A Look at New Beverages Making a Debut in June 2018

Prepared Foods showcases new beverages including teas, beer, drinkable yogurt, kombucha and more. Packaged Facts eyes beverage trends. Imbibe identifies better-for-you beverage ingredients.

Agavemente is a traditional lager brewed with hibiscus and agave to give the beer a vibrant magenta hue and a crisp, dry finish.

As beer drinkers seek more interesting flavor profiles, SouthNorte Beer Co., San Diego, has ramped up product development to bridge two cultures. Building off the momentum of its Sea Señor Mex Lager and No Güey Mango IPA, SouthNorte just introduced Agavemente.

Officials say Agavemente “captures the technical skills of a well-crafted lager, with the vibrancy and fun of a traditional Mexican beverage.”

“Living in San Diego, it’s easy to find great aguas frescas on both sides of the borders,” says Brewmaster Ryan Brooks. “One of my favorites is the agua de jamaica because it’s not too sweet and has a beautiful color. I wanted to capture that essence in a beer.”

Agavemente is a traditional lager brewed with hibiscus and agave to give the beer a vibrant magenta hue and a crisp, dry finish. The beer also took the bronze medal in the Specialty category at the industry’s prestigious Great American Beer Festival in 2017—proving that winners don’t always follow the rules.

Agavemente launched in May throughout San Diego in six-pack cans. Each 12oz serving has 6.3% ABV and 20 IBU.

At various retail outlets, Stoli Cucumber will be sold with Tajín chile seasoning affixed to the bottle, providing a zesty garnish to coat the rims of glasses.

Stoli Group USA, LLC, New York, N.Y., makers of Stoli Vodka, began shipping its latest flavored vodka, Stoli Cucumber, in late April and “just in time for summer,” the company says.

Stoli recommends signature drinks such as a Stoli Cucumber Spritz, Cucumber Martini, Cucumber Mule, and a Cucumber Bloody Mary. At various retail outlets, Stoli Cucumber will be sold with Tajín chile seasoning affixed to the bottle, providing a zesty garnish to coat the rims of glasses.

“Stoli has the best flavored vodkas on the market, an important and strategic segment of the overall Stoli business,” says Russell Pareti, Stoli Group USA senior vice president of marketing. “We recognized an opportunity for a high-quality premium cucumber vodka, given the rise in demand for this fresh taste in cocktails.”

Other Stoli flavored vodkas include Raspberry, Orange, Blueberry, Peach, Citrus, Strawberry, Vanilla, Crushed Ruby Red Grapefruit, Crushed Mango, Crushed Pineapple, Salted Caramel and Jalapeno.

Stoli Cucumber is 75 proof, or 37.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), for a suggested retail price of $19.99 for a 750ml.

Shaka says it offers the first line of Hawai’i-grown, iced teas on the market brewed with mamaki, an herbal tea only found in the Hawaiian archipelago.

Shaka Tea, Honolulu, Hawaii, used Natural Products Expo West spring to announce national US distribution plans; unveil a reformulation with new bottle and graphics design; and introduce a fourth flavor variety. Shaka says it offers the first line of Hawai’i-grown, iced teas on the market brewed with mamaki, an herbal tea only found in the Hawaiian archipelago.

Officials said the rebrand features a more prominent shaka logo, unified design elements and move to an elongated, 14oz bottle. The rebrand also supports an updated formulation, which has Shaka Tea, a no added sugar product, now using monk fruit for a touch of sweetness. 

“We launched believing in the power of the Hawaiian brand and desire to offer an authentic, clean-label product that can be enjoyed by consumers of all ages. After listening to customer and retailer feedback, weʻve spent time refining our flavors and brand identity on our home turf over the past 18 months,” says Bella Hughes, Shaka Tea president and co-founder.

Shaka Tea also introduced its fourth flavor, Lemon Lokelani Rose. Officials say the flavor “marries the floral note of rose, inspired by the Hawaiian Lokelani rose and flower of Maui, with tart, refreshing lemon.” Lemon Lokelani Rose joins Guava Gingerblossom, Mango Hibiscus and Pineapple Mint, the company’s original, three flavors.

PepsiCo rolled out its Drinkfinity personalized beverage program in the US, four years after it debuted in Brazil.

This year finds PepsiCo rolling out its Drinkfinity personalized beverage program in the US, four years after it debuted in Brazil.

As developed by a team in Miami, Drinkfinity (www.Drinkfinity.com) uses a specially designed, reusable, BPA-free vessel. To created their own beverage blends with a variety of flavors, consumers use the special bottle and simply “Peel, Pop and Shake” to combine water with pre-measured dry and liquid ingredients, which come in portable pods.

“Drinkfinity is a delicious new beverage option that allows today’s busy consumer the unique opportunity to personalize a drink based on their individual preferences and unique lifestyle needs,” says Hernan Marina, vice president, global business innovation, Drinkfinity.

