To sparkle or not to sparkle? Whatever you fancy, we’ve got it this week. Need some bubbles? Talk to sparkling tea specialists Birdie. Good without? See Mateina and its non-carbonated yerba mate RTDs. Or for something truly disruptive, check out Strive‘s take on “hydration soda.” To submit your beverage product to BevNET for review, click here. And to browse past reviews, check the archive here.
Canadian organic Yerba maté specialist Mateína revamped its existing 12 ounce canned ready-to-drink line earlier this year with a zero-sugar formula and new flavor lineup: Lemon Original, Mango Key Lime, Raspberry Yuzu, Peach Passion and Mint Limeade, all sweetened with a combination of stevia and juice. Each can contains 20 calories.
Things that stand out:
- Masking maté’s natural bitter, grassy flavor without sugar is no small feat, but Mateína does a superb job of blending and balancing the hero ingredient with complementary flavors. A touch of juice – from either of the sweet or tart fruit options on offer – gives it some life, creating a family of genuinely tasty natural energy drinks.
- Looks sharp: from color-coded cans, clear hierarchy of callouts, and positioning as “non-carbonated energy brew,” this feels ready for retail anywhere.
- From branding to taste, Mateína has created an appealing and approachable platform for yerba mate, a category with proven power (see: Yerba Madre) but still much untapped potential.
Things to consider:
- We think the flavors are excellent, but it’s closer to unsweetened tea than an energy drink or other sugar-sweetened yerba mate RTDs. Converting consumers to the cause may take some time.
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Strive is a new entrant in the functional beverage space, positioned as a hydration soda made with organic wildflower honey as its sole sweetener. Available in two 12 oz flavors, Peach Perfect and Tropical Recharge, each variety contains 45 calories per can and includes real juice, electrolytes, amino acids, and vitamins. The formulation combines familiar refreshment cues with a light functional twist, while the packaging leans on modern minimalism and a name that evokes positivity and energy.
Things that stand out:
- Both flavors are enjoyable, with the use of juices and honey providing a wholesome sweetness that feels distinct from sugar or stevia. The added functional ingredients create a slightly tangy finish but it can definitely hold its own against most functional beverages.
- The brand name “Strive” is upbeat and approachable, helping to establish a friendly identity. Clean, color-blocked can design is eye-catching and modern, giving the product strong shelf presence.
Things to consider:
- The cans do not mention “soda” or “sparkling” on the front panel, which may confuse consumers about what type of beverage this is. Adding this, plus some additional label copy about its purpose and benefits, would definitely help this product on shelf.
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Birdie is a new entrant in the sparkling tea category and it has a formulation that combines low calories, vitamin B, and electrolytes. The line debuts with two flavors, Apple Jasmine and Peach Oolong, both lightly sweetened with a blend of juice, sugar, and stevia. Plus, the brand has eye-catching bold packaging that should help set it apart from the tea category.
Things that stand out:
- Smart use of juice and sugar alongside stevia provides a natural sweetness that feels balanced and authentic. The end result of 35 calories and 2 grams of added sugar is pretty compelling, in our opinion. The taste of both flavors is top notch.
- Packaging is bold, modern, and approachable, with strong branding and clear communication of functional benefits. They’ve done a really nice job, especially for their first release.
- Flavor choices (Apple Jasmine and Peach Oolong) are distinctive yet approachable and tell you exactly what’s in each can.
Things to consider:
- Caffeine content is not clearly stated, which may limit appeal for consumers who want precise functional details.
- Sparkling tea remains a niche category, and consumer adoption may take time compared to more familiar sparkling water or energy drinks.
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