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.

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta

Telephone: 404/676-2121

Distribution: National

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.

Diageo, Stamford, Conn.

Telephone: 203/359-7100

Internet: diageo.com

Distribution: National

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.

UniquePak Inc., Chicago

Telephone: 312/640-1900

Internet: wuyirocktea.com

Distribution: National

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Otter Creek Brewing Inc., Middlebury, Vt.

Telephone: 802/388-0727

Internet: ottercreekbrewing.com

Distribution: National

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.

BridgePort Brewing Co., Portland, Ore.

Telephone: 503/241-7179

Internet: bridgeportbrewing.com

Distribution: West

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.

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.

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.

The Boston Beer Co., Boston, Mass.

Telephone: 617/368-5000

Internet: samadams.com

Distribution: National

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…

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…

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...

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.