DRINKmaple Debuts DRINKmelon, a Watermelon Juice Beverage

b4de689a-4331-44f6-87d7-39ad23b78a36Staying within the context of its single-ingredient maple water beverages, DRINKmaple has introduced DRINKmelon Pure Watermelon Water, a USDA Certified Organic juice drink made from domestically sourced watermelons. The new product will launch at next week’s Natural Products Expo West 2016 trade show.

DRINKmaple co-founder and CEO Kate Weiler told BevNET that the development of DRINKmelon was two-fold: extending the company’s distribution footprint — including the recent addition of Kroger stores — without introducing flavored varieties to its maple water line, and making efficient use of a new manufacturing facility.

“We understood the importance of adding SKUs to create a billboard effect in the store but we always felt maple water had such a great taste that we weren’t compelled to add flavor to it,” Weiler said. “[We’ve] always loved watermelon and we thought it spoke to our brand, being a single-ingredient product offering natural hydration with lots of beneficial properties.”

DRINKmelon will hit stores in June with a suggested retail price of $2.99 per 12 oz. bottle. Unlike high pressure processed watermelon beverage brands like WTRMLN WTR and H2Melon, DRINKmelon is pasteurized and shelf-stable. Weiler says the company wanted to create an on-the-go product that consumers “could throw in their bag on a hot summer day.”

The company is currently in the process of building its new facility in St. Albans, Vt., where both DRINKmaple and DRINKmelon will be produced.

“This allows us to continue to take advantage of our facility throughout the summer,”Weiler added. “The growing season for locally-sourced watermelons is very complimentary to maple sap season.”

The company’s full press release can be found below:

St. Albans, Vermont (March 3, 2016) – DRINKmaple, maker of the nation’s leading premium pure maple water, is pleased to introduce its newest launch at this year’s Natural Products Expo West: DRINKmelon Pure Watermelon Water (launching June 2016). At Booth #8513, Expo West goers will have the opportunity to sample the new product and original DRINKmaple Pure Maple Water (launched May 2014), meet co-founders Kate Weiler and Jeff Rose, and learn firsthand about the unique production process and exceptional of health benefits of each functional beverage.

“As we approach our third year of business, we’re excited to bring new innovation to our growing customer base,” said Kate Weiler, co-founder and CEO of DRINKmaple. “In addition to a delicious product, our consumer is looking for a beverage that is nutritious and pure. While DRINKmaple has an incredibly nutrient-dense profile with 46 naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, antioxidants and prebiotics, DRINKmelon is a nutritional powerhouse all on its own, boasting just one ingredient and dozens of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help fuel and nourish the body.”

Sharing a number of similarities with the brand’s namesake, DRINKmelon is a new plant-based, single-ingredient functional beverage made from 100% domestically sourced watermelons. Harvested at the peak of ripeness, the sun-ripened American-grown watermelons are peeled and juiced before undergoing a gentle filtration process in an effort to preserve the water’s freshness, taste, nutritional benefits and vibrant pink color. Each batch is taste-tested before bottling to ensure the highest quality of pure watermelon goodness goes into every bottle. The beverage is non-GMO, Kosher, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

Despite popular belief that watermelon is made up of only water and sugar, this refreshing fruit is soaked with nutrients. Containing naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including potassium (980 mg), Citrulline, lycopene and Vitamin C, DRINKmelon offers a clean dose of heart-healthy hydration, digestive benefits, and has been proven to boost athletic performance and aid in muscle recovery. At 90 calories and with no added…anything, DRINKmelon has captured one of Mother Nature’s summertime specialties in a nutritious, delicious, not-too-sweet drink available anytime of the year.

Priced at $2.99 per 12 fl. oz. bottle, DRINKmelon will hit shelves in June 2016 and will be available for purchase online. To learn more, visit: drinkmaple.com.

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