The stars are out this week as we check out new releases from Millie Bobbie Brown’s Florence By Mills Coffee and a limited-release collaboration between “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” host Guy Fieri and Waterloo. We also check out OHMG, a U.K. import that highlights magnesium as its hero ingredient. To submit your beverage product to BevNET for review, click here. And to browse past reviews, check the archive here.
Millie Bobby Brown’s Florence By Mills Coffee is moving into the ready-to-drink category with its new dairy milk lattes. The 11.15 oz. canned lattes come in four flavors: Original Chill, Vanilla Bliss, Mocha Delight and Caramel Drizzle. Each serving contains approximately 70mg of caffeine and 130 calories.
Things that stand out:
- The simple, modern aesthetic and pastel-colored cans stand out in the RTD coffee set that is plagued by darker colors. The hints of purple tastefully tie the Florence by Mills Coffee to its sister site that produces beauty products.
- Light, easy-drinking flavors; the use of cane sugar gives the drink an enjoyable sweetness while avoiding the aftertaste of alt-sweeteners. Original Chill was our favorite.
- The caffeine content broadens appeal and opens the product up to multiple use occasions, including as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Things to consider:
- The main callout refers to the product as “Iced Coffee,” while a smaller font toward the lip of the can says “Coffee Latte Drink.” Labeling the RTD as a “Coffee Latte Drink” in larger font would make it clearer on-shelf that the product contains milk.
- The ingredients list includes “non-dairy creamer” but does not disclose the base of the creamer (soy, oat, etc.). Being more transparent would benefit consumers with food allergies.
Rating: 
Texas-based flavored sparkling water co. Waterloo has teamed up with celebrity chef Guy Fieri for a trip through “Flavortown” in the guise of three LTO releases: Huckleberry Cobbler, Spiced Mango Sorbet and Lemon Italian Ice.
Things we liked:
- Some truly differentiated concepts: Waterloo has always focused on flavor, and you won’t find too many like this on the sparkling shelf.
- Labels are bold and engaging, featuring “Flavortown” signposts and different vistas (desert, beach, mountains) to reflect each flavor.
Things to consider:
- Huckleberry Cobbler somewhat disappoints, lacking a bit of extra oomph to distinguish from other berry flavored carbonated waters.
Rating:
U.K.-based OHMG is a line of canned functional sparkling waters made with 100 mg of magnesium per 330 mL can. In addition to its unflavored “Au Naturel” offering, each flavor has an additional functional benefit, including Blackcurrant & Vitamin C, Peach & Rosemary + Ashwagandha, Raspberry & Lemon Balm.
Things That Stand Out:
- OHMG is embracing the growing NA relaxation drinks category and is on trend with functional beverage innovation.
- Can design is simple with a clean, color-coded approach to designate flavors.
- While it is found in a number of relaxation drinks (such as Recess), calling out magnesium as the hero ingredient gives OHMG a more unique position in the category.
- The drink is zero calorie and zero sugar, plus the company is B Corp certified.
Things to Consider:
- The flavor was more medicinal than we expected on the first sip. It settles in but it takes getting used to and could be polarizing.
- Copy on the can reads as if it assumes the consumer is already aware of what magnesium does and could take a more educational approach.
- Could do more to prioritize the “Relaxation” call out by moving to the front of the can.
Rating: 