Prepared Foods showcases new beverages making a debut in 2020.

PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., greeted this spring with several additions in the company’s Naked beverages line.

Offerings include two new flavors in the Half Naked line: Mango Almond and Berry Almond. Consumers want to reduce sugar intake and these new products deliver lower sugar by blending almond milk and fruit juice with no added sugar. Half Naked Mango Almond and Half Naked Berry Almond are Non-GMO Project Verified and have 50% less sugar than the leading smoothie. Suggested retail price (SRP) is $3.39 per 15.2oz bottle.

Naked Plant Protein drinks are fruit juice blends made with 18g of plant protein per 15.2oz. bottle. Available in two flavors—Peach Mango and Blueberry Banana—Naked Plant Protein utilizes a blend of soy protein isolate and pea protein concentrate. These provide protein that helps deliver the nine essential amino acids in a form the body can absorb. The products are Non-GMO Project Verified and carry a SRP of $3.79.

New Naked Tropical Guava is a 100% juice smoothie that blends guava with other exotic fruits such as pineapple, kiwi, and orange. Tropical Guava is Non-GMO Project Certified, kosher, gluten free and vegan. It carries a SRP of $3.39 per 15.2oz bottle.

SIMPLE, REFRESHING - WITH A SPLASH

Pernod Ricard USA, New York, N.Y., says consumers can “unleash their sunny spirit” with Malibu’s newest sparkling malt beverage, which packs great taste in a portable package. Crafted to be sipped straight from the can, new Malibu Splash is made-to-chill and ready-to-drink for “an instant summer thrill.”

“We know consumers want simple and refreshing tasting drinks for casual occasions with friends,” says Troy Gorczyca, brand director, Malibu. “And with Malibu being the #1 most talked about rum brand in summer 2019 and seeing the healthy growth over the last few years, Malibu Splash is a great opportunity for us to bring the refreshing taste of summer that consumers love to a new, innovative product that is easy to enjoy!”

Conveniently packaged in 12oz slim cans, Malibu Splash comes in four flavors including Strawberry, Lime, Passion Fruit, and Pineapple. Each malt-based beverage has 5% alcohol by volume (ABV). The new drinks are sold in four-packs for a MSRP of $8.99 and in flavor-variety eight-packs for an MSRP of $16.99.

“We’re excited to grow our fan base with this ready-to-drink product and bring consumers everywhere a taste of summer, and, a Splash of fun!” adds Gorczyca.

Malibu Splash can be found in beer aisles at national, regional and local grocery stores as well as package stores. Pernod Ricard USA is a premium spirits and wine company and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA.

ADDING ON-TREND GINGER TO LEMON-LIME BASE

The Coca-Cola Company’s Sprite brand expanded with a hit of ginger flavor to its lemon-lime base.

New Sprite Ginger is available nationwide in 20oz and 2-liter bottles as well as 12oz can 12-packs. Sprite Ginger Zero Sugar also is available nationwide in 12oz cans. Officials say the drink was developed in “response to the surging popularity of ginger-flavored sparkling drinks, and to Americans’ thirst for genre-bending brands and experiences—from beverages, to music, to fashion.”

“With every sip, you’ll get the crisp, refreshing cut-through of lemon-lime up front, balanced with a hit of ginger on the back-end,” says Mark Shorey, brand manager, Sprite. “The Sprite Ginger launch is all about reinvention… reimagining the signature attributes Sprite fans know and love, with something new and unexpected.”

Sprite is no stranger to creative flavor extensions. Over the years, officials say the brand has introduced several popular limited-edition and permanent-rotation variants—from the Coca-Cola Freestyle-inspired Sprite Cherry, to Sprite Tropical Mix, to Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry. 

Coca-Cola notes that Sprite Lymonade, a Sprite/lemonade mashup, helped fuel the trademark’s sixth consecutive year of growth in 2019.

“And we’re confident Sprite Ginger will continue this momentum by tapping into consumers’ desire for beverages that defy categorization,” adds Aaliyah Shafiq, brand group director, Sprite. “This trend crosses over to pop culture, too, where artistic collaborations continue to pique curiosity.”

Since its June 2019 acquisition, Bolthouse Farms, Bakersfield, Calif., says it has focused on being an innovation leader. This spring finds the company introducing as many as 25 new items with line extensions, new flavors and entries into entirely new categories.

With keto currently the No. 1 diet and approximately one-in-five American adults interested in trying it, the company developed Bolthouse Farms Protein Keto ready-to-drink protein beverages. The Protein Keto line up debuted in February in Dark Chocolate, Coconut, Coffee and Matcha flavors.

Bolthouse Farms BOLTS are functional shots that pack a powerful punch. Officials say this line of five functional shots—including Immunity, Digestion, Energy, Wellness and Metabolism—will be offered at an accessible price point.

In another move, Bolthouse Farms added a new Protein Plus Dutch Chocolate Banana flavor to its popular Protein Plus line up. The new flavor provides 30g of protein, 21 vitamins and minerals and no artificial flavors or colors.

With leading share of the carrot juice beverage market, consumers know Bolthouse Farms’ expertise in the category. The introduction of Carrot Ginger Turmeric juice brings this expertise to a higher functional carrot juice.

ADDING SUPERFRUIT FUNCTION, APPEAL

Shamrock Farms, Phoenix, greeted the new year with two additions to its Rockin’ Protein line of ready-to-drink beverages. Officials say the new Rockin’ Protein Plus drinks combine the benefits of protein and superfruits with milk. 

“Health-conscious consumers are more proactive than ever when it comes to wellness, and that trend continues to drive the demand for functional beverages,” said Ann Ocaña, Shamrock Farms chief marketing officer. “Rockin’ Protein Plus is an all-in-one option that brings superfruits together with milk, delivering the protein consumers need and flavor they love with the added health benefits they want.”

Ocaña says Rockin’ Protein Plus offers high-quality protein, no added sugars and is lactose free. It expands upon the popular beverage line with two new smooth flavors: Cherry Crème and Blueberry Pomegranate.

Cherry Crème is considered an excellent source of protein and calcium with the added benefit of tart cherries. The ready-to-drink protein beverage offers more than 35 Montmorency tart cherries per bottle, the company says. Ocaña notes that growing evidence supports the science and benefits of tart cherries—including anti-inflammation, exercise recovery and improved sleep. 

Ocaña says Blueberry Pomegranate is packed with antioxidants, which help fight free radicals and support a healthy immune system. The company says a 12oz serving provides an excellent source of protein and vitamins A, C and E.

Shamrock Farms’ full line of on-the-go Rockin’ Protein beverages are sold nationwide at select Target, Albertson’s, Safeway, Walmart, Bashas and Jewel-Osco stores.