What's hitting the shelves? New beverage launches: from sun-powered cider to Coca-Cola biscuits
Sunny cider
Juicy Apple, a brand-new creation by the UK’s Thatchers Cider, launches in retail this month (pictured above).
Made using 100% renewable electricity, including power generated from the 3,500 solar panels at Thatchers’ Myrtle Farm in Somerset, the new 4% ABV cider is now available in supermarket Morrisons, and will be rolled out across other major retailers in the coming months.
The cider was initially launched in pubs and bars in April: seeking to bring in new drinkers and appeal to younger audiences, with a vibrant look and feel designed to give it great shelf stand out.
As well as being made from 100% renewable electricity, the CO2 produced in the fermentation process is captured and used as bubbles in the cider.
The launch is being supported by a largescale PR and digital advertising campaign, targeting fun loving, eco-conscious, new cider drinkers.
The out of home, social media, mobile display and influencer messaging will be seen at least 29 million times combined, reaching over half of all 20-somethings in the UK, estimates Thatchers.
Juicy Apple is now available in Morrisons as a single 500ml bottle (RRP £2.50), 4 x 400ml can packs (RRP £5.75) and 10 x 440ml can packs (RRP £11).
It will also be available nationally across major retailers in the coming months.
Coca-Cola X OREO
A pair of limited-time-only products — Coca‑Cola OREO Zero Sugar and OREO Coca‑Cola Sandwich Cookie — are now available in the US and other global markets.
The new launches leverage both brands’ signature tastes and iconography to deliver ‘playfully unexpected’ innovations. Both sport a sleek, black-and-white packaging design that remains true to the two brands’ iconic personalities while embracing creative elements like OREO cookie embossments and stacked Coca‑Cola bottles.
The exclusive offerings are the latest drops from the global Coca‑Cola Creations platform: a series designed to engage Gen Z with the brand through exciting new products and digital experiences.
The OREO Coca‑Cola Sandwich Cookie features two signature chocolate basecakes paired with a Coca‑Cola taste, embossed with Coca‑Cola designs, with a smooth white-colored creme and studded with red edible glitter. Coca‑Cola OREO Zero Sugar features a refreshing Coca‑Cola taste with flavorful, OREO cookie-inspired hints.
Like previous Coca‑Cola Creations drops, the collab complements the limited-time-only products with immersive digital and physical experiences designed for friends to enjoy together. Fans can activate “Bestie Mode” by scanning on-pack QR codes to merge their music tastes and create custom Spotify playlists commemorating their friendship. Bestie Mode will translate IRL, as well, through live experiences including Ferris wheel takeovers and the opportunity for friends to create matching temporary tattoos and more.
The launch is also the largest Coca‑Cola Creations partnership, by far. Coca‑Cola OREO Zero Sugar will hit stores beginning in September in 35 markets worldwide, including the United States, Canada, China, Mexico and Brazil. A frozen variation of Coca‑Cola OREO Zero Sugar will also be available at participating 7-Eleven locations in select markets.
LaCroix's latest innovation
Sparkling water superstar LaCroix, by National Beverage Corp. has introduced its latest flavor innovation: Strawberry Peach.
Launching with summery vibes and bright packaging, LaCroix Strawberry Peach ‘blends the sweet, vibrant taste of strawberries with the luscious, juicy flavor of peaches’.
The new flavor will initially launch at select retailers in the US, soon to be expanded nationwide.
High protein kefir drinks
Biotiful Gut Health, the UK’s top kefir brand, is launching a new range of high protein kefir drinks: combining clean protein with natural gut health for the food to go category.
The products represent a world first, says the brand, as they mark the first time that any brand has managed to combine 20g of clean protein with live cultures in a fermented dairy drink.
Kefir and protein are the two fastest growth categories in convenience, according to IRI Total Market data. However, Biotiful Gut Health spies a gap in the market for high quality clean protein products without artificial ingredients.
These new High Protein Kefir Drinks come in Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry, each with 20g natural protein per 330ml bottle [RRP: £1.95]. The products contain billions of live cultures, calcium and vitamin B12 and are low in fat.
The Happy Pear
Irish plant-based company, The Happy Pear, is launching its Vita Vibe vitamin drinks in the UK.
The drinks are being launched alongside a collection of products that also includes a high fiber granola.
Founded by Irish twins, Dave and Steve Flynn, The Happy Pear was began in 2004 and now consists of a café, broad product range, more than 15 online courses, six cookbooks, a regenerative organic farm and roastery.
Country Water
Providing a Southern twist to the canned wine industry, Country Water has launched to consumers with four canned wines: Strawberry As All Get Out, Bless Your Heart Blueberry, Whistle Wetter White Wine and Roll in the Hey Rosé.
With a nod to North Carolina’s wine production history - which dates back to the 17th century - Country Water’s portfolio of canned wines celebrate the state’s thriving wine industry. Made with grapes, strawberries and blueberries, Country Water sources its fruit from Mocksville, NC – an area in the Yadkin Valley – which is known for its wine making capabilities.
Founder Tana Cowin – who started Country Water after 10 years in the wine industry - designed Country Water was created to make the wine category feel more fun, approachable, modern and less pretentious with a bit of Southern flare.
The wines have been created to make sipping wine easy: whether at the beach, at a pool party, at a backyard BBQ or even a movie night.
Each drink has an 8% ABV and a SRP of $8 per can.
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