Co-branded candy flavors truly aren’t just for energy drinks anymore. This week’s new products feature three new co-branded offerings from The Ryl Co., Sparkling Ice and No Cap, along with an assortment of new modern soda launches, THC-infused beverages and energy drink innovations from both leading brands and category newcomers.
The Ryl Co.
The Ryl Co. is launching Jolly Rancher flavored canned ice teas. The line includes Strawberry, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple and Cherry flavors, each made with 0 grams of sugar, an “antioxidant superblend” and packaged in 16 oz. cans. The line can be purchased online for $34.99 per 12-pack. For more information go to drinkryl.com.
Sparkling Ice
Talking Rain’s premier flavored beverage brand Sparkling Ice has partnered with Mars, Inc. for a line of co-branded Life Savers candy flavors. Available in Green Apple, Pineapple, Strawberry and Wild Cherry varieties, each 17 oz. bottle contains vitamins and antioxidants, zero sugar and is free from artificial dyes. The drinks are available online direct-to-consumer for $17.49 per 12-pack. For more information go to sparklingice.com.
No Cap
Better-for-you soda maker No Cap will launch its latest co-branded ICEE flavor next month: ICEE Cherry Cola. The partnership between the two brands began last fall with a Blue Raspberry flavor and this latest launch comes in a 16 oz. can containing no caffeine and added electrolytes. For more information go to drinknocapsoda.com.
GuS Soda
GuS Soda, aka Grown-Up Soda, has introduced 12 oz. slim cans for its Ginger Ale, Mango Peach and Blackberry flavors. The cans complement the brand’s existing glass bottled line and are made with real juice and cane sugar with 90-95 calories per can. The canned line is launching online through existing sellers and will roll out into brick-and-mortar through beverage and foodservice distribution partners. For more information visit drinkgus.com.
Slice
Slice Soda, the classic 80s soda brand which relaunched last year under the ownership of Suja Life, is continuing to lean on nostalgia with its latest flavors: Pacific Pop and Apple. Made with 5 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar and 35 calories per 12 oz. can, the new flavors are now available in Target stores nationwide. For more information visit slicesoda.com.
Nowadays
Nowadays, maker of premium THC-infused beverages, is launching its latest LTO: a limited edition Black Cherry made with 5 mg of hemp-derived THC per 1.5 oz. serving. Billed as an “uplifting experience for any occasion,” each 750 ml multiserve bottle contains about 17 servings (83 mg total THC per unit) and is priced at $68.99 each. For more information go to trynowadays.com.
So Good So You
Best known for its line of juice shots, So Good So You is sizing up with its latest innovation: an 8.4 oz. canned, organic, sparkling energy drink made with real fruit juice and organic caffeine. The drinks come in Strawberry Mango, Pineapple Passionfruit, Tangerine Berry and Raspberry Lemon flavors and have launched this month as a Target exclusive. For more information visit sogoodsoyou.com.
Jiant
Hard tea producer Jiant is innovating for the sober curious crowd, launching Jiant Hop Tea, a canned, zero alc yerba mate brewed with real hops – its first non-alc offering. Available in a single Tropical Citrus flavor, the tea aims to deliver “the crisp satisfaction of a refreshing IPA with the clean finish of an iced tea.” For more information go to drinkjiant.com.
Caveman Coffee
Caveman isn’t just making coffee these days: its latest release is Organic Sparkling Energy Hibiscus Tea. Each 12 oz. can is organic certified and contains 90 mg of caffeine sourced from organic green coffee. The drinks are available direct-to-consumer for $35.99 per 6-pack (about $6 per can) and are expected to launch in retail in the future. For more details go to cavemancoffee.com.
Vibations
Cannabis CPG business MariMed Inc. is feeling the good Vibations. Vibations is a line of powdered electrolyte drink mixes made with 5 mg of fast acting, hemp-derived THC and 5 mg of THCV per stick pack. The line comes in Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, Lemon Lime and Half and Half varieties and is available in Rhode Island. For more information go to drinkvibations.shop.
Jittery Joe’s
Georgia-based Jittery Joe’s Coffee has partnered with Atlanta’s iconic Fox Theatre to create a Fox Theatre Blue Sky Blend – a custom dark roast dry coffee with proceeds benefitting the Theatre’s Fox Gives philanthropy program. The coffee will be available in medium grind and whole bean varieties both on site at the Fox Theatre gift shop and nationwide online at jitteryjoes.com for $21.99 per 12 oz. can.
Rockstar Energy
PepsiCo’s Rockstar Energy’s first new flavor of the year is Punched Blackberry, a “dark berry” flavor with full sugar and 160 mg of caffeine. With Rockstar’s operations now under the stewardship of PepsiCo partner Celsius, the new flavor is launching exclusively in select West Coast states. For more information go to rockstarenergy.com.
Alani Nu
Celsius’ Alani Nu kicked off the new year with a limited edition Cherry Bomb favor, the brand’s first “cola-inspired” innovation. The LTO offers a blend of “candied cherry, smooth vanilla, and spiced vintage cola” flavors, according to the brand. For more information go to alaninu.com.