Each portable Drinkfinity pod falls within one of four “modes,” including:

• Charge: Get charged up with green coffee extract. Consumers might use these pods in the morning to jump start the day. One pod contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
• Flow: Power the day with vitamins C & E
• Renew: Throw these in a gym bag to bounce back with electrolytes
• Chill: Relax and retreat with botanicals

Within each “mode” there are multiple flavor profiles, such as Açaí, Pomegranate Ginger, Elderflower and Coconut Water Watermelon, which are made up of dry and liquid ingredients like chia seeds, acai fruit, ginger root extract and concentrated fruit juices.

The dry and liquid ingredients within each pod are sealed separately in dual chambers until the beverage is mixed with cold water in the Drinkfinity vessel to create a 20oz. beverage.

www.drinkfinity.com

Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Inc. debuted a line of drinkable low-fat Alove brand aloe vera Japanese-style yogurts in three flavors: Original Aloe Vera, Coconut, and Strawberry Banana.

Already known for its spoonable yogurts, Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Inc., (MNF) Torrance, Calif., used Natural Products Expo West to debut a line of drinkable low-fat Alove brand aloe vera Japanese-style yogurts in three flavors: Original Aloe Vera, Coconut, and Strawberry Banana.

“Retailers were eager to have a drinkable aloe vera yogurt option after receiving a hugely positive reception from shoppers after our initial launch of introducing our aloe vera spoonable yogurt to the US, which has been popular in Japan since we first debuted there in 1994,” says Hiroyuki Imanishi, president and CEO of Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Inc. “This new low-fat yogurt is a great addition to the Alove line for those yogurt-lovers who prefer drinkables and enjoy its no-utensil convenience.”

Morinaga says the 7oz bottles feature smooth, low-fat Japanese-style yogurt with the same aloe vera gel pieces featured in the original Alove yogurt line. MNF says it uses a proprietary process to remove the best pieces of aloe vera gel from premium aloe vera plant leaves, which are then mixed with a uniquely smooth and silky, Japanese-style low-fat yogurt in a drinkable format. Alove drinkable low-fat yogurt is kosher, has no artificial flavors, and aloins not detected.

Alove aloe vera yogurt is currently available in more than 450 stores, with distribution rapidly expanding nationwide from the West Coast. In other news, MNF added three more flavors to its cup yogurt line—Peach Kiwi and Vanilla—to extend the line to six varieties.

Kombucha category pioneer GT’s Living Foods introduced a limited-time spring offering, called, "Bloom."

Kombucha category pioneer GT’s Living Foods, Los Angeles, introduced a limited-time spring offering, called, “Bloom.”

“The seasonal exclusive delivers a light, crisp, and floral flavor combining fresh
Elderflower, Jasmine, and Violet,” the company says. Officials note that—as with all other GT Kombucha flavors—Bloom is organic, raw and “naturally effervescent with billions of living probiotics and lovingly handcrafted in small batches.”

GT’s Bloom Kombucha is shipping to retailers nationwide and will be available through June 30. Product comes packaged in screen-printed, collectible bottles that communicate the spirit of the campaign with a variety of inspirational words set within the wings of a butterfly.

In conjunction, GT’s says it has teamed up with the Born This Way Foundation. During the promotion, months, GT’s Living Foods will encourage its community to post a selfie on social media with any GT’s bottle, and tag it with #InFullBloom. For each photo posted, GT’s Living Foods will donate $5 to Born This Way Foundation—and up to $50,000—to help empower youth and inspire bravery.

“All people have the power to grow and evolve, and our intention with this campaign is to motivate people to be the best version of themselves,” says GT Dave, CEO and founder of GT’s Living Foods. “We are truly honored to collaborate Bloom with Born This Way Foundation, and encourage our communities to support one another.”

Fluid Situation

Formulating a new drink? Consider four key beverage trends.

While seemingly overshadowed by the whirlwind developments in the food segment, innovation and trends in the beverage market are equally impressive and just as likely to resonate for years to come.

Market researcher Packaged Facts released its “US Beverage Market Outlook 2018,” and analyzes seven leading categories in retail packaged beverages, including Bottled and Enhanced Waters; Carbonated Beverages; Energy & Sports Drinks; Juices; Coffee & Ready-To-Drink Coffee; Tea & Ready-To-Drink Tea; and Dairy Beverages & Non-Dairy Milk Alternatives.

Here are four of Packaged Facts’ key growth trends for the US beverage market.

Crossing Categories: The trend toward crossing one beverage category with another is well underway and appears likely to expand.

Carbonated juice drinks, plant milk and coffee combinations, dairy-based energy drinks—the mixing has only just begun. One recent combination is a caffeinated bottled water from BiPro USA. Introduced in late 2017, BiPro Orange +Caffeine is part of the company’s protein water line, offering “the nutritional benefits of protein and caffeine while on the move!” The product features 20g of protein and 100mg of natural caffeine. Other ingredients include whey protein isolate and natural orange flavor.

