Pepsi-Cola North America announced plans to launch Diet Pepsi MAX, a zero-calorie cola with extra caffeine and a touch of ginseng. This formulation is specially designed for for 25- to 34- year-old diet drinkers, as well as “transitioners” — those making the switch from regular colas to diets — to help get them through the day. Diet Pepsi MAX is sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium. Available in 20-ounce bottles, two-liter bottles and 12-packs of 12-ounce cans, Diet Pepsi MAX hits stores nationwide in June.  
Diet Pepsi MAX
Pepsi-Cola North America, Purchase, N.Y.
Telephone: 914/253-2000
Internet: www.pepsi.com
Distribution: National

Iberla’s 101 is a sparkling wine cocktail that is available in both Red and White varieties. 101 aims to offer a classy menu addition to traditional bottled drinks, and creates a new niche between bottled drinks and wine. The beverage also is infused with guarana to provide an energy boost, and is 6.8 percent alcohol by volume. A bottle retails from $3 to $6.
101
Iberla LLC, Boca Raton, Fla.
Telephone: 561/865-9392
Internet:www. iberla.com
Distribution: Select markets
Ingredients: Red wine, carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, guarana extract and natural flavor.

Carpe Diem USA Inc. entered into a strategic partnership with AMI Brands LLC to distribute the Carpe Diem line of natural functional beverages and waters. Created by the founder of Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, Carpe Diem’s well being drinks — Kombucha, Kefir and Ginkgo — are a blend of 25 botanical ingredients, are 100 percent natural and contain spring water that is lightly carbonated. Also new is Carpe Diem Botanic Water in Relaxing, Vitalizing and Harmonizing varieties that combine 26 botanical ingredients, the sweetness of fruit and spring water. Ginkgo, Kombucha and Kefir all retail for $1.99 and the Botanic Waters retail for $1.69 - $1.99.
Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem USA Inc., Santa Monica, Calif.
Telephone: 310-593-2080
Internet: www.carpediem.com
Distribution: Select markets
Ingredients: Kefir: Lightly carbonated water, hibiscus bloom extract, fruit tea (apple, elderberry, orange peels rose hips and sloe), elderberry juice, apple juice, fructose and citric acid.

ABF Beverages introduced Herbal Mist Yerba Mate Tea. The tea is sweetened with cane sugar, and is infused with vitamin, mineral and antioxidant-rich herbs that provide energy. Herbal Mist is available in six flavors — Black, Lemon, Raspberry, Green, White and Peach — in 16-ounce glass bottles depicting South American-inspired nature scenes. Herbal Mist retails for $1.69.
Herbal Mist Yerba Mate Tea
ABF Beverages LLC, Cedarhurst, N.Y.
Telephone: 516/596-8704
Internet: www.drinkherbal.com
Distribution: Select markets
Ingredients: Green Tea: Water, cane sugar, tea, ascorbic acid, natural flavors, citric acid, panax ginseng and yerba mate.

Waterchef USA debuted a line of all-natural ready-to-drink aloe vera drinks. Each 20-ounce bottle contains a high percentage of organic aloe vera and pulp, with natural anti-microbials, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and amino acids. PurAloe is available in Aloe Vera, Cranberry, Passion Fruit and Pomegranate flavors and in an Aloe Vera sugar-free version made with Splenda. Flavored varieties contain 120 calories per serving, Aloe Vera flavor contains 110 calories per serving and sugar free Aloe Vera flavor has 25 calories per serving. PurAloe retails for $2.99
PurAloe
Waterchef USA, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Telephone: 212/796-6500
Internet: www.puraloevera.com
Distribution: National
Ingredients: Water, organic aloe vera, fructose, maltodextrin, calcium lactate, natural flavors, citric acid, sodium citrate, gellan gum and ascorbic acid.

