Thousands of people flocked to Times Square for yoga sessions, health and wellness talks, music and tranquility for the Lucy Summer Solstice in Times Square event on June 21, which featured Sydney-based Balance as the official beverage sponsor of the event. Packaged in a biodegradable and recyclable bottle, Balance Mind is a non-flavored, enhanced water that features the functional benefits of focus and concentration.

As companies continue to position bottled water as a healthier refreshment, the category saw sales rebound across segments leading to an overall category boost of 2.9 percent for more than $7.7 billion in sales, according to SymphonyIRI Group, Chicago, for the 52 weeks ending May 15 in U.S. supermarkets, drug stores, gas and convenience stores and mass merchandise outlets, excluding Wal-Mart.

LifeAID Beverage Co. launched GolferAID, a functional beverage designed by doctors to enhance the functions that are required during a game of golf.

Next month, H2M Beverages LLC will introduce a new beverage called 984, which features a twist-cap that holds nine vitamins and 84 minerals.

Preston, Wash.-based TalkingRain Beverage Co. recently placed a focus on its Sparkling Ice enhanced water brand, which in turn has experienced a national surge. 

 Inspired by Suzanne Collins’ novel, “The Hunger Games,” AquaNew’s Watt-Ahh bottled water brand created Thirst Games, a program that challenges young adults between the ages of 12 and 18 to submit water conservation or fundraising ideas.

 The overall bottled water category reported nearly $6.7 billion in sales and a 3.4 percent increase in dollar sales during the  52 weeks ending April 14 in food, drug and mass merchandise stores including Walmart, according to New York City-based Nielsen.