Low-cal drinks
Low-cal drinks
Minute Maid recently launched a line of low-calorie juice drinks.
Minute Maid Light is available in 500-ml PET four-packs in four flavors: Lemonade,
Raspberry Passion, Mango Tropical and Guava Citrus. Made with real fruit juice,
the light line contains 5 calories per serving.
Minute Maid Light
The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta
Telephone: 404/676-2121
Distribution: National
Fruit twist
Diageo has introduced Smirnoff Twisted V (five), a line of fruit-flavored
malt beverages. Smirnoff Twisted V uses natural flavors to create a smooth-tasting,
flavorful and refreshing beverage, according to the company. It is available
in four flavors: Green Apple, Raspberry, Mandarin Orange and Cranberry. Each
12-ounce bottle features distinct "twisted" packaging with each fruit displayed
on a back label that is visible through the see-through front label. Smirnoff
Twisted V will be manufactured in Diageo's Plainfield, Ill., plant, and will
be priced similar to premium beers.
Smirnoff Twisted V
Diageo, Stamford, Conn.
Telephone: 203/359-7100
Internet: diageo.com
Distribution: National
Liquid tea
UniquePak Inc. has launched a line of liquid concentrate Chinese
teas in five flavors. Available in Peach, Raspberry, Lemon, Green and Green
Decaf flavors, Wuyi Rock Tea comes in a liquid packet with a tear-away corner.
Users are instructed to empty the packet of tea in hot or cold water before
drinking. The suggested retail price per 30-count box is $13.99.
Wuyi Rock Tea
UniquePak Inc., Chicago
Telephone: 312/640-1900
Internet: wuyirocktea.com
Distribution: National
Cappuccino revamp
Arizona Beverage Co. has reintroduced its Arizona Double Roasted
Cappuccino Shake and Arizona Rich Chocolaty Cappuccino Shake with a richer coffee
taste and new package. The shakes are now available in 10.5-ounce long-neck
bottles, and the label is designed to look like a burlap bag with coffee spilling
out. Both products are made with 100-percent Colombian coffee and milk, and
are sold for $1.49 to $1.69 per bottle.
Double Roasted Cappuccino Shake
Rich Chocolaty Cappuccino Shake
Arizona Beverage Co., Lake Success,
N.Y.
Telephone: 800/832-3775
Internet: arizonabev.com
Distribution: National
Ingredients: Rich Chocolaty: 100-percent
Colombian coffee, filtered water, sugar, milk, non-fat milk solids, pectin,
natural cocoa, natural flavors, dipotassium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate,
carrageenan, sucralose, vanillin
Low-carb tea
The Healthy Beverage Co., Bucks County, Pa., recently released
Low Carb Steaz Green Tea Soda for national consumption. Taking advantage of
the growing low-carb trend, Healthy Beverage says it created the soda to offer
a low-carb, low-calorie alternative to diet soda. Microbrewed from organic Ceylon
green tea, Low Carb Steaz Green Tea is fortified with vitamins A, C and the
Hawaiian stevia plant, which is used as a sweetener. Available in Black Cherry,
LemonLime and Cola flavors, each 12-ounce bottle contains antioxidant and antibacterial
properties similar to those found in a cup of green tea.
Soy delicious
8th Continent LLC, Minneapolis, has introduced 8th Continent
Light soymilk flavors made with Solae soy protein in Vanilla and Chocolate.
In addition to offering fewer carbohydrates and fewer calories than regular
8th Continent soymilk, which debuted last summer, the light version contains
vitamins D, A, B12 and riboflavin. The soymilk is sold in 64-ounce recyclable
glass bottles in grocery stores throughout the country.
Sport Shake Max
Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Kansas
City, Mo.
Telephone: 816/801-6478
Distribution: National
Ingredients: Chocolate Rush: Skim milk, sugar, cream, cocoa,
dextrose, cellulose gel, sodium phosphate, mono- and diglycerides, sodium ascorbate,
artificial flavor, cellulose gum, carrageenan, magnesium phosphate, calcium
phosphate, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3, vitamin E acetate, vitamin K1, pyridoxine,
thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, niacinamide, folic acid, vitamin B12, biotin,
pantothenic acid, ferric orthophosphate, zinc gluconate, potassium iodide, manganese
sulfate, sodium selenite, chromium chloride, sodium molybdate
Fitness shake
The Dairy Farmers of America recently launched Sport Shake Max,
a milk-based beverage, in four flavors: Strawberry Xtreme, Vanilla Blitz, Banana
Blast and Chocolate Rush. The shelf-stable beverage offers 24 vitamins and minerals,
and is available in convenience stores nationwide and grocery stores in New
York. The 10.5-ounce resealable glass bottles feature bilingual shrinksleeve
labels with see-through front panels.
Tropical mixer
Island Oasis Frozen Beverage Co., Walpole, Mass., has introduced
Papaya beverage mix, a fruit puree with 100 percent recommended daily allowance
of vitamin C. The papaya-based mix is fat free, cholesterol free and contains
no artificial flavorings. The company recommends blending Island Oasis Strawberry,
Banana and Papaya to create a Papaya Delight Smoothie.
