Bulletproof
Amidst a strategic reset, Bulletproof continues to stake its claim as a leader in the new wave of enhanced, extra-functional coffees storming the market. The brand’s latest release is The Mood Booster, made with 100% Arabica beans and boosted with Lion’s Mane, Reishi mushrooms, and Ashwagandha. The medium roast blend is available ground in 12 oz. bags from the brand’s website for $18.99 each. Head to bulletproof.com for more information.
KA-EX
Swiss nutrition performance brand KA-EX is bringing its first creatine launch to market, available in both RTD and powdered sachet formats. The KA-EX Creatine EAA+ Booster contains essential amino acids, L-citrulline, electrolytes, as well as 3 grams of Creapure creatine per serving. To learn more, visit ka-ex.com.
AMRA
ARMRA is entering the ready-to-drink category with a shelf-stable colostrum soda designed to translate the brand’s functional benefits into a mainstream beverage format. Available in four flavors at launch – Huckleberry, Pomelo Basil, Spicy Lime and Pear Ginger – each 12 oz. can delivers one gram of ARMRA grass-fed bovine colostrum, equivalent to a single serving of the company’s existing powder and stick pack SKUs. Find more information at amra.com.
Red Bull
Red Bull is officially ready to welcome summer, as marked by the release of its latest Summer Edition. This year it’s Sudachi Lime, distinguished by a bright citrus burst from sudachi (a Japanese citrus fruit) balanced with lime and pomelo. As usual, this Summer Edition is available in both regular and sugar-free versions in 8.4 oz. and 12 oz. cans. Head to redbull.com for more information.
Vive Organic
Not a fan of coffee or energy drinks? You can still get your daily mental booster shot (literally) with Vive Organics’ newest SKUs, Mind Boost and Mood Boost. The 2 oz. cold-pressed juice shots work pretty much as expected: Mind Boost is for clarity and focus (with L-theanine, bacopa, and functional mushrooms) and Mood Boost provides a positive lift with organic green tea, saffron, 5-HTP and adaptogenic mushrooms. Find them both at Kroger and banners nationwide right now. To learn more, visit viveorganic.com.
Olipop
Summer time means soda time, which is where OLIPOP comes in. The next-gen CSD is dropping a pair of releases to kick off the season: a limited-edition Raspberry Sherbet (pictured), and Blackberry Vanilla, which will be a permanent SKU making its return after becoming one of brand’s most-requested LTO flavors back in 2020. Get it at Target, Walmart and Whole Foods and Blackberry Vanilla. Visit drinkolipop.com for more.
Rare Breed Coffee
New England-based roaster Rare Breed is putting its own spin on enhanced coffee with Brain Waves. Available in 10 oz. recyclable cans, this functional blend is billed as a “precision-formulated performance coffee” that’s boosted with 100mg L-theanine, 300mg L-tyrosine, 200mg citicoline, and 550mg cordyceps. Get more details at rarebreedcoffee.com.
Gorilla Mind
After teasing a “sarsaparilla” flavor on April Fool’s, Gorilla Mind has revealed Root Beer as the real new addition to its roster of nootropics-based energy drinks. The gimmick appears to have paid off: according to the brand, Root Beer has achieved the highest first-week velocity of any flavor launch in its history. Get more details at gorillamind.com.
Pure Leaf
Pepsi-owned RTD tea Pure Leaf is hoping to help consumers cut through brain fog with Mental Focus, a line of sparkling iced teas crafted with 69 mg caffeine and added L-theanine. Available in Peach and Raspberry flavors in 12 oz. cans. Head to pureleaf.com for more information.
Señorita
THC-infused margaritas specialist Señorita is joining the hemp-derived spirits market with the release of 1777. Developed by winemakers Joel Gott and Charles Bieler, 1777 comes in 750mL bottles and is designed to sip on its own or in a cocktail, with flavors of agave, lime, dragon fruit, and a subtle chili finish. For more information, go to senoritadrinks.com.
MAC Energy
Mixed martial artist and Proper Twelve founder Conor McGregor is preparing to test his skills in a new arena, making his debut as an energy drink entrepreneur with MAC Energy. The six-SKU line contains 200 mg caffeine, 2,000 mg GoBHB active ketones and 250 mg Cognizin citicoline per 12 oz. can. To learn more, visit drinkmac.com.
Jittery Joe’s x Kokoro
Athens, Georgia-based roaster Jittery Joe’s Coffee is known for their creative co-branded releases, but its latest is slightly more ambitious than usual. After several years spent working in partnership with Ishikawa Farm in the Aichi Prefecture of Japan to import ceremonial-grade matcha, the result is Kokoro Matcha Latte, an instant powder made with Ishikawa Ceremonial Matcha, powdered oat milk, organic coconut milk powder, and a touch of sugar. Find this one online or in Jittery Joe’s cafes in Athens; each package can make 14 drinks. For more information, go to jitteryjoes.com.
Bones Coffee x Star Wars
Bones Coffee is inviting a couple guests to your next morning cup: The Mandalorian and Grogu. The roaster is taking its signature flavor-forward approach for these LTO tie-ins to the new Star Wars film, with buttery caramel popcorn and blondie brownie providing the inspiration for Cantina Caramel Crunch and Beksar Brew, respectively. Both come in 12 oz. whole bean and ground bags, plus K-Cups, from the brand’s website; exact release timing is still TBD. To learn more, visit bonescoffee.com.
Blue Bottle
If you’re looking for something else in tea, it may be time to try Hoicha, billed as matcha’s “quieter” cousin. As a limited release, Blue Bottle is again tapping Rishouen Teahouse in Uji, Japan, the same fifth-generation producer behind their Craft Matcha, for Craft Hōjicha, a roasted green tea powder with notes of toasted nuts and caramel. Craft Hōjicha sells for $35 for a 30 gram tin (approx. 10 servings) exclusively at bluebottlecoffee.com.
Zing Zang
Espresso martinis are on fire at the moment, and Zing Zang is ready to add more fuel. The mixer brand’s latest release is Espresso Martini Mix, made with real coffee and cocoa bitters and no artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup. It is available in 32 oz. bottles and 4-packs of 7.5 oz. cans. Get more details at zingzang.com.
L.A. Libations
In partnership with Re:Lid USA, L.A. Libations Water – the 9.5 + pH water brand produced by beverage incubator L.A. Libations – unveiled this week what it claims is the beverage industry’s first fully recyclable resealable aluminum can, seeking to introduce a new approach to convenience and sustainability. Learn more at drinklalibations.com.