Ingredients

Alcohol brands are making billion-dollar ecommerce mistakes

13-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

US consumers spent $2.6bn buying alcohol online last year, but experts say it could be billions more. Alcohol ecommerce penetration is ‘abysmally low’ which Rabobank believes could have 'profound consequences' on the industry.

Cider association rebrands and highlights dry offerings

07-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

The United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM) was officially renamed to the American Cider Association (ACA) on December 31. It called 2019 ‘a year of resilience’ for cider in the face of flavored malt beverage (FMB) popularity.

Partake Brewing sees a ‘fundamental shift’ in perception of non-alcoholic brews

03-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

The non-alcoholic beer industry is growing steadily in North America, anchored by risk-taking brewers like Partake in Toronto. Wider acceptance has zero-proof IPAs cropping up in taprooms, bars and restaurants on both sides of the border.

Dry Soda and Sans Bar partner for sober bar pop-up tour across the US

03-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

A sober bar from Texas will take its alcohol-free drink partners and signature mocktails on tour to 15 cities across the US this year. It’s joined forces with ‘botanical bubbly’ Dry Soda in a shared mission to help people connect without alcohol.

Buonafide 0.0 imports alcohol-free Italian wine to Florida

03-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

Five varieties of zero-proof wine are now available at select Whole Foods in Florida, the first big retail expansion for Buonafide 0.0.

New year, new drinks: What to watch in US beverage in 2020 and beyond

02-Jan-2020 By Beth Newhart

What are the top beverage trends to look out for in 2020 and beyond? Flavors, textures and ingredients will all continue to evolve in the decade to come.

Koia to launch plant-based coffee in January with 'sharpened focus and sustained energy'

17-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

Plant-based protein shakes from Koia are expanding in the new year with a line of coffee drinks, made with plant-based protein, MCT oil and coconut milk.

No end in sight for US hard seltzer domination

16-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

US hard seltzer consumption is set to triple by 2023. But will consumers be able to support the stream of new launches? And can other global markets mimic the success of seltzer in the US?

Koios canned nootropic drink to be sold in over 10,000 retail locations by 2020

11-Dec-2019 By Jenny Eagle

Koios functional beverages has increased sales of its drinks and current estimates show it will be sold across more than 10,000 locations by 2020.

‘Breakthrough innovation’ rankings reward seltzers, coffee and energy

11-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

Nielsen’s annual Top 25 Breakthrough Innovation awards whittled down 45,000 CPG products and singled out five US beverages. Products from PepsiCo and Coca-Cola were among those gaining top honors; alongside hard seltzer success story White Claw.

'Premium level' RTD shots find new footing on-premise in Japan

06-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

New York-based LIQS Cocktail Shots is taking its growth international with November’s launch into Japan. Its lines of liquor-based and wine-based shots build their audience first on-premise at concerts, stadiums and festivals.

Single origin Aussie coffee liqueur 'puts real, specialty coffee on a pedestal'

06-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is delving into the craft side of coffee in Australia with its first limited batch sourced from single-origin beans. More releases are to come, made from coffee of different global regions.

World's first carbon-negative vodka says the spirits sector is 'ripe for disruption'

06-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

A US start-up has created vodka quite literally from thin air – using solar power to convert carbon from the air and convert it into alcohol. It’s now working with NASA to look at other opportunities for capturing carbon.

The ‘Keurig for cocktails’ teams up with big brands for personalized signature drinks

06-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

A new partnership with spirits and wine company Brown-Forman will bring classic liquors like Jack Daniels, Herradura and Chambord to the Drinkworks pod system in 2020, furthering at-home cocktail personalization.

Buddha Teas launches CBD Golden Milk

04-Dec-2019 By Jenny Eagle

Buddha Teas has launched a CBD Golden Milk ($39.99) range available across the US.

Better Booch goes 'against the grain' with horchata flavor and can packaging

03-Dec-2019 By Beth Newhart

Cinnamon, star anise and creamy rice combine with oolong tea for Better Booch’s newest kombucha flavor, Hola Horchata. It’s the first in a new line of out-of-the-box varieties set to launch in the US in early 2020.

