What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Topo Chico Spirited
Topo Chico Spirited, a new line of RTD cocktails inspired by classic cocktails, hits shelves in the US this April.
Each can of Topo Chico Spirited (pictured above) is made with tequila blanco or vodka, juice and filtered sparkling water. The line has three flavors:
● Tequila & Lime: ‘Inspired by Texas Ranch Water, a popular drink traditionally made using Topo Chico Mineral Water, Tequila & Lime brings bright citrus notes from real lime juice, and packs a punch with real tequila blanco.’
●Tequila & Grapefruit: ‘Inspired by the Mexican Paloma, a slightly more complex cocktail with roots in Mexico, Tequila &Grapefruit tastes like fresh squeezed grapefruit with a hint of sweetness to deliver a balanced and sessionable cocktail.’
●Vodka & Lemon: ‘Inspired by Southwest’s Chilton, a cocktail originating in West Texas, Vodka & Lemon has fresh lemon juice and a hint of salt to deliver a bright and refreshing cocktail.’
“Topo Chico Spirited is a bar-quality cocktail inspired by bartenders across America whose mixer of choice is already Topo Chico Mineral Water,” said Joy Ghosh, vice president of marketing for above premium flavor at Molson Coors Beverage Company. “We’re making it easy for people to entertain their friends on their backyard patios with a great tasting canned cocktail.”
Topo Chico Spirited comes in a single flavor four-pack of 12 oz cans, with each containing 5.9% ABV and ranging from 130 to 150 calories. Topo Chico Spirited is available to legal age drinkers in select states in 2023, including TX,CO, OK, KS, MO, CA, AZ, NM, NV, WA, FL, AR, MS, TN, GA, LA, IL, WI, OH, MN, MI,VA (Includes DC).
Red Stripe canned cocktails
Red Stripe is rolling out new canned rum cocktails: which are ‘crafted with real Caribbean rum, mango and lime juice and natural flavors’.
The cocktails come in two flavors: Rum Punch (‘a refreshingly sweet and vibrant tropical flavor’) and Rum Mojito (‘a refreshing and smooth classic citrusy flavor’).
“The spirit-based cocktail segment is the fastest growing category within the beer, wine and spirits industry, and with our latest Red Stripe rum innovation, we are able to tap into this trend, and introduce this iconic brand to a new generation of consumers,” says Oscar Martinez, Senior Director Marketing & Innovation at Heineken USA.
“The Red Stripe Rum Drinks perfectly embody the vibrant spirit of Jamaica, and signal a venture beyond beer, no shaker required.”
Red Stripe Rum Drinks will be rolling out in Florida and select markets across the northeast starting now through the spring. Containing an ABV of 5.9%, both flavors come in packs of slim 12-oz. cans.
New sparkling strawberry drink
US sparkling juice drink brand Izze has launched a new strawberry flavor.
“Like all its offerings, Izze’s Sparkling Strawberry combines real fruit juice with a splash of sparkling water for a bold and refreshing drink full of flavor your taste buds will love,” says the brand.
“In addition, Izze also offers irresistible flavors like Mango, Apple, Peach and more, that are thoughtfully made with no added sugar and no artificial sweeteners – making it the perfect uplifting indulgence for any occasion.”
The drinks are available at Target and Amazon.
Cherry Limeade kombucha
Californian plant-based, organic hard-kombucha brand Boochcraft has added Cherry Limeade to its core flavor lineup.
As the first 2023 limited-edition Liquid Art Lab flavor, Cherry Limeade scored ‘exceptionally well’ in consumer testing, with strong sell-in and sell- through numbers to support the findings (The Liquid Art Lab (LAL) series was founded as a way for Boochcraft to explore the artistry of flavor creation and get consumer feedback on new and unique flavors).
Due to the immediate popularity of Cherry Limeade among consumers, it will be added to Boochcraft’s core lineup, making it available year-round starting in April 2023.
Megan Yang, Brand Manager, said: “This fresh take on the drive-thru classic invites you to take a walk down memory lane, but is a no-frills version of your childhood favorite with a hint of lime and a pop of tart cherry, replacing preservatives and artificial flavors with freshness you can taste.”
