee Partnership (NACP), a longstanding joint venture between Starbucks and PepsiCo to bring premium, high-quality RTD Starbucks beverages where groceries are sold in stores and online in the US.

Starbucks Pink Drink ‘features bold fruit flavors of strawberry and açaí combined with coconutmilk and refreshing fruit juice and Starbucks Paradise Drink features tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and passionfruit, blended with coconutmilk and refreshing fruit juice.. The beverages will be available for a suggested retail price of $3.67 per 14 oz bottle (prices vary by retailer).  

The plant-based RTD drinks are inspired by Pink Drink, which launched in Starbucks’ cafes in 2017, and Paradise Drink, which was introduced last summer.

Coors Seltzer and Vizzy Hard Seltzer

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Molson Coors has launched new variety packs for its Coors Seltzer and Vizzy Hard Seltzer brands in Canada.

Coors Seltzer released its Slushie Flavours variety pack, featuring three classic flavors, while Vizzy’s Mimosa variety pack, which was the No. 3 new hard seltzer variety pack in the US last year, is set to give Canadian drinkers a new option for brunch and other occasions.

Available in three flavors (grape, orange and cherry), Coors Seltzer Slushie Flavours are sold in 12-packs, as well as 355-milliliter and 473-milliliters singles of cherry slushie. The drinks come in at 4.5% ABV and 100 calories per 355-milliliter serving.

Meanwhile, Vizzy’s Hard Seltzer Mimosa variety pack comes in four flavors: strawberry orange, pineapple orange, peach orange and pomegranate orange. Vizzy Mimosa clocks in at 5% ABV and 100 calories and is sold in 12-packs of 355 milliliter cans.

Mahala Botanical Amber

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Mahala Botanical is extending its portfolio of alcohol-free drinks with the launch of Mahala Botanical Amber.

The core Mahala Botanical Classic, created in South Africa, was launched in the UK last year.

Created and co-founded by Master Distiller Danielle Schoeman at her Donã Distillery in Cape Town, South Africa, Mahala is crafted using a unique, triple-distillation process, ‘achieving a depth of flavour and prestige of finish that is notoriously hard to achieve within an alcohol-free spirit.’

“Through our Mahala Botanical range, we have created two exciting propositions, each with their own unique and individual appeal,” said Schoeman. “Our original Mahala Botanical is light and refreshing, with a herbaceous and citrus finish, while our new addition, Mahala Botanical Amber, is a warm and spicier offering, perhaps best appealing to those who prefer bolder, darker drinks.”

Mahala – meaning “free” in Zulu – also delivers appeal for today’s conscious consumer, being free from sugar, gluten, and artificial flavours or colourings, in addition to alcohol.

Easter beer

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Danish brewer Harboe has launched its 5.7% ABV seasonal Easter Beer (Påskebryg): ‘a delicious and golden beer… with a taste characterised by dark malts and a delicate taste of hops’.

The metallic stripes of yellow and green on Harboe's Easter Beer cans ‘evoke the sunshine and new leaves of springtime. At its simplest, the elegant, minimalist design expresses the joy and freshness of this happy season.’

The can decoration was accomplished by Canpack’s Duomix can printing technique, which enables two different designs to be printed and packaged together in one production batch.