In the sea of beverages on the retail shelves, consumers definitely have no shortage of options from which to choose. When you take into account the number of new SKUs out there, it can get even more intriguing. According to Chicago-based Mintel’s Global New Products Database, 3,459 new beverages have been launched in the first 10 months of 2014. As beverage-makers continue to churn out these new products, some brand owners are taking a cue from popular industry trends to offer consumers something that stands out within their respective categories.
The editors of Beverage Industry analyzed the new beverage market launches of 2014 and determined five brands that they think are energizing the U.S. drink market and its consumers. To highlight those brands, the team has named them Beverage Industry’s 2014 Innovations of the Year.