In response to growing consumer demand for healthier carbonated beverages, Sparkling Ice has launched a line of unsweetened, naturally flavored, zero-calorie essence waters that contain no artificial colors or preservatives. Parent company Talking Rain announced the news in a press release Tuesday, with president and CEO Kevin Klock saying the line extension came out of “a significant shift in consumer preferences and buying habits over the past few years.”
“We found that this was a need state that Sparkling Ice consumers had at times and we wanted to be able to keep them in the family,” Klock said in a call with BevNET. “It’s an extension for the brand that’s a natural fit.”
The four-SKU line will hit shelves in May. Varieties include essence of lemon lime, essence of peach, and essence of tangerine flavors, as well as unflavored sparkling water. The line will debut at Target stores nationwide, Stop & Shop stores on the East Coast and Safeway stores on the West Coast, where it will retail for $1.19-1.29 per 17 oz. bottle. Klock indicated that the line extension could create a path for the Sparkling Ice brand, whose flagship products are formulated with artificial ingredients, into the natural channel.
“This gives Sparkling Ice its first brand that that could go into retailers like Whole Foods or Sprouts where our existing brands couldn’t play,” Klock added. “It opens us up to a larger base.”
Meanwhile, PepsiCo-owned water brand Aquafina announced the launch of a flavored sparkling water line extension on Tuesday. Aquafina Sparkling hits shelves nationwide this week in Black Cherry Dragonfruit, Lemon Lime and Orange Grapefruit flavors. Each 12 oz. can contains 10 calories, “the tiniest pinch of Fair Trade Certified sugar”, and will retail for $1.19.
Talking Rain’s full press release can be found below:
SEATTLE, April 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Sparkling Ice®, part of the Talking Rain® Beverage Company portfolio, is pleased to announce its launch of Sparkling Ice® essence of sparkling water. The new collection is free of sweeteners, contains zero calories, no artificial colors or preservatives, and delivers a refreshing essence of natural flavors.
The new product line, developed in response to consumer demand for healthier carbonated beverage alternatives, will offer four skus: a non-flavored sparkling water and three lightly-flavored versions featuring essence of lemon lime, essence of peach and essence of tangerine – a collection of fun, refreshing, and simple sparkling waters.
“With a significant shift in consumer preferences and buying habits over the past few years, we’ve created a product that appeals to consumers who are seeking out beverage alternatives like sparkling water,” said Kevin Klock, President and CEO of Talking Rain Beverage Co. “Our new lightly flavored Sparkling Ice waters allow consumers to enjoy the benefits of natural flavors and zero calories, without sacrificing the authentic flavor and carbonation that our fans love.”
The packaging features a clear bottle with bright, bold color accents to distinguish the four different flavor varieties. The contemporary look was designed to fit naturally into the everyday consumer’s lifestyle, while appealing to all Sparkling Ice customers – adults, children, millennials, and young families alike.
The new lightly flavored Sparkling Ice collection will be available at Target stores nationwide beginning in May 2016, and also in select Stop & Shop’s on the East Coast and in Safeway stores on the West Coast. The new line will be sold in single serve bottles for a retail price of $1.19-$1.29.
For more information about Sparkling Ice products and flavors, please visit www.SparklingIce.com andwww.facebook.com/SparklingICE.
About Sparkling Ice Beverages
Sparkling Ice beverages combine sparkling water, natural flavors, fruit juice and vitamins to offer a great tasting lightly carbonated beverage. Sparkling Ice is the Bold Side of Water®, offering a bold, flavored, lightly-carbonated beverage that appeals to all age groups. Available in eleven refreshing flavors: Black Raspberry, Orange Mango, Pink Grapefruit, Kiwi Strawberry, Coconut Pineapple, Pomegranate Blueberry, Peach Nectarine, Lemon Lime, Crisp Apple, Cherry Limeade, Strawberry Watermelon and new in 2016 Black Cherry. Sparkling Ice Lemonades, launched in 2013, are available in three refreshing flavors: Classic Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade and Peach Lemonade. Sparkling Ice Teas launched nationally in 2015 and include Peach Tea, Raspberry Tea, Lemon Tea and Half & Half flavors. In 2016, the brand introduced the Sparkling Ice essence of sparkling water collection, which features four natural flavor varieties free of sweeteners, artificial colors or preservatives. Sparkling Ice is part of the Talking Rain family of beverages, and retails for $1.19-$1.29. To locate Sparkling Ice, visit www.sparklingice.com/locate/.