Launched by beverage incubator L.A. Libations, Arriba is a new horchata-flavored energy drink that is currently sold exclusively at 7-Eleven stores. Aside from the word “energy” on the can, the formulation having caffeine (76mg), and being packaged in a container that’s often used for energy drinks, this product doesn’t have a whole lot in common with what you typically get from an energy beverage... and yet, the execution of the product is impressive.
Marketed as the "World's First Premium Cold Brewed Tea," Boston-based Evy Tea is a new brand of iced teas that are produced by seeping whole leaf teas in filtered cold water for 16-20 hours. Initially launched in large-format bottles, the company recently released a line of single-serve products that comes in three varieties. The beverages are quite tasty, and while the labels could use a tweak or two, Evy Tea is nevertheless off to a great start.
Pure Brazilian Coconut Water is a “raw,” high pressure processed (HPP) coconut water that is, as the name implies, produced in Brazil. Aside from “raw,” the key value proposition of what the company is selling is its belief that Brazilian coconuts produce better tasting coconut water than coconuts from other parts of the world.
Greater Than, which markets a line of sports drinks that use coconut water as a base, has gone through a few renditions in the formulation and packaging of its products, and the latest revamp is the brand's best yet. In addition to mainstream-appealing flavors and calorie counts, the products have migrated to a 16 oz. contour PET bottle, has been given a nice upgrade versus the company's previous efforts. All in all, it definitely feels like a step forward for the brand
Launched as an exclusive at Costco, Suja Essentials "Organic 3 Day Fresh Start" is promoted as "a hydration and whole food centered plan created to eliminate anything that doesn’t make you feel your best." The pack introduces three new juice varieties to Suja's Essentials line -- Green Greatness, Spicy Lemonade and Vanilla Nutz -- however, each are only available as part of the "Fresh Start" pack. The products continue upon Suja's reputation for well-formulated juice blends, and are a nice use of the Essentials branding.
True Organic is a new brand of pasteurized juice smoothies launched by California-based Grimmway Farms. Available in seven varieties, the juices are USDA Certified Organic and feature branding and messaging that is definitely well-designed and thought out. However, the technical execution of the packaging, which uses a full wrap clear label, leaves something to be desired.
True Solution’s chocolate-flavored nutrition shake is a soy- and dairy-free protein drink made with 17g of protein from pea protein concentrate. It's very drinkable compared to other pea protein products that we’ve sampled. Yet while the packaging certainly conveys what the product is, the brand feels very underdeveloped.
Mixing tea and coffee is something that we’ve admittedly never tried (or wanted to try, for that matter). But that’s exactly what Sweet Leaf has done with this new line of beverages, which currently comes in Original and Vanilla varieties.
We’ve been fans of Revive Kombucha since first sampling its products, and the company's latest effort, “Solar,” is no exception. Made with an organic yerba mate kombucha, cold-pressed ginger and lemon juices, and almond and vanilla extract, it tastes like yerba mate mixed with lemon lime soda and ginger ale -- the taste is quite good. However, we're a little confused by the name "Solar."
Rising Sun Thai Coconut Water is a not-from-concentrate coconut water that comes packaged in a 17.5 oz. steel can (imported from Thailand, of course). While it tastes good, the flavor is pretty much identical to any other brand of Thai coconut water that you’ll find on the market, so that leaves the brand with its packaging design as its only chance for being unique or memorable...
Aquadopa is a non-carbonated supplement drink made with L-Dopa, an amino acid, which is what the marketer uses as the foundation for its “focus, motivation, and drive” claim. From our perspective, the biggest challenge for this product is in articulating its benefit and educating the consumer on its primary ingredient.
Made with a blend of 25 “whole superfoods” including fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts, Chimp Food uses, unlike other smoothie or juice products, ingredients in their entirety, including stems, skins, rinds and seeds. It's a unique approach and one that we think has legs. But about the added stevia...
We certainly enjoyed the latest sampling of Vibrant Earth juices, and think that with a little refinement (and organic certification), the brand has a great future.
Produced in Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Barefoot Bucha is a line of certified organic kombucha drinks. Packaged in beautifully-designed swing-top glass bottles, the products feature a minimalist look, although what's inside are complex and delicious beverages that will please any kombucha enthusiast.
