Whether you plan to sip cocktails or mocktails this holiday season, this week’s product launches have plenty to offer with a number of new mixers, bitters and ready-to-drink non-alc alternatives. Also in this roundup, we take a look at a new limited edition seasonal from Bubly and some new year-round additions to the functional beverage shelf.
The Bitter Housewife
The Bitter Housewife, maker of (what else) cocktail bitters, has released its latest product: Dead Guy Chicory Bitters. The product, available in a 3.4 oz. glass bottle, is a collaboration with Rogue Distillery that uses its Dead Guy Whiskey as a base. Described as a rich, layered flavor profile, the bitters include roasted chicory, cocoa nibs, allspice, wild cherry bark and gentian and are recommended for use in whiskey-based cocktails. The product is now available on the brand’s website for $18 per unit.
Bubly
Since the brand’s launch, singer Michael Bublé has been the go-to celebrity spokesman for PepsiCo’s sparkling water brand Bubly. Now, the singer is getting his own promotional holiday flavor, “merry berry bublé.” The limited edition offering, currently only available as a giveaway sweepstakes prize, features quirky packaging designed to look like a “tacky” holiday sweater and a graffitied, accented “é” written over the traditional brand name to indicate proper pronunciation.
Casamara Club
Non-alcoholic soft drink brand Casamara Club, which made its debut with a line of amaro-styled sparkling sodas in glass bottles, is launching its latest innovation next month: a canned “leisure soda” line currently available for pre-order, direct-to-consumer on the brand’s website. The products are designed around “Americana” culture and are available in “The Mellow Ginger and The Red Drink (strawberry) varieties. Each 12 oz. can has 4 grams of sugar and 20 calories and the drinks are made with botanicals and contain no artificial sweeteners or flavors. Variety 12-packs are available for $45 and 24-packs for $72. Products will begin shipping in January.
Heywell
Startup brand Heywell has added a “Calm + Hydrate” Lime flavor to its line of functional sparkling waters. The new drink, made with L-Theanine, lemon balm, schisandra, amla berry and electrolytes, is a relaxing alternative to the brand’s current Energy + Focus and Energy + Immunity SKUs. The drink is now on sale on the brand’s website for $24.99 per 6-pack (around $4.16 per can).
Karuna
Health and wellness beverage brand Karuna is aiming to provide consumers with a non-alc alternative to wine in its latest offering, Karviva Unwined. Made with superfood fruits, this “Malbec-inspired” juice contains aronia berry, schisandra, mulberry, dark cherry and prickly pear and can be drunk from the bottle or poured into a wine glass for social situations. Each 12 oz. bottle contains 10 grams of sugar (none added) and 80 calories. The drinks are currently available for purchase on Amazon for $31.96 per 4-pack (about $7.99 per bottle).
Mixly
Handcrafted cocktail mixers maker Mixly has debuted three new seasonal flavors built around the holiday occasion: Pear Honey Vanilla Lime, Strawberry Pomegranate and Rosemary Lemon Honey. Made with squeezed juice and natural sweeteners, each 16 oz. bottle contains six servings and retails for $20. The flavors are also available in sampler gift packs featuring 4 oz. bottles for $15, or full-size bundles for $50.
Q Mixers
If you’re longing for the summer heat this winter, premium carbonated mixer brand Q Mixers has released Tropical Ginger Beer as its latest flavor offering. Citing stronger retail sales for its classic Ginger Beer and Hibiscus Ginger varieties, this new Tropical offering is made with real ginger, agave, mango, passion fruit and pineapple with extra carbonation. The flavor is available exclusively at Kroger and on the brand’s website and is packaged in 7.5 oz. cans. It is expected to receive national retail distribution in early 2022.
Real Good Tea
Portfolio Beverages, Inc. has debuted a new hemp-infused, functional beverage brand, Real Good Tea, available in four flavors; Rise-Up, Stay Well, Destress and Wind Down. Each of these RTD iced teas contains botanicals, vitamins, adaptogens and 50 mg “VESIsorb” hemp extract per 12 oz. sleek can. The drinks are naturally sweetened with amber clover honey. Real Good Tea is currently available for purchase online direct-to-consumer for $23.99 per 4-pack and $65.99 per 12-pack.