A handful of adult non-alcoholic (ANA) beverages came to the Specialty Food Association’s Summer Fancy Food Show this week to introduce themselves to the category and show off new product innovation in the growing alcohol-free RTD set.
Luba Libations
Wisconsin-based Luba Libations launched last month with four varieties of 12 oz. canned ANA cocktails: Cranberry Cosmo, Grapefruit Paloma, Kyiv Mule and Lime Margarita. Luba, which is both “love” in Ukrainian and the name co-founder Christiana Trapani used for her grandmother, is taking a less-is-more approach to the mocktail set by not using adaptogens or functional ingredients. The brand is also giving back 1% of every purchase to support ocean conservation through the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. For more information, visit drinkluba.com
Dirty Virgin
Dirty Virgin is using the category expertise of co-founders John Maloney and James Zackler (who met working at Anheuser-Busch InBev) to build the brand through on-premise in the New York area. About six months since launch, the brand has garnered some early partnerships in the Brooklyn club scene and is targeting independent bottle shops for its retail foothold. The low-sugar, electrolyte-infused canned drinks come in 12 oz. slim cans, available in three varieties – Virgin Spritz, Virgin Margarita and Virgin Mule. For more information, visit drinkdirtyvirgin.com
Pari
Pari, founded by Alessia Vettese, recently celebrated its first full year in business after launching its second Yuzu Chili-flavored Slice of Spice in March. The new lightly carbonated variety joins Pari’s first offering, Modern Mule, in over 150 retail doors. The brand is onboarding with a new distributor so that it can launch into New York natural grocery chains Citarella and Fairway. For more information, visit drinkpari.com
Jessie’s
Jessie’s is the ANA beverage offshoot of New Jersey’s Famous Bartending School. The one-year-old brand makes canned options that position as ANA cocktails or mixers. The brand offers 12 oz. slim cans in four varieties: White Cosmopolitan, Passion Fruit Margarita, Mango Chili Mojito and Lychee Martini. For more information, visit drinkjessies.com
Pentire
U.K.-based ANA spirit maker is bringing its canned innovation stateside. The 3-SKU line (Coastal Spritz, Paloma and Margarita) of 6.7 oz. mini-cans are all based on popular recipes the brand has developed from its multiserve bottles. The canned cocktails are formulated with Pentire’s plant blend of locally-sourced botanicals as well as Cornish ingredients like seaweed extract and sea salt. For more information, visit us.pentiredrinks.com
Ginny
Toronto, Canada-based Ginny debuted its prelaunch ANA products this week. The 6.5 oz. slim can cocktails pack 4,000 mg of adaptogens from holy basil, ginger, ginseng and goji berries. The brand will initially release two flavors – Blueberry Lavender Calamansi and Hibiscus Yuzu Ginger – melding the cultural backgrounds of cofounders Bianci Mensah and Thaniyia Mano. For more information, visit sipginny.com
Siponey
Honey-based brand Siponey is the ANA repositioning of the eponymous rye whiskey spritz brand. The brand pivoted out of alcoholic canned cocktails last May so it could expand its retail and distribution opportunities without the challenges of TTB and ABC regulations. The 12 oz. slim cans are now available in four varieties: Tropics, Botanics, Roots and Pollinator. For more information, visit siponey.com