NKD Distillery Turns To Kanna For NAKIES’ Functional Edge
NKD Distillery is launching its first RTD line, NAKIES, infused with kanna as demand grows for functional adult non-alcoholic alternatives.
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Taste Radio: How Amara Surged From DTC To National Retail
Grocery store aisles are inundated with claims, benefits and buzzwords. Amara has taken a different approach. In this conversation, founder and CEO Jess Sturzenegger explains how the kids food brand grew from DTC to national retail via disciplined innovation and operational scaling. She also gets candid about protecting founder control and adapting her own role as the company grows.
Smartwater Takes Fresh Swing at Sparkling with Latest Innovations
Coca-Cola’s premium water brand is getting back into sparkling water with a new line in bottles and cans, but the company says it’s not a response to Topo Chico’s production issues.
Review: Martinis Are Now Mobile With Write-Off
The canned martini brand launched this summer with three 8% ABV vodka-based offerings “designed for the places that should serve a great martini, but don’t."
Coca-Cola Tests Prebiotic Twist on Its Biggest Brands
Coca-Cola is putting some of its biggest brands to work in the rapidly growing functional soda category, testing prebiotic versions of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite Zero Sugar and Fresca.
KDP Gets Dirty With Soda Innovation, Flavor-Forward Energy SKUs
KDP shared an early look at its 2027 innovation pipeline highlighting dirty soda-aligned soft drink launches and creamy energy drink collabs.
Celsius Reveals Energy+ Hydration Line, Rockstar Rebrand
According to the company, the hydration drink is “fizz-free” and will hit retail shelves in early 2027.
THE CPG INSIDER WEEKLY
This week, we’re pondering if Graza is up for grabs, marveling at Magic Spoon’s refreshed branding, and getting buzzy with a Red Bull advent calendar.…
Settlement Reached in FTC’s Price Discrimination Lawsuit Against Southern Glazer’s
The deal, announced today, caps the price gap between chains and nearby independents, and orders SGWS to pay retailers directly if it violates the settlement going forward.
Hiyo Closes $20.8M Series B as Distribution Footprint Surges
Non-alcoholic social tonic maker Hiyo has closed an oversubscribed $20.8 million Series B round as it looks to build on its rapidly expanding retail footprint and push deeper into live entertainment and nightlife.
Surfside, Sun Cruiser Drive Prepared Cocktail Gains In Latest NIQ Scans
Prepared cocktails recorded another strong performance in NIQ’s weekly off-premise scans report, as the rest of the industry continues to tackle year-over-year (YoY) declines.
Taste Radio: Rage Bait Gets Attention. Innovation Builds Brands.
One misleading social post can spark a frenzy – but can brands keep playing with consumer trust? A brand’s curious ruse triggers a debate about the impact of “rage bait.” We also dig into Whole Foods’ latest LEAP cohort and hear from founders of three fast-growing brands about building community, creating better-for-you products and turning retail distribution into sustainable growth.
NA Beverages ‘Broadly Stable’ Over the Back-to-School Period
Non-alcoholic beverage sales stayed “healthy and broadly stable” through the two-week period ending September 19, 2026, according to the latest analysis of NielsenIQ scanner data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.
New Beverages: Liquid Death, Liquid I.V. Embrace Blood Orange; Mingle’s Non-Alc Espresso Martini
From blood orange flavors to caffeinated bone broth hot cocoa to something called "Eagleberry," we've got all the bases covered in this week's new products gallery.