Consumers looking for alternatives to sweet beverages—and ones that offer health benefits as well—are trying drinkable vinegars such as the organic Raw Apple Cider Sipping Vinegars from Vermont Village. Flavors include as Blueberries & Honey, Turmeric & Honey, Cranberries & Honey, and Ginger & Honey

Savory Formulations: Savory beverages are among the categories that appear to be on the brink of a major breakthrough. Consumers looking for alternatives to sweet beverages, and ones that offer health benefits as well, as trying drinkable vinegars such as the organic Raw Apple Cider Sipping Vinegars from Vermont Village. Flavors include as Blueberries & Honey, Turmeric & Honey, Cranberries & Honey, and Ginger & Honey.

Apple cider vinegar, derived from fermented apple juice, can contain probiotic bacteria that help keep the digestive system healthy. Vermont Village points out that its unpasteurized apple cider vinegar contains the “mother” referring to the cloudy, cobweb-like strands of material that contain the probiotic bacteria as well as healthy enzymes and proteins.

Clean Label: Clean labeling is still in a relatively early stage of development as a critical factor in beverage purchasing decisions. But it is almost certain to accelerate and reach a tipping point in the very near future as an element in marketing and packaging, as well as in the production process itself, that all food manufacturers must address. Consumers, in an environment where trust is hard to come by, want more certainty than ever before that their foods are safe.

Some beverage categories, bottled water and tea, for example, tend to be more prepared to present as clean label that others. But the need to offer a clean label impacts all of the categories and will continue to be a force for change in those that have in the past relied heavily on artificial ingredients.

Environmental Concerns: The transparency that clean labeling represents extends to the methods of production in terms of environmental friendliness and conditions that support animal welfare, factors that are of increasing importance to a growing number of consumers and also likely to reach a tipping point that makes them a must for manufacturers. Note how some plant-based beverage manufacturers, for example, are already using the smallness of their environmental footprint as a competitive factor.

Going forward, expect that regenerative agriculture—the use of farming techniques that rebuild and restore soil biodiversity—will become especially important to the beverage industry. Manufacturers will join the movement to reverse damage to soil, water, and even the air. 

Better For You Beverages

Drink formulators embrace adaptogens for new functional formulas

Considering a new better-for-you beverage? You might try a formula featuring adaptogens, suggests Imbibe, a Niles, Ill., company that creates custom flavors, ingredients and finished beverages across all categories. 

Marketing Associate Holly McHugh says consumers might not be very familiar with the term adaptogen, but they have almost definitely ingested an adaptogen throughout their lifetime. This group of herbs, plants and substances has long been commonplace in homeopathic medicines and supplements, but in the past couple of years, many are making their way into food and beverages.

In a recent trend-spotting column, McHugh identified several adaptogens for consideration.

Ashwagandha has many suggested benefits like regulating hormones and acting as an anti-inflammatory. It’s been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine, and now brands such as Blue Buddha, Rebbl Elixirs, and Naturewise are leveraging its abilities by using it in their beverages.

Tulsi (Holy Basil) is suggested to combat adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, and unbalanced blood sugar. This ingredient appears in several beverages by brands such as Honest Tea, Goldthread Plant-Based Tonics, and C Botanicals.

Schisandra is an up-and-coming ingredient that Imbibe found in several beverages at Natural Products Expo West. A few of the suggested benefits include that it acts as an anti-inflammatory, offers adrenal support, improves liver and digestive health, and protects skin

Schisandra is an up-and-coming ingredient that Imbibe found in several beverages at Natural Products Expo West. A few of the suggested benefits include that it acts as an anti-inflammatory, offers adrenal support, improves liver and digestive health, and protects skin. It appears in products from Rise Kombucha, Rebbl Elixirs, and Suja Juice.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Imbibe expects chaga will be the rising star of the adaptogenic mushrooms. It is suggested to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, improve endurance, and even fight against some cancers. This super mushroom can be found in products by brands like Sapp Birch Water, Wonder Fuel Mushroom Coffee, Four Sigmatic and GT’s Sparkling Probiotic Cider.

Reishi has a long list of suggested benefits like increasing energy, protecting against viruses, and improving sleep. This mushroom ingredient is found in drinks from Four Sigmatic and Health Ade Kombucha.

Back to Our Roots

Ginseng is one of the most well-known adaptogens. It’s suggested to improve brain function, have anti-inflammatory properties, and aid with weight loss. It’s used by many brands including GURU Energy, Coffee Blenders, and Arizona Iced Tea.

Maca can be found on shelves at mainstream grocers thanks to Califia Farms. It’s suggested to enhance energy, mood and memory. Other brands utilizing the ingredient include Rebbl Elixirs and Blue Island Coffee.

Visit www.imbibeinc.com for more beverage development ideas.