Daily Briefing (Insiders Only): Is The Insurgency Winning?
Some of the top names in Bain & Company’s annual insurgent CPG brands list should seem more than a little familiar: Alani Nu, Ghost, Poppi. Do you sense a theme?
Headlines
Diageo’s Shift: What the Distill Ventures Decision Signals For The Spirits Industry
After over a decade of investing in emerging spirits and adult non-alc brands, last week Diageo confirmed that its venture arm Distill Ventures will cease bringing new brands into its portfolio. What does the wind-down signal for the spirits group and does it say something about the larger spirits industry?
Marketing: Kylie Kelce Stars in Liquid Death’s ‘Kegs for Pregs’; Niagara Water Inks NIL Deal With UCLA’s Waterboy
In Liquid Death’s latest provocative ad campaign, Kylie Kelce – podcaster and wife of retired NFL star Jason Kelce – is throwing back a couple of cold ones. Cans of water, that is.
Gallery: New RTD Cocktails from BeatBox, Minute Maid, Yacht Water, Jack & Coke
This latest roundup of spring RTD releases includes spiked options from iconic brands Minute Made and Coca-Cola, big name-drops like Grammy-nominated artist Lil Yachty and basketball legend Shaq, and a boozy brunch option from Cupcake Vineyards.
Infinium Spirits Buys Banana-Flavored Howler Head From Campari
Campari’s Howler Head Whiskey has been acquired by San Diego-based group Infinium Spirits, joining an expanding portfolio that includes Templeton Rye, Corralejo Tequila, Zaya Rum and Seagram’s Vodka.
Poppi Reaches $8.9M Settlement Over Gut Health Claims
As Pepsi closes the deal on its $1.65 billion acquisition of Poppi (VNGR Beverages), the prebiotic soda maker may be nearing another deal, this one with a class action group of consumers alleging they were misled by the drink’s gut-health claims.
Reviews: Slice Soda Returns, Töst Moves To Cans; Plus Ginsa, Lolli
Our latest review roundup sees the return of a classic soda, a new twist on Töst, a unique line of sparkling ginseng tonics, and THC-infused CSDs.
Flow: Co-Packing Drives Q1 Growth as Branded Water Business Slides
Flow Beverage Corp.’s co-packing business fueled double-digit growth in Q1, according to the Canadian water company’s latest earnings report this morning, while branded CPG sales remained down.
Coca-Cola’s Red Tree Adds Vodka Lemonades, Punch & More to Bev-Alc Lineup
More Minute Maid Spiked ready-to-drink (RTD) options are on the way from Coca-Cola’s “firewalled” bev-alc subsidiary, Red Tree Beverages.
How Spirit Companies Are Preparing For Uncertainty Amid Trade Disputes
As tariff threats continue to expand, spirit suppliers say they are losing purchase orders, facing the possibility of consumers trading down, and quickly assessing how to position their portfolios.
Taste Radio: Wild By Nature, Strategic By Design. It’s Why Wildwonder Is Surging.
Rosa Li, the founder and CEO of fast-growing functional beverage brand Wildwonder, explains how a focus on steady, incremental growth has been key to maintaining integrity. She also discusses how the brand aligns its expansion with core values, its unique position at the intersection of kombucha and soda, and the power of social listening in shaping the company’s future.
Expo West 2025 Video: How Perfy Has Stood Out from Packaging to Pizza Soda
At Natural Products Expo West 2025, we spoke with Perry CEO Vasa Martinez about the brand's approach to marketing; from the wacky to the more grounded, such as the company’s focus on its benefits for diabetic consumers.
Expo West: Plant Press Pushes Forward, Humm Flexes Formats
As we close out our Expo West coverage, we've got a first look at new branding from clean energy drink Plant Press, and a preview of new innovation from Humm Kombucha that takes the brand into new formats like shots, resealable aluminum bottles and nitro-infused cans. Plus updates from Gorgie and corn milk maker Maizly.
JuneShine and Willie Nelson’s Social Tonic Duet: Willie’s Remedy+
The country music star and his wellness enterprise partner Long Play, Inc. have partnered with California-based bev-alc maker JuneShine Brands to launch Willie’s Remedy+, a non-alcoholic (NA), intoxicating hemp-based “social tonic.”