Pepsi-Cola North America extended its bottled water line with Aquafina Alive — a low-calorie, vitamin-enhanced water beverage. Available in three flavor combinations — Berry Pomegranate, Peach Mango and Orange Lime — Aquafina Alive contains a splash of fruit juice and is a good source of vitamins E, B6 and B12 and niacin, the company says. Every 8-ounce serving has 10 calories and provides 10 percent of the daily value of each of these nutrients. Aquafina Alive is available in 20-ounce plastic bottles for $1.29 and 16.9-ounce six-packs for $3.39.

Aquafina Alive

Pepsi-Cola North America, Purchase, N.Y.

Telephone: 914/253-2000

Internet: aquafina.com

Distribution: National

Ingredients:­ Orange Lime: Filtered water, white grape juice concentrate, natural flavors, phosphoric acid, sodium hexametaphosphate, citric acid, potassium citrate, aspartame, potassium benzoate and potassium sorbate, acesulfame potassium, calcium disodium EDTA, vitamin E acetate, niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride and cyanocobalamin.

Honest Tea expanded its line of ready-to-drink beverages with Pomegranate White Tea with Acai. Three antioxidant-rich ingredients — pomegranates, white tea and acai berry — are combined with less than three teaspoons of organic cane sugar to create a delicately flavored tea. With 35 calories per 8-ounce serving, Pomegranate White Tea with Acai is packaged in a 16.9-ounce PETE bottle.

Honest Tea Pomegranate White Tea with Acai

Honest Tea, Bethesda, Md. 

Telephone: 800/865-4736

Internet: honesttea.com

Distribution: National

Ingredients: Organic cane sugar, organic white tea, organic pomegranate juice concentrate, natural pomegranate flavor, organic berry flavor, natural vegetable juice (for color), organic acai and citric acid.

Cintron Beverage Group launched Cintron Energy Enhancer in four flavors — Citrus Mango, Tropical Azul, Pineapple Passion and Sugar Free Citrus Mango. Cintron Energy Enhancer uses sucrose to sweeten the drink, and a featured ingredient is glucoronolactone, which helps convert ingested sugar into energy for the body, the company says. The ingredient also helps to avoid the “crash” effect sometimes experienced when consuming energy drinks, it says. Cintron’s 16-ounce silver can, which features a resealable plastic top, and logo are designed to appeal to the Hispanic demographic. Citron retails for $1.99.

Cintron Energy Enhancer

Cintron Beverage Group, Philadelphia

Telephone: 267/298-2100

Internet: cintronenergygroup.com

Distribution: East Coast, Florida and Puerto Rico

Ingredients: Citrus Mango: Carbonated water, sucrose, glucose, citric acid, sodium citrate, taurine, glucoronolactone, natural and artificial flavors, caffeine, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate dcinamide, gum acacia, FD&C Yellow #6, ester gum, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride and cyanocobalamin.

Absolut Spirits Co. added Absolut Pears to its line of flavored vodkas. Described as having a fresh, delicate taste of mellow pears and a fruity aftertaste, Absolut Pears is made from all natural ingredients and contains no added sugars or sweeteners. A pear shape is incorporated into the bottle’s design with the use of subtle lines. In its ad campaign, Absolut is using a green snake wrapped around an Absolut Pears bottle. A pear shaped silhouette is visible on the snake.

Absolut Pears

Absolut Spirits Co., New York, N.Y.

Telephone: 212/641-8700

Internet: absolute.com

Distribution: National

Soda with fiber

Ardea Beverage, a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiAmericas, introduced Renew Nutrisoda, a soda with a full gram of dietary fiber and boosted with amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Renew’s formulation is designed to support active intestinal health and may help boost the body’s immune system, the company says. It also assists the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates and may balance blood glucose levels. Inside each 8.4-ounce serving are natural watermelon and blueberry flavors, natural colors and water filtered four times for extra purity. Renew contains no sugar, sodium, aspartame or caffeine. The drink retails for $1.99.

Ardea Beverage Co., Hopkins, Minn.

Telephone: 952/934-0096

Internet: nutrisoda.com

Distribution: National

Ingredients: Carbonated water, maltodextrin (soluble dietary fiber), l-glutamine, citric acid, natural flavor, l-arginine, magnesium sulfate, potassium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sucralose, acerola cherry extract, niacinamide, carrot and blueberry juice for color, D-calcium pantothenate, zinc lactate, pyridoxine HCL, sodium selenite, thiamin, D-biotin, chromium picolinate and cyanocobalamin.

Creative Juices launched Mixerz All-Natural Cocktail Mixers in Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Mango, Margarita, Mojito, Pomegranate and Sour Apple varieties. Available at retail and on-premise locations, Mixerz contain fruit juices and purees, pure cane sugar and no artificial ingredients. The cocktail mixers are available in 750-ml. glass bottles for $8.99 to $10.99.

Mixerz

Creative Juices, Danvers, Mass.

