Reviews

Initially launched in New York City, Honest Tea’s Raspberry Tea is a new offering that very much follows in the footsteps of the company's successful line of “Just a Tad Sweet” organic teas.

So what is Kwass’up? It’s a drink inspired by kvass, a fermented beverage that is made from rye bread and commonly consumed in Russia. Kwass'up's biggest hurdle -- at least outside of stores that exclusively cater to Russian consumers -- will be education around kvass (What is it? Why do you need it?).

AriZona’s new Soda Shaq line, a quartet of cream soda beverages created in partnership with Shaquille O’Neal, has — expectedly — attracted quite a bit of attention since its launch…

Earlier this year, ChanTea, a line of green teas blended with aloe plup, was rebranded as TEAloe. The new name came with revamped packaging and a minor tweak in formulation.…

Purity Organic recently released a trio of new tea varieties -- Honey Green Tea, Peach Black Tea, and Raspberry Black Tea -- each of which are impressive additions to its line of organic juices and coconut waters. Outstanding in both formulation and packaging, one of the products garnered a coveted five-star review...

At a time when a more and more consumers seek out healthier kids’ beverage options, we’re beginning to see a steady trickle of new products that offer all-natural and low-sugar…

Just Chill, a line of relaxation supplements, recently unveiled new packaging graphics and a few tweaks in the formulation of its products. Sporting a new tagline of “Promotes a Chill Mentality,” Just Chill has done well to stand out as one of the few products in the relaxation/stress relief category, that's a.) actually enjoyable to consume, and b.) can appeal to a broad audience.

Of the two flavors of Blue Donkey that we sampled (Original and Light), it was this one, Light, that we preferred. That being said, the two varieties aren’t all that different and, despite being named Light, this product really isn’t something that is low in calories (it has 120 per 8 oz. serving).

A semifinalist in BevNET's New Beverage Showdown 5, Taki Mai is marketed as a “naturally calming” kava supplement. While the coconut-flavored product has a rather polished look and a straightforward and enjoyable taste, we wonder about the marketability of a liquid supplement that is made with a niche ingredient and in a category, relaxation, that -- no pun intended -- appears to be slowing.

While it’s not the first beverage to feature a cereal and milk flavor — that  honor belongs to Larry T’s short-lived Liquid Cereal — Cow Wow is certainly an innovative…

Koa, the first runner-up in BevNET's New Beverage Showdown 5, is marketed as an "organic water" made from 100 percent juice. Wait, what? A water made from juice? Yes, indeed. The company uses a unique and proprietary process to extract and clarify a blend of fruit and vegetable juices to create one of the most innovative water products that we've ever seen.

Sure, ready-to-drink tea remains a growth category, but the number of brands entering the space or extending current lines is increasing by the day. Crowded shelves makes branding and packaging of critical importance for brands to stand out amongst competing products. And the lack of a polished or innovative look is the most significant problem facing Pure Leaf, a line of iced tea drinks marketed by PepsiCo.

A semifinalist in the recently held New Beverage Showdown 5 at BevNET Live Summer '13, Minta is a new line of mint-flavored sodas. The brand comes in original and diet varieties, each of which are packaged in a proprietary 12 oz. bottle. While the drinks could use some minor tweaks in formulation, Minta has done a great job overall.

There are a number of energy drink companies that have incorporated coconut water into their products, but, generally speaking, it is an ingredient that often gets overpowered and lost among stronger flavors. Fortunately, that’s far from the case with this Hiball Energy's new Coconut Water variety. Instead, the beverage tastes, first and foremost, like a coconut water drink.