What's hitting the shelves: New beverage launches - from coffee to cashew soda
Modelo Spike Aguas Frescas
Following a test launch in Las Vegas, Modelo is expanding the availability of Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas into new markets across the US.
Starting March 1, the beverages (pictured above) will begin hitting shelves in 15 states, along with New York City and Chicago, which represent more than 80% of the national volume for Modelo.
Inspired by the traditional beverages found in Mexican street markets, Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas are described as a line of ‘vibrant, spiked, flavored malt beverages that fuels the fiesta with the bold, fruit-forward taste of authentic aguas frescas’.
Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas comes in four varieties: Piña (pineapple), Flor de Jamaica (hibiscus), Sandía (watermelon) and Pipino y Limón (cucumber lime). Both the variety pack and Pina 24oz became the #1 new multipack and single serve SKU in the FMB (flavored malt beverage) category in the Las Vegas trial.
All flavors come in at 171-197 calories, 20-25g of sugar, and 4.5% ABV.
Nespresso: Brazil Organic
Nespresso Professional launches Brazil Organic coffee for Origins range
Nespresso Professional has announced the launch of a Brazil Organic capsule: a new pure Arabica blend developed exclusively to complement the existing Origins Organic range.
Launching at the beginning of March, the new Brazil capsule will join flavors from Peru, Congo and Colombia as an addition to the collection.
The Brazilian Organic coffee is an ‘elegant, delicate, and pure Arabic blend with sweet notes echoing its origin’. Many Arabica beans take inspiration from the savannahs of the Cerrado Mineiro region, which gives the light hint of toasted grain and cereal, whereas others are from the hilltop plantations in Brazil’s southern Minas Gerais state, as well as São Paulo estates. This blend creates a smooth and mild coffee flavour, creating a unique profile for customers.
Cashew soda
Cajuína São Geraldo – a Brazilian soda with 5% juice from the fruits of native cashew trees – has launched its flagship beverage in 350ml cans.
The drink, popular in Brazil’s north-eastern states, has a unique flavor that comes not from the cashew nuts, but the cashew plant itself.
The drink is already available in PET and glass, but the company says the partnership with Canpack to introduce the drink into cans will help it grow at sales points such as shopping malls, airports, and cultural and sporting events.
The colourful new Cajuína São Geraldo cans feature ripe cashew fruits in red and yellow under a banner proclaiming: ‘O Sabor do Nordeste’ (The Taste of the Northeast) to sing out the regional origins of the product, as well as its unusual refreshing taste.
Caleño launches tropical non-alcoholic mojito can
UK non-alcoholic spirits brand Caleño has launched a non-alcoholic Mojito canned cocktail to join its range of tropical premixed cocktails.
The range offers drinkers ‘Ready to Party’ cocktails that are full of flavour, designed to be sipped at any social occasion.
The Mojito is one of the best selling cocktails in bars and restaurants across the UK and 77% of Brits now claim to be moderating their alcohol intake (No & Low 2023 KAM Report).
At 90 kcals per can, the Caleño Mojito cocktail can has no artificial flavorings, only natural sugars and ingredients and is suitable for vegans.
The Mojito will sit alongside Caleño’s existing non-alcoholic ‘Pineapple Piña Colada Spritz’ and ‘Passion Fruit Martini Spritz’ to make a trio of canned cocktails. All three are premixed with either Caleño's ‘Dark & Spicy’ or ‘Light & Zesty’ tropical non-alcoholic spirits for an added measure of Latina vibes.
Oatly Oatmilk Creamers
Oatly is expanding its North American portfolio with the launch of flavored oatmilk creamers.
Oatly Oatmilk Creamers come in four flavors: Sweet & Creamy, Vanilla, Caramel and Mocha.
With plant-based creamers up 13% in dollar sales and 9% in unit sales respectively (last 52 weeks, Neilsen), Oatly believes this move into flavored creamers will unlock a ‘strong opportunity’ to reach new and existing buyers.
Shoppers can expect to find Oatly Creamers in the refrigerated aisle of retailers across the US: including Walmart, Target, Albertsons, Kroger, Stop & Shop and more: with a suggested retail price of $5.99.
Oatly Creamers join the brand’s existing lineup of non-dairy milk alternatives available in North America, including Barista Edition, Original, Full Fat, Low Fat, Chocolate, and most recently introduced Super Basic and Unsweetened Oatmilks. All Oatly oatmilks and creamers sold in the US are free of the nine major allergens and are vegan, glyphosate-free, Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten Free Certified and Kosher Certified.
