Ocean Spray, the US group best known as a producer of cranberry juices, has continued its drive into new product areas, and its emphasis on the healthiness of its products, with the launch of Ocean Spray Ruby Lemonade grapefruit juice.
There has been a lot of research into the health benefits of cranberry juice, in particular in treating urinary tract infections, and Ocean Spray and other producers have been quick to highlight these benefits when marketing their juices.
The new drink, to be launched worldwide this autumn, is grapefruit-based rather than cranberry-based, but Ocean Spray is still emphasising the healthiness of the sparkling juice product, which it claims can provide 100 per cent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C and help give consumers an energy boost.
"We are looking forward to the wave of refreshment Ruby Lemonade grapefruit juice drink will offer to consumers," said Barry Boehme, director of Ocean Spray's grapefruit business team. "The demand for lemonade has been increasing across the country, and we feel it is a natural citrus extension for the Ocean Spray Ruby Grapefruit beverage line."
The drink will be launched in the US this month, with other markets worldwide likely to come on stream in the months to follow, and is the latest addition to Ocean Spray's existing Ruby family of citrus beverages - Ruby Red grapefruit juice drink, Ruby Tangerine grapefruit juice drink, Ruby Mango grapefruit juice drink and Ocean Ruby Strawberry grapefruit juice drink.