Sports Drinks

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Last year offered the sports and protein drinks category a big marketing opportunity through the London 2012 Summer Olympics, says Jennifer Zegler, beverage analyst at Chicago-based market research firm Mintel.

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, plans to host events for fans of all ages in the company’s hometown during the 2013 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Final Four weekend, which also is taking place in Atlanta. Coke Zero, the official fan refreshment of the NCAA, and Powerade, the official sports drink of the NCAA, will be the dominant players in the company’s celebrations, it says.

Cytosport, the Benicia, Calif.-based parent company of Muscle Milk and Muscle Milk Light, launched Muscle Milk Light Peach Mango in 14-ounce ready-to-drink bottles. Peach Mango is the first Muscle Milk Light beverage option to be naturally flavored and sweetened with stevia, monk fruit and cane sugar, the company says.

 Chicago-based Fair Oaks Farm Brands Chief Executive Officer Steve Jones knows the importance protein plays in a balanced diet. 

During Super Bowl XLVII, Kraft Foods Group Inc. unveiled its new Mio Fit liquid water enhancer, which enables consumers to turn water into a zero-calorie sports drink.

 Sports and protein drinks are transitioning from being separate categories into one overall sports performance market, experts say.  

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, announced that Powerade, the official sports drink of the London 2012 Olympic Games, is offering athletes from around the world the opportunity to train with professional athletes and coaches at the Powerade Sports Academy during the Olympics.

It’s one of the largest independent bottlers in California, but Nor-Cal Beverage Co. Inc., Sacramento, Calif., is more than just a contract packager. In addition to its successful co-packing business, which operates production facilities in Sacramento and Anaheim, Nor-Cal also is an Anheuser-Busch distributor in Northern California and markets its own Go Girl line of energy drinks. The family-owned company was started by Roy G. Deary in 1937 as a franchise of Hires Bottling Co., explains Deary’s granddaughter and current president and chief executive officer of Nor-Cal Beverage, Shannon Deary-Bell. The franchise bottled and distributed Canada Dry, Dr Pepper and RC Cola brands in the Sacramento area.