Sweetened with a blend of erythritol and stevia, Golazo's sugar-free varieties contain 10 calories per 12 oz. slim can, hence their "all-natural" tag. We're quite pleased with the formulation of the drinks, which also contain electrolytes and 100mg of caffeine, and, given the recent bad PR for mainstream energy products, we also like Golazo's approach of being a “sports energy drink.”
Marketed as "6 functional drinks in one bottle,” GreenFit is a new brand of all-natural drinks that are infused with protein, energy, fiber, antioxidants, "green superfoods" and electrolytes. While these added ingredients might be beneficial, it’s hard to imagine how many consumers want all of these benefits at once and are willing to sacrifice flavor in order to get them.
We're seeing a growing number of carbonated kombucha products on the market, including Live Soda, a brand of drinks that blend kombucha and soda. The products, which come in three varieties, are sugar- and stevia-sweetened and nicely formulated and feature flavors that may find some mainstream traction -- something that has eluded the kombucha category.
While Nu Smoothie is certainly a straightforward product -- it's a 100 percent blend of purées and juices -- we're left feeling as though the company is chasing a juice/nectar market that existed a decade ago.
Oatworks recently unveiled a revamp of its ready-to-drink oat-based beverages. Now promoted as an “oat-powered natural smoothie,” the three-SKU drink line features new packaging and a tweak in formulation of the drinks to create a slightly more viscous mouthfeel. Have the updates to the brand changed our opinion of the products? Not exactly...
Fit Pro “Daily” is a protein/meal replacement beverage that is made with real milk. However, unlike many other dairy-based protein drinks, Fit Pro is lactose-free. On the whole, we think the company has created something that can, at least when it comes to the balance of taste and nutrition, hold its own against pretty much any protein drink out there.
Goldenhive is a micro-brewed tea that is made with organic tea, unrefined Northwest honey and lemon juice. The flavor is simple and straightforward, with a smooth but bold base of black tea and loads of honey flavor. Overall, we really like the flavor of this product and feel as though it could, with some further development of the brand, have some potential.
As is often the case with similar flavors from other kombucha lines, Kombucha Mama's Lemon Ginger flavor is the most mainstream in its lineup. All in all, this beverage is quite well-crafted.
Based in New Haven, Conn., Project Fresh is a new line of raw, cold-pressed juices that are marketed as "raw organic craft cleanses." The drinks, which quickly gained distribution throughout Whole Foods' North Atlantic region, come in five varieties. In our sampling of three of the flavors, it's clear that the company has created an excellent array of juice blends, with some pretty solid branding behind the line.
Blossom Water, which describes itself as an “all natural essence water,” is a line of fruit- and flower-enhanced drinks. Sweetened with agave and erythritol, the waters are sophisticated, but, very drinkable. However, in the long run, the packaging will need some work.
Brooklyn-based Plan Tea has launched two new varieties -- Masala Chai and Green Tea with Mango -- to its line of organic teas. Well-formulated and incorporating a couple new packaging changes, the products are excellent additions to the brand.
Watersensations is a new line of liquid enhancers that come packaged in the company's innovative, patent pending “LiquiPack.” In our review of the brand's "energy" variety, we think the company has done a great job in creating a pleasant flavor profile and a product with added functionality (energy) that will likely attract more mainstream appeal. On the branding front, however, watersensations could use a little work.
Aloe drinks remain a category on an upward trend, and Sabila, which markets a line of aloe beverages, has created a solid brand with some excellent formulations and blends. That being said, Sabila, like other competing products, would benefit from a shake-up in its packaging -- most of these aloe drinks look a lot alike, no?
In the latest iteration of the brand, Powercoco has revamped its label and shuffled its flavor varieties, adding a new Fruit Punch product in the process. We like the updates to the beverage line but think that the brand still has a bit more room to grow in terms of its look and positioning.