Telephone: 978/762-6497

Internet: mixerz.com

Distribution: National

Cooper Tea Co. released Bazza High-Energy Tea, a no-calorie tea with energy ingredients. Made with all natural energy ingredients — green tea, yerba mate, guarana and cola nut — the drink is marketed for people with an active lifestyle. The green tea drink also provides antioxidants (including EGCG), and is non-carbonated. Available in two flavors — Green Tea and Raspberry Tea — both of which are packaged in a 16.9-ounce resealable bottle and retail for $1.79.

Bazza High-Energy Tea

Cooper Tea Co., Louisville, Colo.

Telephone: 303/527-1700

Internet: bazzatea.com

Distribution: National

Ingredients: Filtered water, citric acid, green tea, natural flavors, natural spices, taurine, sucralose, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, acesulfame potassium, guarana, yerba mate, cola nut and vitamin B-12.

NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS BY CATEGORY
CATEGORY	SKUS YTD 1/31/07	SKUS YTD 1/31/06
Alcohol Beverages	29	19
Beverage Concentrates/Mixes	8	11
Carbonated Soft Drinks	3	16
Coffee	32	24
Energy Drinks	4	4
Fruit/Flavored Still Drinks	5	2
Juice & Nectars	13	12
Malt & Other Hot Beverages	11	20
Meal Replacements & Other Drinks	4	2
RTD Coffee & Tea	12	4
Sports Drinks	2	0
Tea	24	12
Water	18	11
Total	165	137
Source: Mintel Global New Products Database

Fuze Beverage Inc. released Rehab Recovery Supplement to help shed the effects of stress, increase energy levels and meet thirst/ hydration needs, it says. The recovery supplement contains 0.251 mg. of electrolytes to hydrate the body, 1.57 mg. of ginseng and caffeine and 135 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin B complex and vitamin C. Rehab also offers a combination of antioxidants, including CoQ10, green tea polyphenols and catechins. The new beverage, which has a cherry tangerine taste, is packaged in a 12-ounce can, and retails for $1.99.

Rehab Recovery Supplement

Fuze Beverage Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

Telephone: 201/227-0380

Internet: liquidrehab.com

Distribution: National

Ingredients: Carbonated water, fructose, sugar, citric acid, sodium citrate, natural flavor, calcium chloride, caffeine, elderberry extract concentrate, ascorbic acid, potassium chloride, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, green tea extract 90 percent polyphenols, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, panax ginseng root extract, pyridoxine hydrochloride, guarana seed extract, coenzyme Q10 and cyanocobalamin.

Soccorro of Brazil created Cuca Fresca Cachaca Pure Gold and Premium Brazilian Rum, which are imported by Carpathian Imports LLC, Hanover, Md. Cuca Fresca is double distilled in copper pots and is made from sugarcane that has been harvested from a single source. Each bottle is filled with cachaca from a single batch that has been double filtered. Cuca Fresca is bottled in a 750-ml. glass bottle, topped with a traditional wooden cork and accompanied by a collectible hand-painted wooden stirrer in four tropical bird styles. Cuca Fresca Premium Brazilian Rum retails for $19.95 and the Cuca Fresca Pure Gold for $24.95.

Cuca Fresca Cachaca

Soccorro, New York, N.Y.

Telephone: 914/646-0749

Internet: cucafrescaspirit.com

Distribution: Florida and Northeast

Market Connections Group through USA Nanfang Food Industry Inc. added Amy & Brian Coconut Juice with Lime to its line of coconut juices. Amy & Brian All Natural Coconut Juice is the water from young coconuts, and contains one of the most concentrated sources of electrolytes, the company says. An all-natural isotonic beverage, the drink has more potassium than a banana. When consumed before or after exercise, the drink helps combat dehydration and fatigue, the company says. The drinks are a product of Thailand, and are available in 17.5 ounce cans for $1.79.

Amy & Brian Coconut Juice with Lime

Market Connections Group, Monrovia, Calif.

Telephone: 626/574-1600

Internet: marketconnectionsgroup.com

Distribution: National

Ingredients: Coconut Juice with Lime: Young coconut juice and lime juice.

Mystique Brands developed Metropolitan Martinis, a line of premium ready-to-drink cocktails that come complete with the martini glass. Made with all natural ingredients and imported vodka, Metropolitan Martinis come in four flavors — Cosmopolitan, Green Apple, Decadent Chocolate (all 40 proof) and Class Vodka Martini (60 proof). The line is available in two packages: a cylinder with two pre-mixed 200-ml. martinis in acrylic martini glasses that are sold by flavor and retail between $11.99-$13.99; and in a tray of 12 ready-to-drink martinis for caterers that carry a retail price $6.99 per cocktail.

Metropolitan Martini

Mystique Brands LLC, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Telephone: 718/228-8519

Internet: mystiquebrands.com

Distribution: Select markets

Fever Beverage added Fever Low Calorie, a low-calorie version of its sexual stimulation beverage. Infused with all-natural ingredients, including green tea, caffeine, horny goat weed and panax ginseng, Fever enhances sexual stimulation for both men and women, the company says. Created for health-conscious consumers, Fever Low Calorie is naturally flavored and contains only 20 calories per 14-ounce serving. The ginger and vanilla flavored beverage comes in a 12-ounce aluminum bottle, and a 12-pack retails for $35.00.