Soylent will stick with soy base ‘for now’ and experiment with flavor variety

29-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

After years as an ecommerce brand associated with tech workers, Soylent is appealing to mass audiences and retail. New flavors Strawberry and Mint Chocolate indicate more diverse innovations to come.

Inaugural 'Small Brewery Sunday' bolsters US craft brewers

21-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

The Brewers Association (BA) announced its first Small Brewery Sunday in the US, a campaign designed to support the more than 7,500 local craft brewers across the country.

Viv&Oak to replace alcohol in rosé with THC and CBD

19-Nov-2019 By Jenny Eagle

Viv&Oak is launching its first two sparkling rosé wines next month, replacing the alcohol with THC and CBD, which takes effect in 10-15 minutes.

Rebbl to use 100% post-consumer recycled bottles in 2020

18-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

After six years in operation, plant-based US beverage brand Rebbl will eliminate virgin plastic from its bottles next year: one of the pledges made in its inaugural Impact Report.

Veggie cocktails and cheese tea: An early look at 2020 beverage trends

18-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

The first predictions are in for what’s to come in US beverage next year. A continued emphasis on health, wellness and sustainability will drive innovations.

World’s biggest Starbucks opens in Chicago

15-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

The newest Starbucks Reserve Roastery is the company’s largest location in the world, with five floors and more than 35,000 square feet. It opens its doors November 15 in downtown Chicago.

McDonald’s US coffee is now 100% sustainably sourced

14-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

After setting a target to achieve 100% sustainably sourced coffee by 2020, McDonald’s announced that it hit its goal a year ahead of time.

Truly will be the first hard seltzer served in-flight

12-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

In a new deal inked with JetBlue, Truly Hard Seltzer will be the first official alcoholic seltzer of a US airline. Starting this fall, the Wild Berry flavor will be available on all JetBlue flights.

Reign energy drinks drive strong Q3 at Monster Beverage

12-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

After the launch of Reign Total Body Fuel early in 2019, Monster Beverage has posted an 11.6% sales increase in the third quarter.

High protein Super Coffee cuts sugar and chases top competition

08-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

New York-based Super Coffee is now the number one independent coffee company in the US, the founders said. Their formula leverages MCT oil, whey protein concentrate and zero sugar.

Peppermint takeover: Seasonal holiday coffee returns to US chains

07-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

Major coffee chains in the US have reintroduced their seasonal offerings for the holidays, including new peppermint, caramel and mocha-flavored launches.

Coffee’s fifth wave continues to roll in US cafes

06-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

The Allegra World Coffee Portal’s 2020 predictions for the US coffee landscape shows continued growth in mobile ordering, social media marketing and still more cold brew.

Fruit-forward mead for wine lovers: ‘It’s just a matter of how and when’

05-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

A craft meadery from Long Island wants to break mead out of home brewing and into the mainstream, leveraging fruit flavors over honey.

Optimizing alcohol for ecommerce: ‘How easy do you make it for people?’

05-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

Online sales represent less than 1% of alcohol’s total US sales, but it’s a fast-growing category that retailers are still trying to crack. A clean digital presence with simple navigation is key, experts say.

Otto's CBD cider opens alcohol alternative market to new categories

05-Nov-2019 By Beth Newhart

In the land of CBD alcohol alternatives, beer holds the most market share. Mirth Provisions is working to expand the US industry with its CBD-infused apple cider, available soon in 19 states.

Session wine: US wine brand Saturday Session taps into the casual wine revolution

31-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

The low alcohol movement is spurring a new category: session wine. Saturday Session’s 5.5% ABV cans hope to make wine more accessible in daytime drinking occasions.

Two Roots bets on alcohol-free IPAs: Brands have 'finally figured out the taste'

31-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

After taking on the US cannabis industry with THC and CBD infused beer-like beverages, Two Roots Brewing has now leveraged its alcohol-removed beer formula for the low-to-no alcohol space.

Familiar Western megatrends drive India's beverage industry

30-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

India’s economy is shifting to a strong middle class, giving rise to more premium, ethical and personalized products. Beverage brands are adapting to these trends similar to what’s popular in Western markets.