New tea
Fuze Beverage LLC, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., has recently introduced
White Tea to a national audience. Fuze White Tea offers natural anti-
oxidants, polyphenols, folic acid and vitamins C, E, B3, B5, B6 and B12. Infused with orange blossom, Fuze White Tea will be distributed nationwide and available in 18-ounce glass bottles. The suggested retail price is $1.29 to $1.49 per bottle.
oxidants, polyphenols, folic acid and vitamins C, E, B3, B5, B6 and B12. Infused with orange blossom, Fuze White Tea will be distributed nationwide and available in 18-ounce glass bottles. The suggested retail price is $1.29 to $1.49 per bottle.
Sea-turtle saver
Honu Brewing Co. and Paradise Distributing recently launched
Honu Beer throughout Hawaii. Named after the Hawaiian word for sea turtle, Honu
Beer will benefit the World Turtle Trust, a non-profit organization that funds
sea turtle conservation efforts worldwide. Honu Beer is sold in clear bottles,
through which beer-lovers can see the back label featuring an image of a swimming
sea turtle. The beer retails for $6.99 per six-pack.
Honu Beer
Honu Brewing Co., Portland, Ore.
Telephone: 503/382-4108
Internet: macsbeer.com
Distribution: Hawaii
Rum rave
Cognac Ferrand has released Plantation Rum Grande Reserve, a premium, five-year-old rum from Barbados featuring vanilla, baked bananas, coconut and dried-fruit flavors. Produced as a cocktail rum and recommended for drinks such as Mojitos and Mai Tais, Grande Reserve is aged in Bourbon casks in the Caribbean. Packaged in 750-ml. bottles with a unique straw overlay, the product is priced below other rums on the market, according to the company.
Plantation Rum Grande Reserve
Cognac Ferrand, Viroflay, France
Telephone: 33/1-30-83-22-44
Internet: gafrance.net
Distribution: National
Organic ales
Otter Creek Brewing has announced it will release two new beers
in the coming months. Wolaver's organic Wit Bier, a Belgian-style white beer
made with orange peel and coriander; and Middleberry Ale, which features elderberry
and blueberry flavors, will be released in April. Both beers will be available
on draft and also sold in stores throughout the United States.
Wit Bier
Middleberry Ale
Otter Creek Brewing Inc., Middlebury,
Vt.
Telephone: 802/388-0727
Internet: ottercreekbrewing.com
Distribution: National
Anniversary brew
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this spring, BridgePort Brewing
has announced that Ropewalk Amber Ale is available in Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Montana, Alaska, Colorado and California. Featuring a mellow, malt flavor and
amber color, Ropewalk is packaged in whimsical packaging reminicent of the feeling
of excitement people get while watching a tight-rope walker, according to the
company.
Ropewalk Amber Ale
BridgePort Brewing Co., Portland,
Ore.
Telephone: 503/241-7179
Internet: bridgeportbrewing.com
Distribution: West
Mid-cal novelty
PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., is planning to launch Pepsi Edge, a
mid-calorie soda, in late summer. The product will have 75 calories, and will
be sweetened with a mix of Splenda and high fructose corn syrup. An ad campaign
is scheduled to launch in conjunction with the rollout.
Taster's Voice
This month's taster has a knack for beer, and specialty beers
top his list of favorites. Not to mention, he also brews beer at home. Although
he did notice that the embossed wine-style bottle package was unique to Sam
Adams' line of beers, it wasn't the package he was interested in, and opened
the bottle right away. Overall, the beer's chocolate flavor proved to be more
of an aftertaste than an overpowering cocoa surge, which he considered a benefit.
Let's just say he didn't wait until Valentine's Day to finish the bottle.
Cocoa-licious
The Boston Beer Co. introduced a chocolate-laced beer
in time for Valentine's Day. The brewer teamed with Scharffen Berger Chocolate
to create the perfect chocolate and beer blend. Using cocoa beans from Ghana
and adding a hint of vanilla, the dark brew features a full-bodied taste and
velvety finish, according to the company. Each 750-ml. bottle features an embossed
pewter label and pewter-colored neck cover. Only 50,000 bottles of the limited-edition
beer are available, and the suggested retail price per bottle is $14.99.
Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock
The Boston Beer Co., Boston, Mass.
Telephone: 617/368-5000
Internet: samadams.com
Distribution: National
IN Brief . . .
Alternative drinks…
Jones Soda Co., Seattle, recently added Strawberry Manilow to
Jones Naturals line of juice drinks. The new flavor will join Betty Pink Lemonade,
Berry White Strawberry Cherry & Grapefruit, D'Peach Mode, Fu Cran Fu, Dave,
Bananaberry, Limes with Orange, and Bada Bing! The company also has launched
Chocolate Fudge Soda in Meijer stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and
Illinois…
New Orleans Nectar Soda, produced by The Nectar Soda Co., Mandeville,
La., has teamed with Clover Club Bottling in Chicago to bottle and distribute
the carbonated drink in the Windy City…
Inko's LLC,
New York City, recently debuted Inko's White Peach White Tea, the third
flavor in the line of white tea products...
