What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches
Caleño launches ‘Ready To Party’ cans
Non-alcoholic spirits brand Caleño has launched a range of tropical premixed cocktails in time for the UK summer.
‘Caleño Pineapple Piña Colada Spritz’ and ‘Caleño Passion Fruit Martini Spritz’ are the brand’s tropical twists on a Piña Colada cocktail and a classic Passion Fruit Martini, ‘full of flavor but without the alcohol’. Both are premixed with either Caleño's ‘Dark & Spicy’ or ‘Light & Zesty’ tropical non-alcoholic spirits.
Caleño sees the opportunity to embrace a new ‘ready-to-party’ occasion that is often missed by other alcohol-free brands.
Founder Ellie Webb said: “Our cans have been specifically designed to crack open in a high-tempo situation this summer - on the way to a festival or at a party in the park. We see so many No & Low brands offering drinkers a slower, wellness moment when they’re enjoying a non-alcoholic drink. We’re here to say that you can actually still enjoy alcohol-free drinks in the same fun, exciting environment that you may enjoy alcohol in.
“We want to give consumers a mini fiesta when they’re enjoying our drinks, and our new tropical premixed cocktails have been created to fit this occasion. We over-index with females aged 25-35 who like to have fun and squeeze the most out of life, so we know they’re going to love the convenience and the taste of our new RTPs.”
The tropical cocktail cans are non-alcoholic, have no artificial flavourings, are low in sugar and are suitable for vegans. Each flavor has 45 calories per 100ml.
Caleño was founded four years ago by Ellie Webb, drawing on her Colombian heritage and now reporting growth of 180%+ in the last 3 years.
The new line launches next month at £2.50 per can, or in a case of 12 for £30.
Vodka-kombucha refreshers
Miixt is launching its first-to-market RTD vodka-kombucha refreshers in the US.
The drinks come in four flavors: strawberry lemonade, peach, mango and tangerine. The drinks are described as ‘low carb, high in antioxidants, gluten-free and fizzing with probiotics’.
“Each 12-ounce can contains a mix of four main quality ingredients including organic raw kombucha brewed in San Diego, premium vodka, real fruit juice, and sparkling water,” says the brand. “The result is an epic, easy-to-drink, 110-calorie beverage that is gluten free and contains just 5 grams of sugar with a 4.5% ABV.
“Miixt combines two of the fastest growing categories – kombucha and RTD cocktails – for the ultimate mashup. Drunk over ice or straight out of the can, you can enjoy all the benefits and appeal of kombucha, with a bit of vodka for a clean, and tasty alcoholic bevvy.
“While typical hard kombuchas are made by adding additional yeast and sugar, resulting in a more highly fermented and overly yeasty drink, Miixt ditches the nasties—just all-natural punchy fruit deliciousness.”
Miixt is initially available in California, Colorado and Missouri.
Relaunch for Belle de Brillet
Rémy Cointreau has relaunched the French liqueur brand, Belle de Brillet.
Created by the Maison Brillet House in Anjou region, Belle de Brillet is a French pear and cognac liqueur. Since joining the Rémy Cointreau family in 2020, the expression has been revamped from bottle to liquid.
“The latest liqueur harmoniously combines the intense fruitiness of Williams pear eaux-de-vie with the delicate complexity of Cognac eaux-de-vie to create an exceptional flavor profile at a low ABV,” says the company. “Made from 100% natural ingredients, Belle de Brillet’s signature taste can be attributed to the rich aromas of the cognac that help amplify and preserve the fresh pear elements.”
Belle de Brillet is available in the US with a SRP of $39.99 for a 700ml bottle.
Jennifer Lopez launches Delola spritzes and cocktails
Jennifer Lopez has founded The House of Delola: creating ‘unique, mixology-level ready-to-enjoy cocktails designed for elegant, effortless entertaining as part of a thoughtful lifestyle’.
Delola offers premium spirit-based, full-flavored, crafted cocktails that are made with natural botanicals, are gluten free and lower calorie than traditional cocktails, served in glass bottles.
The first release, “Delola Spritz” is available in three original cocktails. Bella Berry Spritz is made with berry, hibiscus and premium vodka; a full-bodied cocktail with notes of red berries, hibiscus and citrus. Paloma Rosa Spritz is made with grapefruit, elderflower and premium tequila; ‘an elevated Paloma with notes of ripe, luscious grapefruit, rich elderflower and a dash of salt’.