Cherry Limeade is made with whole fruit, including locally sourced organic limes and oranges from Dickinson Family Farms in California.
Fruitier Fanta
A ‘bolder and fruitier-tasting’ Fanta Orange hits shelves in the US and Canada this month: with additional markets set to follow in 2023.
Consumer taste tests informed the refreshed flavor, while Fanta Orange also is sporting a new look—including a new logo and on-label messaging showcasing the new-and-improved taste. It now comes in more packaging options, including 10 packs of 10-oz. mini cans. Additionally, Fanta Orange Zero Sugar is now available more broadly across the US in 20-oz bottles and 12 packs of 12-oz. cans.
“It’s still the Fanta Orange you know and love, but now even more irresistibly delicious,” said Chris Hunsaker, Senior Brand Manager, Sparkling Flavors, Coca-Cola North America. “We’re always listening to our consumers to understand their evolving tastes to deliver the best-tasting products and most delightful experiences possible. Fans are craving more of what they love about Fanta Orange, so we’ve enhanced the recipe by amplifying its bold, fruity attributes.”
Naked Smoothies adds two new breakfast smoothies
Naked Smoothies has launched Naked Strawberry & Banana and Naked Pineapple & Passionfruit in the UK.
“With 38% of smoothies drank in the mornings, the new smoothies have been developed in response to consumer demand for simpler flavour combinations in the mornings and have been expertly created to be perfectly simple, perfectly tasty and bursting with flavour for a colourful morning boost,” says the brand.
Naked Strawberry & Banana smoothie is made with 'juicy strawberries, smooth banana, tangy apples and sour cherries and Naked Pineapple & Passionfruit is made with tasty pineapple, tangy passionfruit, juicy apples and smooth banana.'
Each smoothie contains vitamin C and provides one of your five a day.
Charlotte Ashburner, at Tropicana Brands Group, said: “Naked Strawberry & Banana and Naked Pineapple & Passionfruit are the newest additions to the Naked range, packed with a spectrum of carefully selected fruits and bursting with flavour for a morning pick-me-up.
"Created with morning drinkers in mind, we’re delighted to bring these new breakfast smoothies to market, created with simple but delicious ingredients that do not compromise on taste.’’
Naked Strawberry & Banana and Naked Pineapple & Passionfruit are best enjoyed chilled, straight from the fridge. The two smoothies are available in 300ml and 750ml bottles, designed for sharing around the breakfast table, and are available now at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and independents.
Sparkling Ice + Energy
Sparkling Ice + Energy is hitting shelves in the US this month as the newest addition to the Sparkling Ice lineup.
This rejuvenating new beverage is an excellent source of B vitamins added for immunity support and L-theanine to help improve concentration, according to the brand: and is made with naturally sourced flavors and colors and also delivers a boost of caffeine.
“At Talking Rain, we’re always looking for innovative ways to bring new and exciting products to our consumers,” said Anne Wilcox, Senior Vice President, Innovation and Insights at Talking Rain Beverage Company, makers of Sparkling Ice flavored waters. “With Sparkling Ice +Energy, we wanted to create a cleaner, better-tasting option that delivers the boost people need to tackle their everyday, busy lives. By using naturally sourced caffeine, along with added vitamins and minerals, we’re confident that +Energy will quickly become a fan-favorite amongst those looking for a better-for-you pick-me-up.”
The beverage is designed to be a cleaner, better-tasting option for those who want to maximize their potential without sacrificing taste or quality.
“With the right caffeine level, zero sugar along with vitamins and electrolytes, Sparkling Ice +Energy delivers a powerful punch of energy that elevates daily hydration and gives consumers the extra boost needed to perform their best. The new beverage is the energy drink for doers who want to get things done without feeling overstimulated and is an approachable option for consumers seeking cleaner and better-for-you energy sources.”
Sparkling Ice +Energy comes in three flavors: Power Punch, Berry Blast, and Maximum Mango in both 12 oz. and 16 oz. cans.