Alaskan Brewing Co. brewed Alaskan IPA for its 21st birthday, which is the company’s first launch since the release of Alaskan Summer Ale in 2002. Alaskan IPA offers a fruity, citrus aroma, with a medium body and a clean hop finish. Alaskan IPA will be available in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
Alaskan IPA
Alaskan Brewing Co., Juneau, Alaska
Telephone: 907/780-5866
Internet: www.alaskanbeer.com
Distribution: Select markets

Cadbury Schweppes Americas complemented its White and Green Tea lines with Snapple Red Teas, a line of naturally caffeine-free teas that contain antioxidants and vitamin C. Made from the Rooibos plant found only in South Africa, Rooibos is an herbal tea that is sweeter and fruitier than black or green tea. Rooibos, which is Afrikaans for red bush, develops its signature red color during the fermentation process, when the leaves of the plant oxidize. Snapple Red Teas are available in Acai Mixed Berry, Peach Pomegranate and Mandarin Tangerine. A 17.5-ounce bottle retails for $1.39.
Snapple Red Teas
Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages, Rye Brook, N.Y.
Telephone: 914/612-4500
Internet: www.snapple.com
Distribution: National

NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS BY CATEGORY
CATEGORY	SKUS YTD 2/28/07	SKUS YTD 2/28/06
Alcohol Beverages	39	38
Beverage Concentrates/Mixes	41	23
Carbonated Soft Drinks	10	21
Coffee	39	33
Energy Drinks	19	11
Fruit/Flavored Still Drinks	12	14
Juice & Nectars	35	35
Malt & Other Hot Beverages	15	28
Meal Replacements & Other Drinks	7	3
RTD Coffee & Tea	17	9
Sports Drinks	4	1
Tea	48	20
Water	28	14
Total BEVERAGES	314	250
Source: Mintel Global New Products Database

The Hershey Co. released Cacao Reserve by Hershey’s, a new premium line of all-natural chocolates and drinking cocoa. Cacao Reserve by Hershey’s Drinking Cocoa is available in two blends, Classic Mayan and Mildly Spiced Aztec. The drink mixes contain real milk chocolate and natural cocoa, providing flavanol antioxidants. Cacao Reserve by Hershey’s Drinking Cocoa comes in a five-count box priced at $2.29.
Cacao Reserve by Hershey’s Drinking Cocoa
The Hershey Co., Hershey, Pa.
Telephone: 800/468-1714
Internet: www.cacaoreserve.com
Distribution: National
Ingredients: Mayan: Sugar, nonfat milk, cocoa, milk chocolate (sugar, milk, chocolate, cocoa butter, lactose, milk fat, soy lecithin, PGPR, and vanillin), whey (milk), contains 2 percent or less of: cocoa processed with alkali, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (soybean and coconut oil), carrageenan, guar gum, salt, vanillin, and sodium caseinate (milk).

Pernod Ricard USA expanded Seagram’s Gin and Juice with a Tropical Thunder variety. Tropical Thunder’s mango taste and vibrant orange color offers consumers a new premixed cocktail in 750-ml., 375-ml., 200-ml. and 50-ml. bottles.
Seagram’s Gin & Juice Tropical Thunder
Pernod Ricard USA, Purchase, N.Y.
Telephone: 914/539-4500
Internet: www.pernod-ricard-usa.com
Distribution: National

Bacardi USA added Grey Goose La Poire Flavored Vodka to the Grey Goose lineup. A premium pear-flavored vodka, this is the first new flavored vodka launch from Grey Goose since La Vanille in 2003. The natural sweetness and mellow flavor of Anjou pears are blended with Grey Goose Vodka to create the new flavor. The 80-proof spirit is packaged in frosted glass 750-ml. and 1-liter bottles with a clear window in the shape of a goose silhouette that reveals ripening pears and an arrangement of pear blossoms.
Grey Goose La Poire Vodka
Bacardi USA, Miami
Telephone: 305/573-8511
Internet: www.greygoose.com
Distribution: National