CBD now has ‘a life of its own’ and a former Coca-Cola exec wants to lead the category

29-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

Docklight Brands is on its way to having a complete portfolio of CBD brands, including several beverages, edibles and skincare topicals. CEO Damian Marano is trying to cross categories and be the first total consumer products company in CBD.

Good Hemp launches CBD plant-based milk in a UK category first

24-Oct-2019 By Jenny Eagle

Good Hemp is launching the first CBD plant-based milk in the UK.

Coffee consumers won’t give up indulgence, though cold brew still grows

23-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

Coffee brands have leaned into the cold brew trend in recent years: offering canned nitro cold brew, pre-mixed lattes and other versions of chilled RTD coffee. But consumers still haven’t abandoned their indulgent drinks.

Truly Hard Seltzer reformulates for fall

15-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

Truly has reformulated its 13 flavors of hard seltzer to make them ‘crisper and more refreshing,’ and will add four new SKUs with a flavored lemonade line.

‘Oath’ milk alternative delivers plant protein power

15-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

A new organic oat-based beverage is set to launch in the US as a high-protein milk alternative. Oath sources its protein from almonds, pumpkin seeds and oats.

Coca-Cola launches 28 SKUs at NACS: ‘There’s no channel better to start in than convenience’

11-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

Proving its power as a total beverage company, Coca-Cola North America showcased 28 new SKUs at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show this month in Atlanta. Energy, coffee, tea, juice, water and more hit the expo floor.

‘We’re trying to disrupt categories that we go into’: Nestlé turns Outshine fruit bars into coconut water

10-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

After years of success with Outshine frozen fruit bars, Nestlé USA is crossing categories with its new coconut water beverages. It rounds out its c-store portfolio, all on display at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show in Atlanta...

C-store beverages: What’s new at NACS?

10-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

The National Association of Convenience Stores has been meeting since 1961, and today the expo covers more than 400,000 square feet. The 2019 show was held in Atlanta October 2-4, bringing together retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and exhibitors from...

Canned kombucha KÖE gears up for relaunch

08-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

After a year testing in small markets and tweaking its formulation, KÖE is planning a relaunch of its shelf-stable kombucha for early 2020.

Decafino opens the coffee world to decaf drinkers on-the-go

01-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

A pouch that can decaffeinate brewed beverages like coffee and tea has been developed by a chemical engineer from the University of Washington. Decafino’s commercial launch is planned for May of 2020 in the US.

Craft brewing contributes $79bn a year to US economy

01-Oct-2019 By Beth Newhart

Craft brewers contributed $79.1bn to the US economy and employed 559,545 people in 2018, according to the latest figures from the Brewers Association.

"The benefits of hemp are timeless": CBD tea follows coffee launch from Willie Nelson

30-Sep-2019 By Beth Newhart

Willie’s Remedy, a CBD company co-founded by American singer Willie Nelson, is rolling out more varieties in its line of CBD-infused loose leaf tea.

Celebrity tequila vs small craft brands: an ‘ultra premium’ battle

24-Sep-2019 By Beth Newhart

Following the landmark success of George Clooney’s tequila brand Casamigos, a crop of celebrities have tried to mimic its popularity with their own labels in the US. But can the trend last and hold up against small label, craft tequilas?

Gen X holds more potential in alcohol than millennials

23-Sep-2019 By Beth Newhart

Most food and beverage categories direct their marketing strategy toward millennials and the upcoming Gen Z generations, largely disregarding everyone older than 40. Experts say it’s the wrong move.

The last 30 years in beverages: How have consumers changed?

16-Sep-2019 By Beth Newhart

While soda may have dominated shelves in the 1990s, today’s shoppers are seeking increasingly sophisticated functional beverages. Data company Kantar has analyzed consumer behavior in a new report that highlights the last three decades in the US beverage...

Australian cold brew coffee spreads in the US

16-Sep-2019 By Beth Newhart

Bluestone Lane’s Australia-inspired cafe chain is its expanding its beverage options with ready-to-drink iced coffee and cold brew, including a partnership with Elmhurst 1925.