Tracking beverage NPD is essential for staying competitive in a fast-moving market. It helps businesses identify emerging trends, consumer preferences and innovation gaps.
Following the latest innovations helps brands benchmark against competitors, refine product strategies and respond quickly to new opportunities.
Our weekly NPD round-up looks at the very latest in beverage launches around the globe.
Powerade Xtra Sour
Powerade’s latest sports drinks innovation comes in the form of Powerade Xtra Sour: a limited time offer that will be available throughout the summer months while supplies last.
The drink comes in three flavors: cherry kicker, grape shocker and peach pucker.
The launch follow’s last summer’s Powerade Sour with an Xtra Sour twist, and comes with a social content challenge on TikTok.
Meanwhile, Xtra Sour Zero Sugar can be found exclusively at Wendy’s.
Powerade, a long-standing billion-dollar brand in the Coca-Cola portfolio, is the #2 sports drink in the US. With the 2021 acquisition of fellow sports drink Bodyarmor, Coca-Cola is reinvigorating both brands to make the most of the opportunities in the growing sports drink category.
Della Vite’s canned spritzes
Della Vite - the premium Prosecco brand founded by the Delevingne sisters - is expanding into RTD with a new collection of canned spritzes.
Drawing inspiration from Italy’s iconic aperitivo serves, the range spans the zesty freshness of a Sicilian Lemon Spritz, to the ripe fruitiness of a Venetian Bellini Spritz.
Each Spritz has been created with a base of an Italian white wine (made at the same winery that produces Della Vite Prosecco) which is then blended with the flavors and ingredients found in its region of origin.
The drinks are:
- Apertivo Spritz (10% abv) - vibrant, bittersweet
- Hugo Spritz (10% abv) - Elderflower and mint
- Sicilian Lemon Spritz (10% abv) - a zesty twist on the classic Limoncello
- Bellini Spritz (7.5% abv) - Velvety, fruity, white peach notes
- Aperiti-No Spritz (0% abv) - An alcohol-free Apertivo Spritz - citrusy and herbal
Premium vodka launches in Australia
Savage Rabbit, a spirit born in the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia, has launched in Austraia.
The premium spirit blends Eastern European vodka-making traditions with a modern edge. Produced using winter wheat and rye, the vodka is cooled to -3°C before undergoing a triple-filtration process through charcoal, silver and platinum.
On the nose, Savage Rabbit reveals subtle notes of grapefruit and warm pecan. The palate delivers a balance of crisp apple and juicy melon, layered with almond and a hint of white pepper. The finish is a silky butteriness, giving way to an elegant, clean finish that lingers just long enough to tempt another sip.
The spirit is distilled in Slovakia and inspired by the glacial purity of the Tatra Mountains. Designed to be served either neat or in cocktails, its visual identity includes a distinctive rabbit mask motif.
Arizona Tea: Watermelon Dragonfruit Splash Juice Cocktail
Arizona Tea has introduced a limited-time, exclusive release at Circle K: the Watermelon Dragonfruit Splash Juice Cocktail.
The summer special combines refreshing watermelon, exotic dragonfruit, juicy berry notes and a drizzle of honey.
Made with real juice and no artificial flavors, it can be enjoyed straight from the can or made into a simple summer mocktail with club soda, mint and a watermelon or dragonfruit garnish.
The LTO will be available at over 6,000 Circle K locations with two cans retailing at $2.50.
Non-alcoholic sparkling tea
Chalu, a new premium non-alcoholic sparkling tea brand, has made its debut in China.
Founded by tea expert Mia Sun and former Goose Island brew master Fraser Kennedy, the drink combines Yunnan’s storied tea heritage of the Tea Horse Road with craft techniques from the wine world.
The beverages are cold-brewed and then lightly aged on Yunnan oak for a complex flavor: tapping into demand for elegant, health-conscious alternatives to alcohol.
The new trio of Snow Jasmine, Volcano Oolong and Hibiscus Noir.
The sparking teas are launching in China this summer with a roll-out to Europe and the Middle East set to follow.
Naked Life launches in the US
Australian non-alcoholic brand, Naked Life, has made its debut in the US.
The brand claims an almost 50% share of non-alcoholic RTD occasions in Australia, and sees the same growth trends in the US.
The drinks are alcohol-free and zero sugar, and are crafted with distilled botanicals and real extracts. In the US, Naked Life is available for $9.99 per 4-pack in the following flavors: Mojito, Negroni Spritz, Classic G&T, Cosmo and Margarita.
The brand comes to the US via a strategic partnership with Molson Coors, with the drinks now available online, via Amazon, and in Total Wine and select West Michigan Meijer stores.
Plant-based protein shake
Plant-based nutrition brand, Kate Farms, has launched a high protein nutrition shake.
Clinically developed, the shake is designed to support muscle health, weight management and help navigate GLP-1 treatment.
The High Protein Nutrition Shake is made with 25g of plant-based protein, 6g of fiber, 27 essential vitamins and minerals and 160 calories and 0g sugar.
Ingredients are plant-based, organic, non-GMO and dairy, soy and gluten free; with no artificial colors or sweeteners.
The drink comes in strawberry and chocolate flavors.
Kate Farms was acquired by Danone this month: with the dairy major’s portfolio now including Nutricia, Real Food Blends and Functional Formularies.