Beam Global Spirits & Wine added DeKuyper Pomegranate liqueur. The flavored spirit combines all-natural ingredients with the taste of pomegranate and a hint of tartness. The 30-proof product is available in 1-liter bottles for $10.99.
DeKuyper Pomegranate
Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Deerfield, Ill.
Telephone: 847/948-8888
Internet: www.dekuyperusa.com
Distribution: National

Zola Acaí augmented its acaí line with Zola Acaí + Pineapple and Acaí + Blueberry. Zola Acaí is made from 100 percent unfiltered pulp of antioxidant-rich acaí berries and infused with energy-sustaining guarana powder. The Acaí + Pineapple and Acaí + Blueberry flavors join Zola’s newly renamed Acaí Original. The drinks are available in 11-ounce singles ($2.49) and in 12-pack cases ($27.99) for bulk purchases in updated packaging. Zola Acaí Power Juice is shelf stable for 12 months.
Zola Acaí + Pineapple and Acaí + Blueberry
Zola Acaí, San Francisco
Telephone: 415/755-6355
Internet: www.zolaacai.com

Ingredients: Acaí + Pineapple: Organic acaí pulp, organic evaporated cane juice, organic pineapple juice concentrate, whole natural guarana, citric acid, soy lecithin and natural flavors.

Power Trip Beverages added a new flavor Power Trip Mango and updated its graphics for Power Trip Extreme. Power Trip Mango and Extreme contain caffeine, taurine, guarana and vitamins C, B6 and B12. The company also plans to release Power Trip Extreme Bag in the Box.
Power Trip Mango and Extreme
Power Trip Beverages, Davie, Fla.
Telephone: 954/862-1445
Internet: www.powertripbev.com
Distribution: National

Snow Beverages added three natural flavors to its original Snow Sparkling Beverage. The new flavors include White Out Peach, Cranberry-Lime Chill and Icy Green Tea Light, and combine a natural flavor of fruit or green tea with a blend of mint extracts and light carbonation. Snow has no caffeine or preservatives, and retails for $1.79.
White Out Peach, Cranberry-Lime Chill and Icy Green Tea Light Snow Sparkling Beverage
Snow Beverages, New York, N.Y.
Telephone: 212/353-3270
Internet: www.snowbeverages.com
Distribution: Select markets
Ingredients: Cranberry-Lime Chill: Carbonated water, cane sugar, cranberry, key-lime, peppermint and other natural flavors, citric acid, malic acid, and fruit and vegetable juice for color.

The Republic of Tea and Luna collaborated to create an organic bottled Nutritional Iced Tea for Women. The tea is brewed from organic tea, has 50 calories per 12-ounce bottle, is made with 70 percent organic ingredients and is all natural. The teas include many of the nutrients women need everyday for overall health and wellness including folate, calcium and vitamin D. Nutritional Iced Teas for Women include organic black, green, white, red and decaf black teas, blended with vitamins, minerals and organic evaporated cane juice. The five ready-to-drink flavors — Ginger Currant Black Tea, Lemon Blueberry Decaf Black Tea, Kiwi Strawberry Green Tea, Mandarin Orange White Tea and naturally caffeine-free Cherry Vanilla Red Tea — retail for $2.99.
The Republic of Tea and Luna Nutritional Iced Tea for Women
The Republic of Tea, Novato, Calif.
Telephone: 800/354-5530
Internet: www.republicoftea.com
Distribution: National
Ingredients: Kiwi Strawberry Green Tea: Filtered water, organic evaporated cane juice, organic green tea, calcium gluconate, natural flavors, citric acid, hibiscus, cholecalciferol and folic acid.

