New Name in Water

PepsiCo introduced Gatorade Water, the brand’s first unflavored premium hydration water.

"Today's athletes are more wellness-minded than ever, and they expect Gatorade to meet all of their hydration needs, 24/7," said Anuj Bhasin, chief brand officer at Gatorade.

Officials say Gatorade Water is alkaline with a pH of 7.5 or higher and “electrolyte infused.” It also comes in bottles made from 100% recycled plastic. Product comes in 1L bottles for all-day hydration (suggested retail price $2.39-$2.99) and 700ml bottles with a sport cap (suggested retail price $1.99-$2.69).

Fruit Forward

Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Boston, introduced several new lines within just a few months from fall 2023 through early 2024.

Ocean Spray greeted the new year with Revl Fruits, a premium juice in four varieties: Boldly Cran, Tart Cherry, Berry Wild, and Truly Tropical. All products contain a splash of coconut water, are 100% juice, have 25% less sugar than leading competitors, and have no GMOs or added sugar. Items come in 32oz Tetra Pak packaging made from mostly plant-based materials. Depending on flavor, Revl Fruits SRPs are between $4 to $8.

Last November brought Ocean Spray Zero Sugar, the brand’s first with 0g of sugar, and no artificial sweeteners. Two varieties are Cranberry and Mixed Berry. Both feature real fruit juice and are sweetened with stevia.

Collagen Tea

Pretty Tasty Tea, New York, N.Y., launched this January with Pretty Tasty Collagen Tea, a beauty beverage supporting skin, hair, joint and nail care. It debuted in raspberry and peach flavors and came back in March with new stick packs and two additional canned varieties: Lemon, and Black Tea.

The company says its ready-to-drink offerings feature collagen peptides, natural carrots and black currants for color as well as stevia leaf extract for light sweetening. A single-serve, 45-calorie can includes the recommended daily amount of collagen peptides, 10g of protein with no artificial colors and no major allergens.

Prebiotic Power

Kombucha maker Health-Ade LLC, Los Angeles, branched into more functional beverages with new SunSip by Health-Ade, a prebiotic soda.

The new soda launched in four flavors: Raspberry Lemonade, Cherry Cola, Strawberry Vanilla and Root Beer. Each flavor has 5g of sugar and uses fruit juice, monk fruit, and a touch of cane sugar to sweeten its bubbles without stevia. The drinks also feature prebiotics from agave inulin fiber, vitamins and minerals. They debuted at Whole Foods nationwide with plans to expand into multiple retailers in April 2024. Suggested retail is $2.49.

Organic Hydration

Recover Sports LLC, Los Angeles, says its new RECOVER 180 hydration sports drink is the only USDA Organic certified product. Varieties include Super Berry, Peach Mango, Fruit Punch, Watermelon and Lemon Lime.

Founder Lance Collins says RECOVER 180's formulation combines coconut water with a blend of electrolytes and vitamins, and organic flavors. It also contains organic elderberry and is fortified with vitamins A and E. Each bottle contains only 15 calories, which Collins describes as “a remarkable departure” from traditional sports beverages.

Consumers can find RECOVER 180 nationwide at Sprouts Farmers Market, QuikTrip, and Amazon as well as regionally through King Soopers, Fred Meyer, Smiths and more. RECOVER 180 is available in 16.9 floz bottles ($2.49-2.79) or a 16oz 12-pack on Amazon ($29.99).

Fruity Meets Fizzy

Talking Rain Beverage Co., Preston, Wash., partnered with Mars Incorporated to develop Sparkling Ice STARBURST, a new zero-sugar beverage. The new line comes in the candy's four original flavors: Cherry, Lemon, Orange, and Strawberry.

"Our Sparkling Ice product development team knew Sparkling Ice STARBURST would bring a huge level of excitement to consumers with this flavorful collaboration," said Tatyana Osipovs, Talking Rain's director of new product development. "We spent months recreating that creamy, candy mouthfeel in addition to capturing all flavors of the STARBURST fruit chew candies in the Sparkling Ice beverage.”

Ultimate Athlete

Uncle Matt's Organic, Clermont, Fla., extended its Ultimate Shots line with an Uncle Matt's Organic Ultimate Athlete Pre-Workout Shot, “aimed to boost athletic performance, hydrate and reduce oxidative stress—all in one gulp.”

Officials say the 2oz shot was formulated with the Denver Broncos' in-house chef and is a proprietary blend of organic beets, orange juice, coconut water, ginger, and lemon juice. Suggested retail for one 2oz shot is $3.49 - $3.99. A case of six 2oz shots is $24 direct from Uncle Matt's Organic.

Mental Boost

PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., extended its Rockstar Energy Drink line with Rockstar Focus, which uses Lion’s Mane and other ingredients to additional mental boost. Three sugar-free, 12oz flavors are Lemon Lime, White Peach, and Orange Pineapple. Each delivers 200mg of caffeine. Suggested retail is $2.99 per can.

“Our fans have always relied on our products for energy, but we knew there was also an opportunity to create a product that could give a mental boost and support focus," said Fabiola Torres, PepsiCo general manager and chief marketing officer, Energy Category. "Additionally, we found that 64% of our consumers share a heavy interest in the ingredient, Lion's Mane. With these clear insights, our team was able to transform and expand our portfolio of offerings to include the revolutionary, new Rockstar Focus."

High Energy

Guayaki, Inc., Sebastopol, Calif., extended its High Energy yerba mate line with a new flavor: Berry Lemonade.

Officials say the offering balances tart lemon and sweet strawberry flavors. Meanwhile, Guayakí Yerba Mate is brewed with caffeinated leaves from a native species of holly tree, known as Ilex paraguariensis, from South America’s Atlantic Forest. Each Berry Lemonade contains 150mg of caffeine and real fruit juices. Each can also has just 20 calories and 2g of sugar. Suggested retail is $2.99-$3.99 at retail.

Prebiotic Benefit

Gut health specialist NextFoods, Boulder, Colo., extended its GoodBelly line into prebiotic sparkling waters.

Officials say GoodBelly Prebiotic Sparkling Waters feature organic, blue agave as a good source of fiber (3g), and zero added sugar (20 calories or less) in every serving. The three debut flavors are Mixed Berry, Lemon Lime and Mango Pineapple and each is made with real fruit juice. The waters also are certified organic, Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free and kosher.