RTD cocktails
The Original Southside, an RTD cocktail made with a blend of premium gin, lemon and mint, has launched in the US.
The brand is designed to capture the spirit of the Roaring ‘20s and re-imagine it for a new generation of cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate sophistication without sacrificing convenience in an easy, ready-to-drink format.
Inspired by her mother’s homemade summer cocktail, affectionately called “Leah’s Summer Cooler,” a mixture of gin, lemonade and mint, The Original Southside founder Meredith Mills-Merritt set out to create a cocktail that encapsulates the essence of summer in every sip while paying homage to both the Southside recipes from the 1920s and her mother’s original recipe.
The results are a lightly sparkling RTD cocktail made with vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO ingredients, crafted with 100% sugar cane and with an ABV of 10%. It is available in a 4-pack for $24.99 USD.
El Mayor Tequila
Missouri, US-based Luxco, best known within Europe for its premium bourbon and rye whiskeys, is bringing El Mayor Tequila to UK and European shores.
In response to increased consumer demand for premium, artisanal tequilas, and the brand’s own 137% growth rate over the last seven years, wine trade show ProWein will be the first official brand showcase outside of the US.
Distilled at Destiladora Gonzalez Lux (DGL) in Arandas, Mexico, four El Mayor Tequila variants of will be introduced: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Cristalino. Every bottle of El Mayor is made with 100% estate-grown, Blue Weber agave from the valley area of Jalisco, Mexico, cut using the Jicama Jima technique for an unparalleled smooth taste.
Distribution of El Mayor Tequila (700ml) will be concentrated on high-demand tequila markets including Britain, Spain, France, and Germany. El Mayor Tequila RRP will range from £33-£45 / €39-€52.
Greg Mefford, International Sales Director, Luxco, said: “Launching a new product range to market, particularly within a different category, is always a thrill but the exciting European tequila landscape makes the introduction of El Mayor even more significant.
“Premium tequila is experiencing a meteoric rise as people start to realize the spirit’s true provenance and qualities, over previously being pigeonholed as a ‘slammer’ drink. Consumers thirst for the agave spirit provides the ideal time for education on how tequila is intended to be enjoyed – sipped and savored as the authentic Mexican way of drinking, mixed into beautiful celebratory cocktails, and paired with incredible foods. We’re excited to place El Mayor front and center within this next chapter of tequila’s history.”
El Mayor Tequila will be distributed by Lightbox Brands in the UK and Perola GmbH in Germany.
Kit NA Brewing unveils new look and new flavor
Non-alcoholic craft beer Kit NA Brewing has announced its latest launch: Get Set Wheat.
Get Set, originally an IPA, has undergone a transformation, now embracing refreshing profile of a wheat beer. Get Set Wheat is ‘bright and crushable with notes of orange peel and coriander, followed by a smooth, full-bodied finish’.
This relaunch aims to enhance the diversity of Kit’s portfolio, catering to a wider audience and meeting the growing demand for this craft beer style. Get Set Wheat is now being introduced by distribution partners along the East Coast, as well as available on Kit’s website and Amazon Prime. Get Set Wheat is available in both a 6-pack option, as well an inclusion within Kit’s Starter Variety 12-pack.
Additionally, Kit NA Brewing is launching its refreshing new look and new packaging which spans its entire portfolio of cans, 6-pack cartons, and 12-pack cartons.
The Kit NA Brewing styles of On Your Mark, Get Set, Here We Go and the Variety Pack now have a brighter, simpler look. Embodying vibrancy and approachability, the new packaging mirrors Kit NA Brewing's ethos of a bright and inviting culture while now prominently featuring the "non-alcoholic" call out on the rim to facilitate easier identification for consumers at any angle.
Dr Funk: Lemon & Elderflower
UK brand Dr Funk has launched Lemon & Elderflower Immune drink.
The blend of artisan sparkling water is infused with vitamins and minerals including Zinc, Vitamin C, D3, B6, B12, Niacin and Biotin.
Dr Funk takes inspiration from the original Professor Kazimierz Funk, a Polish biochemist who discovered vitamins in 1912.
The drinks contain no sugar, additives, colorings or preservatives. A can of Lemon & Elderflower contains 3.3 calories and 50% of your daily NRV (nutrient reference value).