Cappuccino Americana Corp., Bensenville, Ill., recently debuted
Wild Stallion Energy Drink for fountain use. Citrus/Tropical and Red Zone/Wild
Cherry flavors are currently available…
Izze Beverage Co.,
Boulder, Colo., recently introduced a new flavor in its line of sparkling
juice drinks: Sparkling Clementine. In other company news, Izze sparkling
fruit juice is now available in Harry and David stores across the country...
Maui Madness Mai Tai Mix was recently
introduced as part of San Diego-based Baja Bob's Low-Carb Bar Mix line-up. Made with Splenda, the line
is available in stores throughout the United States...
The Gatorade Co., Chicago, recently announced that Gatorade
X-Factor is now available in Lemon-Lime with Strawberry, Orange with Tropical
Fruit and Fruit Punch with Berry flavors. Additionally, Gatorade All-Stars flavors
now include Pink Lemonade and Ice Punch, and Propel Fitness Water is available
in Grape and Tropical Citrus flavors…
Hobarama LLC, Miami, has introduced Guaranexx nationwide. Guaranexx
is a caffeine-infused, sugar-free soft drink sweetened with Ace K and sucralose…
The Tradewinds Beverage Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, offers three
new ready-to-drink tea flavors: Diet Raspberry Tea and Diet Green Tea, which
feature no carbohydrates, and Mango Green Tea…
Coffee/Tea…
Routin America, New York City, has launched seven new flavors
in its 1883 de Philibert Routin syrup line. Chai, White Chocolate, Gingerbread,
Butterscotch, Tiramisu, Eggnog and Mango flavors are now available in 1-liter
glass bottles…
Nestlé USA Inc., San Francisco, has introduced Coffee-mate Latte
Creations in Vanilla, Mocha and Classic flavors that can be added to regular
coffee. Coffee-mate Half & Half has also been launched in Vanilla and Hazelnut
flavors…
Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, Columbus, Ohio, now offers Coffee
for Independent Thinkers at The Anderson's Specialty Food Market's six Ohio
locations…
Rocamojo Inc., Woodland Hills, Calif., received the Nutrition
Business Journal's 2003 Business Achievement Award in the Product Merit Category
for its Rocamojo and Rocamojo Blend coffees. The awards will be presented in
July…
Pura Vida Coffee,
Seattle, recently announced that its "Triple Seal" coffees, which
are 100-percent certified fair trade, organic, and shade-grown, are now available
on nine college campuses...
Tully's Coffee,
Seattle, has released Zambia AA, the second blend in its Limited Reserve Coffee
Series. Zambia AA is a wet-processed, sun-dried coffee grown in Zambia's Upper
Kaleya Valley on the TerraNovva estate...
Chock full o'Nuts, New York City, has debuted
New York Roast, a dark roast blend coffee…
Spirits…
Camus Cognac recently
announced it has expanded its U.S. distribution to 14 states and the District
of Columbia. Camus previously had distribution in California, Kentucky, Indiana,
Missouri and New Hampshire...
Allied Domecq Spirits,
Westport, Conn., and Malibu Caribbean-flavored rum have announced the arrival
of two new fruit flavors: Pineapple and Mango. Malibu Caribbean Rum with Natural
Pineapple Flavor and Malibu Caribbean Rum with Natural Mango Flavor are available
nationally...
Dairy drinks…
Promised Land Dairy,
San Antonio, Texas, has introduced a new flavor: Marvelous Mocha. The milk
features a combination of Mocha Java and all-Jersey cow milk…
New Product Introductions by Category | ||
Category | No. of Reports'03/'04/% change | No. of SKUs '03/'04/% change |
Wine & Wine Coolers | 26/33/27 | 78/129/65 |
Beer & Ale | 12/21/75 | 24/29/21 |
Liqueurs & Other Alcohol Drinks | 37/33/(11) | 67/69/3 |
Bottled Waters | 4/7/75 | 10/17/70 |
Soft Drinks | 11/11/ -- | 88/23/(74) |
Isotonic, Energy Producing Beverages | 11/18/64 | 21/30/43 |
Health Drinks | 9/4/(56) | 40/10/(75) |
Fruit & Fruit Flavored Drinks | 28/21/(25) | 127/93/(27) |
Vegetable & Vegetable Flavored Drinks | 1/1/ -- | 6/1/(83) |
Baby Beverages | 9/4/(56) | 14/30/114 |
Milk, Non-Dairy Milk & Yogurt Drinks | 8/15/88 | 19/43/126 |
Tea | 4/8/100 | 15/21/40 |
Coffee | 10/7/(30) | 48/90/88 |
Beverage Mixes & Flavorings | 8/13/63 | 47/39/(17) |
Grand Totals: | 178/196/10 | 604/624/3 |
Source: Productscan Online (www.productscan.com). Current year-to-date introductions as of Feb. 23, 2004. Previous year-to-date introductions as of Feb. 23, 2003. |
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