Ocean Spray released Ocean Spray Grower’s Reserve, an all-natural line of super-premium refrigerated juices to be distributed in the produce section. The line comprises six flavors, including no-added sugar varieties, in 15.2-ounce plastic bottles. Simply Squeezed Cranberry, Carrot Mango & Cranberry, Blueberry Pomegranate & Cranberry, White Tea with White Cranberry, Lemonade with White Cranberry and a protein smoothie called Strawberry Banana Cranberry will be available throughout the Northeast beginning this month, and are the first in a series of products Ocean Spray will be introducing in the produce department under the Grower’s Reserve label.
Ocean Spray Grower’s Reserve
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., Lakeville-Middleboro, Mass.
Telephone: 508/923-3710
Internet: www.oceanspray.com
Distribution: Northeast
Ingredients: Carrot Mango and Cranberry: Mango juice, clarified apple juice, clarified pear juice, carrot juice, cranberry puree, banana puree, cranberry juice (filtered water, juice concentrates), dextrin (soluble fiber), vegetable juice blend [carrot, celery, beet, parsley, lettuce, spinach, watercress (filtered water, vegetable concentrates)] and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).  

New Sun Nutrition repackaged and reformulated its Free Radical Scavenging (FRS) antioxidant health beverage. FRS cans are available in all-natural and low-calorie versions. The low calorie line — Wild Berry, Orange and new Peach Mango — has 25 calories per can. The all-natural flavors — Orange and Lemon Lime — are sweetened with organic evaporated cane juices and contain no-added preservatives or coloring. The FRS line includes antioxidant and vitamins along with metabolic enhancers to provide a sustained energy and antioxidant health protection, the company says. An 11-ounce can retails for $2.29.
FRS
New Sun Nutrition, Carpinteria, Calif.
Telephone: 805/684-5950
Internet: www.frsenergy.com
Distribution: Select markets
Ingredients: Peach Mango: Water, mango puree, inulin, white grape juice concentrate, quercetine, natural peach flavor, ascorbic acid, gum arabic, locust beam gum, natural mango citrus flavor, citric acid, green tea extract, alpha tocopheryl acetate, sucralose, caffeine, niacinarride, natural lemon flavor, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamin hydrochloride, riboflavin and cyanocobalamin.

Red Toe Soda LLC developed a carbonated soft drink for school foodservice. Red Toe Soda in Orange, Lemon-Lime and Cherry, received an Exemption from the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Competitive Food Regulation and may be sold inside school cafeterias. Made with fruit juice, the nine-calorie drinks contain no added sugar, caffeine, preservatives or sodium, and are fortified with calcium, potassium and 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. The suggested retail price for a 16-ounce can is $1.50.
Red Toe Soda
Red Toe Soda LLC, Atlanta
Telephone: 866/407-6327
Distribution: Select markets
Ingredients: Cherry: Carbonated water, orange juice concentrate, natural flavors, citric acid, ascorbic acid, potassium chloride, sucralose, Red No. 40, ester gum, acesulfame potassium, calcium citrate and magnesium citrate.

Odwalla Inc. added H2Odwalla, a new enhanced water beverage line containing natural fruit flavors. Made with 78 percent organic ingredients for nourishing refreshment, H2Odwalla is sweetened with natural organic evaporated cane juice, and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives. H2Odwalla is available in five flavors: Replenishment to Thrive (Strawberry Kiwi), Replenishment to Defend (Blueberry Tea), Replenishment to Energize (Ginger Plum), Replenishment to Relax (Jasmine Lime) and Replenishment with Calcium (Tropical Orange). The drinks are packaged in 20-ounce bottles, and retail for $1.49.
H2Odwalla
Odwalla Inc., Half Moon Bay, Calif.
Telephone: 800/639-2552
Internet: www.odwalla.com
Distribution: National
Ingredients: Ginger Plum: Filtered water, organic evaporated cane juice, less than 2 percent of: natural flavors, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, citric acid, fruit and vegetable juices (for color).

