Some people have angels and devils on their shoulders; this week, our review team is seeing Little Saints and a Bad Mermaid, plus something that kind of rides the line down the middle: Crodino, a non-alcoholic bitter soda from spirits specialists Campari. To submit your beverage product to BevNET for review, click here. And to browse past reviews, check the archive here.
Adult non-alcoholic (ANA) brand Little Saints launched its 8 oz. cans of NA cocktails in 2021 and added a large-format 750 ml. spirit alternative, St. Ember, in 2023. The brand initially launched Mojito last year and brought it back in April.
Things that stand out:
- The brand playfully shows, but doesn’t tell, drinkers about the implied aphrodisiac qualities of the damiana flower ingredient. Callouts to “love” and “playful desires” culminate in the chef’s kiss tagline: “A Prelude to Pleasure.”
- It doesn’t lean too heavily on sweetness to carry flavor, maintaining a quaffable and subdued profile befitting a refined cocktail.
Things to consider:
- When first opened, it smells faintly like a diet cola. Although the flavor opens up when poured over ice, it doesn’t scream Mojito, lacking that expected punch of lime and mint.
- Over $6 per 8 oz. can (as part of a 4-pack) is an expensive starting point. The price does drop on larger quantities, but for new consumers unfamiliar with the category or the brand, it’s asking a lot.
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Bad Mermaid is a whimsically branded line of energy drinks that bills itself as “healthy energy that’s better for you and the planet.” All four SKUs—Midnight Glow, Sea Essence, Ocean Breeze, and Coral Wave— clock in at 10 to 15 calories per 12 oz. can and are sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium. The packaging embraces a bold, mythical aesthetic with oceanic themes complete with the image of a heavily tattooed mermaid.
Things that stand out:
- Unique and imaginative label design featuring mermaids and marine motifs gives the product unique shelf appeal. It certainly does not feel like a me-too brand.
- The low-calorie formulation is a good approach and the four flavors taste good compared to other low calorie energy offerings.
Things to consider:
- The use of artificial sweeteners clashes with the clean and healthy branding message, potentially creating a disconnect for ingredient-conscious shoppers.
- The functional positioning feels muddled, especially with unclear distinctions between the “feel good energy” and “feel good vitality” SKUs. In general, we’d like to see more consistency and simplicity when it comes to the functional blend to avoid unnecessary consumer education hurdles.
- Simplifying the overall branding and formulation would likely enhance consumer understanding and improve shelf impact. As part of this simplification, we think that front panel callouts for the calorie and sugar content would be key.
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Originally created in the 1960s, Crodino is a non-alcoholic bitter soda that has long been available in Italy and across Europe. Campari is now bringing the beverage to the US as a non-alcoholic spritz in a single 5.95 oz (175ml) SKU with 28 calories and sweetened with a blend of sugar, acesulfame potassium and stevia.
Things that stand out:
- We like this package: the custom glass bottle with raised lettering injects a retro aesthetic and looks like an established, sophisticated brand. Despite the small label, it’s clearly identifiable as a non-alcoholic spritz.
- The sweetener blend keeps Crodino at 28 calories and 8 grams of added sugar. While it’s hard to know if this is a meaningful differentiator in this nascent category, it is a notable distinction from most products in the NA category.
Things to consider:
- The sweeteners—acesulfame potassium and stevia—leave a noticeable aftertaste that detracts from the overall experience. The flavor is noticeable while drinking the liquid and it leaves a lingering aftertaste. This is a major miss in our opinion.
- The absence of the Campari name on the packaging could limit brand recognition and trial among American consumers who are unfamiliar with Crodino (which we suspect is mostly everyone).
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