And L’orange Spritz is made with orange, passionfruit and premium amaro; ‘an ode to the Italian spritzes with notes of bright, delicious fruit perfectly balanced with the bitterness of amaro’.
Delola will be sold in fine grocery and spirits establishments, restaurants, and bars in the US beginning this month with a continued roll out throughout spring and plans for global expansion.
Lopez began developing Delola in 2020 in collaboration with drinks industry veterans, Ken Austin and Jenna Fagnan and her manager and business partner Benny Medina, also bringing in mixologist Lynnette Marrero.
All expressions contain approximately 110 calories or less per serving with an ABV of 10.5% to 11.5% ABV. Delola comes in 750ml (SRP $22.99) and 375ml (SRP $11.99) bottles.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits represents Delola in the US. Beam Suntory is a minority investor in Delola and has been named Delola’s global distribution partner.
Angry Orchard introduces blueberry rosé hard cider
US cider maker Angry Orchard is launching Blueberry Rosé Hard Cider: a 6% ABV drink that offers a ‘delicious divergence from the expected cider profile’.
“An evolution of the fan-favorite Angry Orchard Rosé Hard Cider, Blueberry Rosé breaks from the tried and true by combining the crisp, juicy flavors of Rosé with real blueberries to deliver a fruity twist on the classic,” says the brand.
“Blueberry Rosé features a curated blend of 10 traditional bittersweet and culinary apples that are balanced with real blueberry juice to create a bright, apple-forward cider with subtle blueberry notes and a ruby red hue.”
Chupa Chup's flavored milk
Australian dairy company Lactalis has teamed up with confectionery group Perfetti Van Melle to create a limited edition product that adds Chupa Chups’ strawberry & cream and choco & vanilla flavors to Breaka’s flavored milk for a limited time offering.
Each available in 600ml, the Breaka Chupa Chups Strawberry & Cream and Breaka Chupa Chups Choco & Vanilla flavored milks are available in Coles, Woolworths, independent grocers, petrol stations and convenience stores RRP $3.70.
“Inspired by the forever fun and best-selling Chupa Chups flavors, the Breaka Chupa Chups Strawberry & Cream flavored milk serves up a delicious creamy candy strawberry and cream flavor and the Breaka Chupa Chups Choco & Vanilla flavored milk is a mouth-watering creamy chocolate and caramelised vanilla taste sensation,” says Perfetti Van Melle.
Maiden Mill launches with alcohol-free ciders
UK alcohol-free cider Maiden Mill launches with two original presses.
Using traditional cider pressing methods in the heart of Somerset, Maiden Mill has ‘recreated the full-bodied flavour of full- strength ciders’ in two 0.5% ABV options.
Maiden Mill Voyage is a ‘golden medium cider with sweet green apple notes that refresh the taste buds’ while Maiden Mill Flyer is a ‘crisp cloudy medium dry cider, with a smooth and satisfying sweet taste’.
Ed Reed, co-founder of Maiden Mill said “The mindful drinking movement is going from strength to strength and over a quarter (29%) of UK drinkers say that they are ‘semi-regular’ drinkers of low and no alcohol products [Portman Group low and no report 2022].
“At Maiden Mill, our vision is to focus resource exclusively on production of exceptional, refreshing ciders with full body and satisfying taste but which, at 0.5% ABV, enable non-drinkers to enjoy the unmistakeable aroma and flavors of an authentic Somerset cider.
“Voyage and Flyer will form the core range of Maiden Mill with specials produced throughout the year to appeal to a wide range of cider drinkers and ensure that everyone can enjoy the refreshing, flavorsome taste of Somerset apples they crave.”
Maiden Mill Voyage is named in honor of maiden voyages – such as 102 settlers who boarded the Mayflower in Plymouth in 1620 – and Maiden Mill Flights is named in honor of maiden flights such as the Wright brothers and Amelia Earhart.
Maiden Mill Voyage and Flyer are available in 330ml glass bottle, are gluten & vegan free and the 0.5% ABV ciders are only 25Kcal per 100ml. The brand uses ingredients and packaging sourced in Somerset, with the whole process from growing the apples to warehousing taking place within a 25 mile radius.
