A while back I was contacted by a PR firm to review a beverage known as "Vacation in the Bottle"... technically ViB. (Here's their official website). Has anyone heard of this brand or had experience selling it? It was completely new to me. (And since it came in a can, I sort of scratched my head on the whole "in a bottle" thing )

The customary "photo of a can next to a tree" shot, made more difficult due to the cold Chicago winter we've been having...

It's interesting because it has both cane sugar as well as artificial sweeteners. I thought the taste wasn't too bad, though not a huge fan of the aftertaste. As my review noted, the only real gripe I had was with the packaging design.

Given that a lot of you are in the industry and encounter this far more than me, I was just curious what the buzz was around this beverage. Good, bad, clueless?

The ubiquitus tree somewhere in the Heartland....This time with SNOW on the ground.... Nice branding. I GET IT!!!

About the drink, or moreover, the subcategory( from the Functional category). Relaxation drinks are quickly becoming fashionable. They are the new Anti-Energy Drink. I think it is a good idea myself.
The only problem with a relaxation drink is that if it relaxes you too much you may feel lethargic or become sleepy or actually sleep.
But, If taken at the right time it could alter mood, Blood pressure, anxiety, etc.

So, are we pretty much calling any drink with added nutritional stuff "Functional" now? Or is there a better name?

I pray that this in not the next trend in the beverage business. LOL

India to launch cow urine as soft drink

I saw this at a c-store the other day, wondered if I should try.

Originally Posted by Tannerman

So, are we pretty much calling any drink with added nutritional stuff "Functional" now? Or is there a better name?

I didn't create the category/class. What other category would you place this type of drink in? CSD, Spirit, Dairy,Tea, Perhaps New Age would work but that is a reach, but I still think Funtional is the correct one.
What do you propose it be called?

And Yes, pretty much any drink with "nutritional stuff" in it can be classified as functional. It is a very broad definition.

Vacation in a Bottle has a new flavor called Mango Lime... I recently gave it a review next to the ole beverage tree

Of interest is that the product actually comes in bottle, vs. the can in my original review (kinda important when the product is called "Vacation in a Bottle"). I really liked the Mango Lime flavor, far more than the original Pomegranate Berry. Unfortunately, I personally feel that the package design is hurting this beverage. It's just not very well done.