Fever Low Calorie

Fever Beverage USA, Philadelphia

Telephone: 877/548-4856

Internet: feverusa.com

Distribution: Select markets

Ingredients: Filtered water, citric acid, maca, horny goat weed, catuba, clavo huasca, damiana, panax ginseng, suma, guarana, surcralose, natural flavor and caffeine from green tea.

CCW Holdings Inc. extended Sanfaustino Natural Calcium Water with a line of flavored waters called Sanfaustino, The Calcium Water. Available in Original, Lemon, Mandarin Orange, Lime and Raspberry Lime, all-natural Sanfaustino comes from a mountain spring in Umbria, Italy, and is considered a good source of calcium by FDA standards. Unlike the original glass-packaged water, the new line is packed in PET in half-liter bottles for $1.06 and liter-bottles for $1.99, and both are available in four-packs.

Sanfaustino, The Calcium Water

CCW Holdings Inc., Fairfield, N.J.

Telephone: 866/537-7349

Internet: sanfaustino.com

Distribution: New York

Ingredients: Natural sparkling mineral water and natural flavors.

Brands of Britain is importing Fever-Tree, a line of premium all-natural mixers from the United Kingdom. Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water, Ginger Ale, Club Soda and Bitter Lemon retail for $5 for a four-pack of 200-ml. bottles. The artisanally crafted line is produced in single-serve size to ensure freshness and fizz each time the bottle is opened and mixed with spirits, the company says. High carbonation aids in delivering subtle botanical aromas, and the line contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

Fever-Tree

Brands of Britain LLC, San Ramon, Calif.

Telephone: 925/362-9050

Internet: fever-tree.com

Distribution: National

BooKoo Beverages created a high-juice energy drink called BooKoo Jugo. The drink contains 99 percent juice and is filled with antioxidant-rich fruits such as papaya, white grape, orange, guava and passion fruit. With a light, crisp, exotic taste, Jugo is position to appeal to morning and evening energy drink consumers and general market and Hispanic consumers. A 16.9-ounce can retails between $1.99 and $2.19.

BooKoo Jugo

BooKoo Beverages Inc., Dallas

Telephone: 866/ 568-3322

Internet: bookooenergy.com

Distribution: National

Ingredients: Carbonated water, juice blend (white grape, passion fruit, orange, guava and papaya juice concentrate), citric acid, caffeine, glucuronolactone, inositol and natural flavor.

Revolution Tea made tea mobile with its new T-Mini. Specifically designed to fit in a purse or glove compartment, each tin comes with six flow-through infuser tea bags. The line includes Earl Grey Lavender, Tropical Green, Organic Green, Sweet Ginger Peach, English Breakfast and White Pear. The T-Minis retail for $4.99.

Revolution T-Mini

Revolution Tea LLC, Phoenix

Telephone: 602/393-3737

Internet: revolutiontea.com

Distribution: National

Ingredients: Sweet Ginger Peach Tea: Ceylon and Assam teas, ginger root and peach flavor.

Boston Beer Co. filed a certificate of label approval application with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for Twisted Tea Light. Boston Beer already has four varieties of the malt beverages on the market: Original, Raspberry, Peach, and Half Hard Iced Tea and Half Hard Lemonade…

United States Beverage LLC, Stamford, Conn., expanded its Black Dog label with Black Dog American Pale Ale…

Paterno Wines International, Lake Bluff, Ill., entered into an exclusive, long-term marketing agreement with wine producers Jean Engelbrecht and Ernie Els, adding five premium South African brands to Paterno's portfolio: Rust en Vrede, Ernie Els Wines, Engelbrecht Els Vineyards, Cirrus and Guardian Peak…

Stirrings, Fall River, Mass., expanded its Cocktail Mixer and Rimmer brand cocktail garnish lines with the launch of two flavors — Passion Fruit Mojito and Grapefruit Margarita…

Rumored to be in development ... Bacardi USA, Miami, filed a certificate of label approval application with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for Bacardi Peach Red. In addition, Diageo, Stamford, Conn., filed for label approval for Smirnoff Ice Pomegranate Fusion…

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, Wash., exclusive U.S. importer of Haras de Pirque wines, introduced the Chilean winery's portfolio to all U.S. markets. The product range includes the flagship Albis, a Bordeaux-style blend produced jointly with Marchese Piero Antinori of Tuscany; the Elegance Cabernet Sauvignon, produced from selected blocks; and the Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon…

Alternative beverages

Xyience Inc., Las Vegas, debuted Xenergy, a sugar-free ultra-premium energy drink that contains zero calories and is vitamin fortified. Xenergy retails for $2.79 for the 16-ounce size and $2.19 for the 8.4-ounce size, and is available in western, mid-western and southeastern states…

Switch Beverage Co., Stamford, Conn., added a new 8.3-ounce slim can as packaging for The Switch, a carbonated, 100 percent juice beverage…

Tea and coffee

Ito En, New York, N.Y., has entered into a partnership with Andrew Weil, a pioneer in integrative medicine, to develop a line of green tea beverages…