What’s hitting the shelves? Coffee brewed in maple water, acai juice with chia, and alcoholic root beer

PepsiCo: Naked Pressed​

PepsiCo has announced a new line for its Naked Juice brand, called Naked Pressed.  

The cold-pressed, high pressure processed juices are available in select West Coast retailers and are being rolled out nationwide in the US.

The range includes Bright Greens (a combination of apple, cucumber, celery, romaine, lettuce, lemon, kale, spinach and wheatgrass) and Bold Beet (beet, carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon, orange and ginger).

Other flavors are called hearty greens, lively carrot and cool pineapple.

MillerCoors expands gluten-free beer brand​

MillerCoors is expanding its gluten-free Coors Peak portfolio with Golden Lager.

Its predecessor Copper Lager, which is a rich copper color with a slight caramel profile, was launched in the Pacific Northwest last year.

Golden Lager has now followed, with the beverage described as bright and balanced with a toasted malt backbone and hints of citrusy hops.

Both lagers are brewed with naturally gluten-free ingredients including California brown rice and Pacific Northwest hops.

They are certified gluten free by the Gluten Intolerance Group.

The drinks are available in the Seattle and Portland metropolitan areas.

Minute Maid sparkles​

Minute Maid has added Minute Maid Sparkling to its portfolio, a line of low calorie fizzy juice drinks made with fruit juice and natural flavors.

Minute Maid sparkling comes in four flavors: Fizzy Lemonade, Mixed Berry, Tropical Citrus and Fruit Punch. The drinks have launched in stores nationwide this month.

Each 16.9 fl oz bottle has between 30 and 40 calories per pack, contains 6% juice, and has a suggested retail price of $1.29.

Coca-Cola has launched Minute Maid Sparkling as a replacement for Glaceau fruitwater.

Coffee brewed in maple water​

US Maple Water brand Happy Tree says it is ‘poised to reinvent the cold-brew category’ with RTD coffee brewed only in maple water.

Maple Water Cold-Brew starts with organic and non-GMO maple water, adds organic fair-trade coffee beans, and this is cold-brewed to create a black coffee with the nutrients and sweetness of maple water.

“Our Maple Water Cold-Brew is a natural progression of the beauty and possibility of maple water, an amazing natural resource," ​said Ari Tolwin, co-founder and CEO of Happy Tree.

Maple Water Cold-Brew Coffee launched this month with luxury retailer Nordstrom and nationwide with UNFI.

Low acid orange juice​

Coca-Cola brand Simply Orange has launched Simply Orange Low Acid, aimed at consumers who are sensitive to acid in foods and beverages.

The low acid variety will hit stores across the US in April.

Chocolate coconut water​

US beverage and snacks company Zola says its success to date has been a result of recognizing the needs of growing categories. It has launched two new products this month: Chocolate Coconut Water and Acai Juice with Mango and Chia.   

Chocolate Coconut Water comes 17.5oz cans, and each serve contains 11 grams of sugar and 50 calories.

Meanwhile, Acai Juice with Mango and Chia taps into the growth of the chia category. Chris Cuvelier, Zola founder and CEO, said: “The tropical flavor profile of mango and the addition of organic ground chia is a direct response to demand for more delicious chia products in a rapidly expanding category.”​

Juice and tea range cuts calories​

The Berry Company, a UK drink brand, is re-launching its existing juice and tea range with a 40% reduction in sugar and calories, along with a new pack design.

It cites Kantar Worldpanel data, which reports that 92% of consumers are trying to lower their sugar intake.

The new recipe contains 40% less sugar and 27Kcal per 100ml, and the range is now available in Waitrose, WHSmith, Ocado and Holland & Barrett, with 1,000 more listings expected in June.

The company also plans to launch a kids’ NFC low sugar juice, organic low calorie carbonated drink and organic protein smoothie in the beverage sector.

Alcoholic root beer trend ready to hit Australia​

Australian brewer East Ninth Brewing is eying up alcoholic root beer as the ‘next big thing’ in alcoholic beverages, as it prepares to launch its own variety ‘Future Memoirs Of A Root Beer’ next month.

“In the US, countless brands have hit the market in an effort to secure their slice of what’s already shaping up to be a multi-million dollar category,”​ says East Ninth Brewing.

Future Memoirs Of A Root Beer (ABV 4%) has a blend of flavors including sassafras, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger.

“Served over ice, it provides an interesting and sessionable alternative to traditional beers,”​ says the brewer.

PepsiCo innovates with iced tea​

PepsiCo iced tea brand Brisk has launched a new line this month, taking inspiration from South America with Brisk Mate.

The ‘smooth, energizing iced tea’ is made with South American Yerba Mate. It is available in 16 oz cans, containing 90 calories per can, in mango, dragonfruit and cherry flavors.

Yerba Mate was chosen because of its energizing qualities, says Brisk.

Brisk Mate has been launched in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, Portland, Denver and Las Vegas this month.

Strawberry Fanta for Australia​

Coca-Cola South Pacific has introduced Strawberry Sherbet Fizz to its Fanta range in Australia, a “fruity and refreshing strawberry sherbet flavored soft drink with extra tingles and bold bubbles that provide an extra zing.”​

Strawberry Sherbet Fizz is a 12 month limited edition, launched this month in Coles, Woolworths, independent retailers and petrol and convenience stores. It is packaged in 1.25L bottles, 250ml cans and 8x200ml mini can packs.

New ‘hot’ shot​

SHS Drinks has launched WKD Fiery Shot, a 15% ABV ‘hot’ shot with a mango and chilli flavor, in the UK.

The product hopes to open up a new, at home, WKD drinking occasion among groups of friends. Most ‘hot’ shots available on the market at the moment are cinnamon-based, and so the mango and chilli flavor brings something new to the market, says SHS Drinks.

WKD 1, which was launched last year, has been re-named as WKD Blue Shot and had a pack redesign to align it with WKD Fiery Shot.

Unsweetened black tea​

Pure Leaf Iced Tea, from The Pepsi Lipton Tea Partnership, has launched its Pure Leaf Tea House Collection in the US, a super-premium line of organic tea brewed with fruits and herbs.

The brand is also building its unsweetened iced tea category with the launch of two new zero calorie flavors: Unsweetened Black Tea with Lemon and Unsweetened Green Tea.

Lemonade Tea joins Florida juice portfolio​

Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, a Florida juice company, has added three new RTD products to its portfolio.

Fresh Handcrafted Lemonade Tea contains 20% lemon juice blended with brewed black tea, Florida pure cane sugar and water. It does not contain preservatives or additives, and is available in 16oz and 64oz bottles.

The company has also launched Squeezed Fresh Tomato Juice and Freshly Blended Orange Beet Juice.

Other products in Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company portfolio include 100% Florida Orange and Grapefruit Juice, Honey Tangerine, Orange Pineapple, Orange Mango, Strawberry Lemonade and Margarita Mix.