A Brand New Brands Co. created Dreamerz, a functional sleep aid designed to be consumed as a dessert drink. Dreamerz is a creamy milk-based beverage that can be consumed hot or cold in three flavors: Chocolate S’nores (milk chocolate), Vanilla Van Winkle (French vanilla) and Crème de la REM (dark chocolate mint). The active ingredient to promote sleep is 0.3 mg. of melatonin, and Lactium, a hydrolyzed milk casein, is included to reduce stress and promote relaxation, the company says. Full 8-ounce portions of Dreamz are encouraged only at bedtime, and the beverage is not habit-forming and has no side effects, the company says. The drink contains 100 calories per serving, is all natural, low in fat and a good source of calcium, it adds. Dreamz is packaged in single-serve Tetra Paks for $2.59 and in a 32-ounce size for $7.49.
Dreamerz
A Brand New Brands Co., San Francisco
Telephone: 415/486-2106
Internet: www.dreamerzfoods.com
Distribution: West Coast
Ingredients: Chocolate S’nores: Reduced fat milk, water, erythritol, crystallized cane juice, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), nonfat dry milk, natural flavors, cocoa powder, gellan gum, xanthan and guar gums, salt, soy lecithin (an emulsifier) and dipotassium phosphate.

Biotest Laboratories released Spike Shooter, a lightly carbonated energy drink. Offering a cherry flavor, Spike Shooter provides 350-mg. of caffeine along with vitamin B12 and additional energy boosters, the company says. The dietary supplement contains no calories, carbs, fat or cholesterol, and is packaged in an 8.4-ounce can.
Spike Shooter Energy Drink
Biotest Laboratories, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Telephone: 800/525-1940
Internet: www.getspike.com
Distribution: Colorado and California
Ingredients: Carbonated water, citric acid, caffeine anhydrous, sodium citrate, natural and artificial flavors, sucralose, sodium benzoate, FD&C Red No. 40, caramel color and FD&C Blue No. 1.

Tea and coffee
Guayakí, Sebastopol, Calif., released Traditional Yerba Mate Tea Bags in a gold box that contains 25 wrapped bags of Guayaki’s premium organic yerba mate. The naturally caffeinated beverage, which the company says boosts physical energy and stimulates mental clarity, retails for $6.95…

Spava Coffee, Houston, released a fortified, all-organic line of gourmet coffee designed to improve physical and mental health. Roasted Arabica beans are combined with a variety of all-natural health supplements, from gingko biloba to echinachea. The line includes five wellness varieties — Clarity, Flexibility, Immunity, Metabolism and Calm — and retails for $11.99…

7-Eleven Inc., Dallas, introduced Fusion Energy, a blend of 7-Eleven Exclusive Blend coffee with guarana, ginseng and yerba mate, to select stores…

Alternative beverages
Sweet Leaf Tea, Austin, Texas, released a new Lemonade Stand line of lemonades. The line uses organic lemon and lime juice to create Organic Cherry Limeade, Organic Original Lemonade and Organic Peach Lemonade. All three flavors are packaged in a keepsake Mason jar…

Frozen Drink Concepts Inc., Bessemer, Ala., released Al’s Famous Frozen Sweet Tea, Al’s Coffee House Frozen Cappuccino and Al’s Blast Off Energy Slush frozen drinks. The Energy Slush has energy ingredients garauna, taurine and caffeine, and Sweet Tea is available in Regular, Raspberry and Peach varieties…

Oregon Chai, Waukesha, Wis., renamed its Kashmir Green Tea concentrate, and is now offering Matcha Green Tea Chai Tea Latte…

Wine and spirits
Jose Cuervo International, New York, N.Y., released the 2007 edition of Reserva de la Familia, which marks the 12th edition of Reserva, an añejo tequila made from hand-selected 100 percent pure blue agave grown in the Cuervo estate’s volcanic soil…

Beer
Anheuser-Busch filed a certificate of label approval application with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for three Michelob Ultra line extensions: Lime Cactus, Tuscan Orange Grapefruit and Pomegranate Raspberry. Additionally, it has been reported that A-B filed for label approval of a black tea- and green tea-flavored beer called Evolve…

Miller Brewing Co. is rolling out Miller Chill in the test markets of Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and San Diego this month. Miller’s take on a classic Mexican beer recipe, Miller Chill is a premium light beer brewed with a hint of lime and salt...

Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, Colo., released India Pale Ale, with aromatic hops used to create a bitter profile…