With New Year’s Eve and its traditional libations now officially in the history books, it might seem a bit soon to take too close of a look at the alcoholic beverages segment. However, Mardi Gras is just over a month away, so it may well be a perfect time to examine the latest releases and news in the category.

Nestlé S.A. and The Coca-Cola Company agreed to focus the geographic scope of their ready-to-drink tea joint venture, Beverage Partners Worldwide (BPW), on Europe and Canada.

Food maker Sara Lee Corp. has purchased Tea Forte in order to enhance its foothold in the fast-growing tea business.

A Texas court has ruled state ordinances defining beer, ale and malt liquor are unconstitutional.

U.S. global-beverage companies may be well positioned for long-term growth.

The holidays can be a time for indulging and, in some cases, overindulging. Alcoholic beverages, alone, can have as many as 600 calories per serving; one recent launch in the segment is a calorie-conscious, yet quite adult, beverage.

Premier Beverage Group founder and president Fouad Kallamni cited a Morgan Stanley industry report on strong, sustained growth in the energy drink market as reason for optimism in 2012.

Who is responsible for the problem? The solution? What role do food ingredients and food formulations play? Prepared Foods’ annual survey queries food product developers.

Researchers examined the effect of providing clear and visible caloric information about sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, sport drinks, energy drinks and fruit juice at neighborhood stores.

Cherry juice could prove to be the new champion for getting a good night’s sleep.