In this roundup of new product reviews, we try new beverages including sparkling prebiotic sodas from Fruga and Live, functional mocktails from Jas, and Barbarian Water, the first product that we’ve ever seen to feature bovine blood powder.
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Fruga Sparkling Prebiotic Soda
Available in Mango, Pineapple, and Pink Guava varieties, Fruga uses real fruit juice as the focal point of its naturally flavored and sweetened sparkling prebiotic sodas. The products contain 4 grams of fiber per 12 ounce can along with vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin B9.
Things that stand out:
- Real fruit juice makes for really accurate and fresh flavors. We especially like Pineapple, but all three are enjoyable.
- For a sugar and juice-sweetened product, 45 calories per can (and only 3 grams of sugar) feels like a reasonable middle-of-the-road place to be.
- Much of the messaging is simple and easy to understand and there is a top down hierarchy on the label.
Things to consider:
- These flavors might not align with what is currently driving the prebiotic / mid-calorie soda categories.
- Branding might need a bit more pop to compete with larger competitors who have flashier visual impact.
- Since most products in this category use zero calorie sweeteners, Fruga might want to be more aggressive in promoting this as a point of differentiation.
Rating: 
Now owned by the folks behind Better Booch, Live Soda has gotten a reboot with updated branding, packaging, and flavors. Launching with five USDA Organic flavors (Citrus Rush, Root Beer, Spicy Cherry Berry, Fountain Cola, and Luscious Cream), Live features pre/pro/postbiotics, are sweetened with both sugar and stevia, and have only 10 calories per 12 ounce can.
Things that stand out:
- A major branding upgrade from previous Live Soda offerings
- Across the board, these taste good with minimal stevia flavor, which is impressive for a drink with only 10 calories and 3 grams of sugar. Citrus Rush and Spicy Cherry Berry are our favorite flavors.
- The kitchen sink approach to gut health has all the bases covered.
Things to consider:
- This is a cold-chain product in a category that is moving to shelf-stable.
- In a saturated category, does Live have enough to stand out?
- A front panel callout for calories might be useful, even if some of the “gut supporting” content had to be reduced.
Rating: 
Jas Functional Cocktails: Mojito Fresco
Building on their Paloma Libre SKU that debuted in 2023, Jas has added a new Mojito Fresco variety. It’s enhanced with yerba mate – “for energy,” as the label states – and has a bold note of mint. Each 8.4 oz can has 50 calories and 2 grams of added sugar.
Things that stand out:
- The flavor is very enjoyable and has just enough bite to make this a sipable (rather than crushable) flavor. As an alcohol alternative, it’s just right.
- Bright green can has visual pop and nicely complements the pink hues of their other SKU.
- Energy is an understandable function and feels more marketable than the ashwagandha used in Paloma Libre.
Things to consider:
- Caffeine content should be disclosed in an easy to find place.
- The front panel callout for 2 grams of sugar is way too small.
Rating:
Designed to be “the most powerful hydration mix on earth,” Barbarian Water is the first product that we’ve ever seen to feature bovine blood powder as an ingredient. It also has 750mg of sodium, 520mg of potassium, 60mg of magnesium and a host of other functional ingredients. Sweetened with stevia, the product comes in a single variety – Bleed-to-Death Blood Orange.
Things that stand out:
- Massive dose of electrolytes and other functional ingredients relative to more mainstream competitors.
- Magnesium is a trending ingredient and its inclusion is a plus.
- The branding definitely catches the eye.
Things to consider:
- Can this branding last? It’s a bit over-the-top (complete with multiple F bombs 💣) and the death theme feels a bit me-too. Even their web site uses the phrases “Liquid Gold Death Drink.”
- Awareness around bovine blood extract is limited and the brand doesn’t do much to explain it.
- The added functional ingredients taste very strong, and overall the drink is very salty. Plus, the ingredients don’t hold well in the mixed solution.
Rating: 