While the concept of mixing cinnamon with coconut water isn’t new, this is the first entry that we’ve seen in shelf-stable form (Harmless Harvest being the first -- albeit a perishable -- option). Having only two ingredients (coconut water and cinnamon), the product has a very clean flavor.
Pok Pok Som is a drinking vinegar concentrate that was developed by the folks behind the critically acclaimed Pok Pok restaurant in Portland, Ore. Available in nine varieties, we chose to focus on the brand's Celery flavor, which, like all products in the line, is packaged in 16 oz. apothecary-style glass bottle with a label that feels both artisanal and hip.
TumericALIVE has extended its line of turmeric-infused beverages with a trio of "Super Blends." The high pressure processed elixirs include three distinct varieties, including a cold-brew coffee product, a matcha drink and a chocolate-infused beverage. Without a doubt, the company has done exceedingly well with the formulations.
The label update for Powered ON (which debuted as ON Beverages) looks cleaner than its initial effort. However, we feel as though it still looks a bit too technical to the point where it doesn’t appeal to one’s senses as well as it could.
Yuvia Pure is a not from concentrate coconut water that is made with young coconuts from Brazil. The product, which claims to not add any sugar, has a slightly sweeter and less salty flavor than what we’ve seen in other brands. However, we can’t say that product this is preferable to those that add sugar.
Vermont Tapped, which is a product from the same company that produces the TreTap line of beverages, is an “enhanced” maple water beverage. The enhancement is maple syrup, which has been combined with maple water, maple flavor, citric acid and carbon dioxide to create a zero-calorie product that drinks like a flavored seltzer.
From BevNET Live, to FBU, to Brewbound Session to Brew Talks, we have a lot planned for 2015! Check here for updates on all our events for the year.
Featuring over eight hours of content, the videos are packed with key insights on beverage innovation and cutting edge trends that are reshaping the industry now and for years to come.
Proper Soda Co.’s Hibiscus Soda is the followup flavor to its flagship Hop Soda. Unlike Hop Soda, which was essentially introducing a flavor that is rarely seen in non-alcoholic beverages, this variety is a bit more familiar. It uses a rather simple formulation of carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, hibiscus extract, grape extract (for coloring) and natural flavors.
Amid a flurry of holiday- and seasonal-themed beverages to hit the market, Stumptown has launched a new "Winter Cheer" variety. The limited-release flavor is an extension of the company's line of ready-to-drink cold-brew coffee and milk blends.
Belvedere will release two custom made and limited editions to celebrate Bond’s vodka martini ‘Shaken not Stirred’, and its partnership with the 24th Bond adventure, SPECTRE. In an unprecedented move, Belvedere has replaced the iconic Belvedere Palace with the famous MI6 headquarters.
From our perspective, Purps approach, which is to play in variety of beverage categories with a specific functionality for each product, is way too wide to be successful. Nailing one product type in one segment -- perhaps with a few SKUs -- seems like a much better approach.
Sprizz-O is a new brand of juice and seltzer water blends that comes in six varieties. Packaged in 12 oz. long-neck bottles, each beverage is also sweetened with can sugar and contains 50 calories. We've seen similar concepts come and go, but we think Sprizz-O is off to a good start.
Two common threads link this year’s best: One, brands have maintained a focus on health-driven trends, initiating timely innovation in both formulation and packaging. Two, companies have executed on multi-channel retail and distribution strategies at a time when mainstream consumers become increasingly aware and actively pursue beverages in natural-focused categories.
