High Spirits: Next-Gen Cannabis Drinks Seek to Emulate, Evolve Alcohol
Rather than trying to pull spirits drinkers into a new format, a cohort of emerging brands are looking to make the transition from cocktails to cannabis as smooth as possible.
Martín Caballero
Managing Editor, BevNET
Martín writes news articles and feature stories covering the non-alcoholic beverage industry for BevNET. A graduate of Boston University, Martín's previous work has appeared in USA Today, The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald.
Posts by Martín Caballero
Monster, Orange Bang Ask Court to Confirm $175M in Damages Against VPX
Family-owned beverage maker Orange Bang and Monster Energy Company have asked an U.S. District Court in California to confirm an interim award of $175 million in damages and a 5% royalty on all future net sales of Bang-branded products after an arbitrator found that VPX was liable for breach of contract and trademark infringement by falsely claiming its products contain creatine.
Refresco Completes Facilities Deal with Coca-Cola
Dutch bottling conglomerate Refresco has completed its acquisition of three U.S. manufacturing facilities from The Coca-Cola Company, as first announced in August 2021.
Keurig Dr Pepper Announces CEO Transition Plan
Beverage maker Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) announced a management transition plan that will see CFO Ozan Dokmecioglu take over as CEO from Bob Gamgort, who is set to move into the role of Executive Chairman for two years. The change will become effective July 29, 2022.
Westrock Coffee to Go Public, Agrees to SPAC Merger
Coffee wholesaler Westrock announced today it is merging with Riverview Acquisition, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), to go public in a transaction that values the combined company at just over $1 billion.
Jury Affirms No Co-Ownership With DRAM Apothecary and Rocky Mountain Soda
Earlier this month a jury in Colorado handed CBD and adaptogenic beverage maker DRAM Apothecary a partial victory in a lawsuit it had brought against its former manufacturing partner, Rocky Mountain Soda.
Koia Names The Weeknd, Kyler Murray Amid Slate of New Investors; Chris Paul In Discussions on “Expanding His Role”
Refrigerated plant-based beverage brand Koia’s cap table continues to grow with today’s announcement that Grammy-winner The Weeknd, comedian Kevin Hart and a wide ranging group of athletes and entertainment figures have made an investment. The new funding will go towards supporting product innovation and retail expansion.
Beverage Veterans Mark Mahoney and Lee Brody Enter Cannabis With The Drinkable Company
Describing itself as a group of “beverage experts entering the cannabis space as compared to cannabis experts entering the beverage space,” The Drinkable Company is aimed at leveraging its collective experience in beverages to break through the burgeoning $426 million dollar THC drinks market.
Russell Wilson, AJ Vaynerchuk Team Up On Hydration Beverage Local Weather
NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and digital media guru AJ Vaynerchuk have teamed to enter the RTD beverage market with the launch of Local Weather, a NFT-powered, nootropic-boosted hydration drink brand aimed at Gen Z consumers.
Talking Rain CEO Chris Hall Stepping Down
Talking Rain Inc., the parent company of flavored sparkling water brand Sparkling Ice, announced on Friday the departure of CEO Chris Hall, effective April 1.
Hoplark Targets Craft Beer Market With Non-Alc ‘Hop Brew’
Known for its four-SKU line of RTD hopped teas, the Boulder, Colorado-based beverage company has announced its entrance into the non-alcoholic “beer” market with the launch of Hoplark 0.0, a zero-calorie, zero-proof craft brew line that arrives in stores this month.
Coffee Vets Launch Ghost Town, Aim For Inclusive Approach to Oat Milk
Does the world need another oat milk? The founding team behind Ghost Town Oats, a new oat milk venture backed by specialty coffee experts Michelle Johnson, Ezra Baker and Eric J. Grimm, would argue that it depends on what you mean by ‘another.’ .
Tilray Takes on HEXO Debt, Opens Path For Equity Ownership
Two of Canada’s major cannabis producers are coming together after Tilray Brands agreed to take on $211 million of debt from HEXO, a resolution that will allow the latter brand to shake off its “crippling overhang” by providing Tilray with "significant equity ownership position,” according to a press release.
Targeting $20M+ Revenue Year, Rowdy Ready to “Burn” With New Release
With the release of its first line extension, Rowdy Power Burn, the brand is aiming to diversify both its consumer base and retail presence, while giving it a lifestyle focus.