As summer approaches in the northern hemisphere, innovation is heating up. Look out for fruity flavors, summer vibes and refreshing drinks across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic sectors.
Our weekly round-up of beverage NPD reveals what is happening across the globe.
James Gin Asian Parsnip
TV Star James May of Top Gear and The Grand Tour fame is launching a sweet, spicy parsnip gin in UK supermarket Waitrose.
James May was once voted an ‘Icon of Gin’ by Gin Magazine, and has now created the new gin with the ‘Willy Wonka of gin making’, Master Distiller Hugh Anderson near the pub that James co-owns, the Royal Oak Swallowcliffe in Wiltshire.
“Any reasonably conceited TV presenter or Hollywood actor will eventually have a go at making a gin,” said May. “It’s easier than whisky and more interesting than vodka, which is tasteless and therefore pointless. I was conceited enough to try it. But, in my defence, my gin really is mine, not a cynical branding exercise.
“I came up with the idea of blending the flavor of parsnip (because it reminds me of England and its dampness) with Asian spices (because they add excitement). And so we created the unimaginatively named Asian Parsnip - celebrating both the homely flavour of that most English of root vegetables and the gastric stimulus of spices from India.”
James Gin Asian Parsnip has a 40% ABV and RRP £36.
Waterloo Gin
Waterloo Gin, the first gin brand to be distilled in Texas, is expanding into new US markets with an updated and modernized new package design.
The relaunch follows the brand’s acquisition from Treaty Oak Distilling last year by entrepreneur and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria, the self-made billionaire founder of Patrón Tequila and Paul Mitchell hair care.
The brand’s portfolio includes flagship Waterloo No. 9 Gin (94 proof) and the newly rebranded Waterloo Barrel-Aged Gin (also 94 proof). A new release in the Waterloo portfolio will be released this summer. Waterloo Gins are naturally 100% gluten, carb, and additive free.
Waterloo Gin is craft distilled in the Texas Hill Country town of Dripping Springs, near Austin. The brand was named after the original name for Austin – Waterloo – before the city was rechristened in the 1830s.
The new Waterloo Gin package was designed to evoke the vibrant beauty of Austin and the graceful charm of the surrounding Hill Country. The updated wood cork-topped bottle features an aesthetically striking taller design, and the new label is subtly adorned with images of grapefruit, lavender, and pecan, which are among the nine local fruits and botanicals vapor-infused to distill Waterloo Gin.
Akashi-Tai sake
Akashi-Tai, the UK’s number 1 artisanal Japanese sake brand, is expanding its range with the introduction of its Akashi-Tai Junmai Ginjo Sparkling Sake in a full 72cl bottle.
Handmade by Toji (Sake Master) Kimio Yonezawa (a fourth-generation sake maker continuing a legacy that began in 1856) the larger format is ideal for premium dining, special celebrations, and shared enjoyment, whether at home or in restaurants - perfect for any occasion.
Premium sake now accounts for 80% of total sake sales in the UK (Sake Portal). Akashi-Tai has seen strong performance across all channels of trade with a +42% year-on-year increase across the portfolio.
Crafted using the finest Gohyakumangoku rice and traditional brewing techniques, including second fermentation in the bottle similar to Champagne, Akashi-Tai Junmai Ginjo Sparkling Sake delivers a ‘refined balance of gentle sweetness, crisp acidity, and delicate effervescence’.
The 72cl bottle retails at £35.
ClawTails
White Claw is introducing ClawTails: a premium malt beverage made using the trademarked White Claw Cold Wave Filtered process.
ClawTails comes in four flavors with no artificial sweeteners and real juice at 7% ABV.
- ClawTails Strawberry Cosmo is ‘a vibrant, fruit-forward twist on the stylish cosmopolitan flavor.’
- ClawTails Mango Margarita is a ‘juicy, tropical take on the iconic margarita flavor’.
- ClawTails Blackberry Mojito comes with a blend of mint and dark berry notes.
- ClawTails Tropical Mai Tai is ‘lush and island-inspired with layers of citrus flavors’.
Lipton Fusions
Lipton Ice Tea is launching a new twist on a classic combo with Lipton Fusions: a lemonade iced tea infused with fruit flavor.
The drink comes in two flavors: strawberry lemonade and pineapple mango lemonade.
The new innovation contains 50% less sugar than regular sodas, and is available in 16 oz cans nationwide via Amazon and Walmart.
Lucky One Lemonade
Lucky One Lemonade, a new premium vodka-based, non-carbonated lemonade, is launching in the US.
Created in collaboration with viral ‘furluencer’ Miss Peaches (otherwise known as America’s favorite pit bull, adopted by businessman and social media personality Dave Portnoy), the new vodka lemonade has created a sessionable premium drink for consumers while also giving back to organizations supporting dog rescue.
Lucky One Lemonade is only 100 calories, gluten free and made with no added sugar, artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup. The Spirit of Gallo brand comes in four unique flavors: original, peach, blueberry and raspberry, which come in single flavor 4-packs (355mL cans, MSRP $10.99) and Variety 8-packs (355mL cans, MSRP $19.99).
African Originals G&T
African Originals, the Kenyan-based cider, spirits and soft drinks company, has launched the 5.8 Gin & Tonic.
The brand claims a first as the only ready-to-drink (RTD), locally-sourced gin and tonic in Kenya.
The only alcohol category to record international growth, RTD volumes are up 2% a year, with revenues also growing by 6% per annum. This trend is now reaching Africa, with a CAGR above 10%, significantly outpacing beer and wine.
In Africa, RTD growth is being driven by urban and increasingly affluent under 35s who are attracted by its sweet taste and lower alcohol content compared to hard spirits.
African Originals’ 5.8 Gin & Tonic uses botanics sourced by the Maasai tribe and fruits grown across Kenya.
Alex Chappatte, Founder and CEO of African Originals, said: “Our close relationship with local farmers and communities means that no one is better placed to translate the global RTD trend to Africa.”
African Originals is launching three varieties of the 5.8 Gin & Tonic. The Classic is made from baobab from Kilifi, a coastal Kenyan town. Very Berry is made from blueberries from Tigoni, located to the North West of Nairobi. And Spiced Orange is made from oranges and chilis from across the country.
Looking for more beverage NPD?
Last week's round-up of the hottest beverage innovations includes NPD from Suja Life and New Belgium Brewing.
