Innovation moves fast in the beverage industry. Keeping up to speed with the latest creations is crucial to staying aware, agile and competitive in the sector.
Some beverage innovators are riding the wave of today’s top consumer trends: others are looking ahead and are setting themselves up to be ready for the next big trends. Learning about the newest ingredients, launches and regulations that impact both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages shows how the industry is evolving.
Whether you’re looking for new ideas for R&D or simply want to stay on top of what’s happening across the beverage industry, our weekly NPD round-up is here to enthuse and inspire.
This week’s edition includes RTD tea, hydrid whisky innovations, decaf coffee, better-for-you energy drinks, the latest launch in travel retail and more.
Jack Daniel’s: Strawberry punch
Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails has launched its newest flavor, strawberry punch.
The new launch debuts in a single-flavor six pack across the US this spring.
Blended with strawberry flavor, citrus notes and light carbonation, the 4.8% ABV flavored malt beverage delivers a light and easy-to-drink experience.
Other flavors in the Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails series include Southern Peach, Lynchburg Lemonade and Black Jack Cola.
Lemonade and sweet tea
Milo’s Tea Company, a US refrigerated tea and lemonade brand, has launched three new flavors: strawberry lemonade, raspberry lemonade and lemon sweet tea.
The trio contain no caffeine, preservatives, artificial flavors, added colors, acids or dyes.
Strawberry lemonade and raspberry lemonade are now available at select Walmart stores in gallon sizes ($4.26 SRP). Meanwhile, 20 oz. ($1.68 SRP) and half gallon ($2.98 SRP) sizes are available at select retailers across the Southeast, including Piggly Wiggly and Ingles.
Lemon Sweet Tea is rolling out in 20 oz. and gallon sizes at select grocery stores across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, including Piggly Wiggly, Ingles, Safeway, ACME, King’s, and Balducci’s, with prices ranging from $1.68–$4.26 SRP.
Plymouth Honey
The UK’s Plymouth Gin is launching Plymouth Honey: a gin that’s ‘gentle on the palate with golden honey and vanilla notes, alongside a juniper and citrus finish’.
At 41.2%, Plymouth Honey can be enjoyed as a twist on the classic gin & tonic or in cocktails.
Now available in the US, the gin is made in England’s oldest working distillery which is located on the south-west coast.
Coffee and whisky collab
Scottish businesses, The Coffee Apothecary and Still Spirit, have joined forces for a new release.
Their collab combines quality coffee beans with 12-year-old blended whisky for a limited edition product.
Udny-based whisky retailer, Still Spirit provided an empty cask from their latest whisky bottling to neighboring business, The Coffee Apothecary to use as a vessel for resting their coffee beans.
The beans were turned daily to infuse the coffee with a kick of whisky character blending the warmth of the whisky with notes of brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and orchard fruits, and the depth and character of Colombian coffee.
The coffee beans were then removed from the cask, featuring new tasting notes of Christmas pudding, vanilla fudge and mixed peel and roasted at The Coffee Apothecary onsite roastery.
Zoa Lemon Lime
Zoa Energy’s Lemon Lime flavor is back by popular demand: now exclusively available on Amazon.
The flavor is described as a ‘modern twist on a timeless classic’: delivering bright, nostalgic taste for today’s consumers. It’s infused with ZOA’s blend of electrolytes, B and C vitamins, caffeine from green tea and green coffee beans and no sugar.
Lemon Lime joins a portfolio which includes Cherry Limeade, Frosted Grape, Green Apple, Mango Splash, Strawberry Watermelon, Tropical Punch, White Peach and Wild Orange.
Zoa Energy says it stands apart in the energy drink category by combining caffeine with electrolytes that support hydration. Its formula includes potassium and magnesium to replenish as it energizes.
Dolcevita Decaf
Lavazza North America has debuted Dolcevita Decaf: a premium decaffeinated coffee.
Joining the existing Dolcevita line, Dolcevita Decaf is crafted to preserve a deep flavor profile and aroma, ‘proving that decaf coffee doesn’t have to be a compromise’.
Dolcevita Decaf is a medium roast with a rich, smooth flavor and velvety body, featuring notes of chocolate and caramel.
The new brew is now available at select retailers across the US and via Lavazza online.
Cointreau Cocktail Cities Collection
Rémy Cointreau has unveiled its new Cointreau Cocktail Cities Limited Edition Collection.
The Travel Retail-exclusive series celebrates six iconic cocktails and destinations: Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney, Dubai, Paris and London.
The city-specific designs showcase a classic ‘paired’ cocktail. These are the Sidecar for London; the Margarita for Sydney and Melbourne; the Singapore Sling for Singapore; the Mimosa for Paris; and the Cosmopolitan for Dubai.
Described as the perfect gift for Cointreau aficionados and cocktail enthusiasts, each bottle in the collection is etched with a fun, emblematic feature of the city it represents, intertwined with the signature Cointreau orange.
