Alternative Drinks

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The WhiteWave Foods Co., Broomfield, Colo., announced that it has agreed to acquire So Delicious Dairy Free, Eugene, Ore., from its existing shareholders, led by Wasserstein & Co., for approximately $195 million in cash.

Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., Canton, Mass., introduced almond milk to the menu in some of its Dunkin’ Donuts stores. Through a new partnership with Blue Diamond Growers, Sacramento, Calif., select Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide now will offer Vanilla Almond Breeze Almondmilk as an addition to hot or iced coffees and lattes. Consumers can use the store locator at www.dunkindonuts.com and search for a special “AM” symbol to determine if their local stores offer the dairy alternative, the company says.

San Francisco-based DripDrop Inc., the maker of a same-named medical-grade
rehydration solution, announced that it has closed a $5.8 million round of financing, which will help the company to accelerate development and continue to drive availability in retailers and hospitals, the company says. Investors include funds affiliated with owners of the San Francisco 49ers, Seth Taube and Brook Taube of Medley Corp., and American rock musicians Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, and Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir.
 

Lifeway Foods Inc., Morton Grove, Ill., announced results for the second quarter, which ended June 30. Total consolidated net sales increased 28 percent to $29.6 million during the three-month period from $23.1 million during the same three-month period in 2013. This increase is primarily attributable to increased sales and awareness of the company’s flagship Kefir line as well as its ProBugs Organic Kefir for kids and BioKefir lines.

Within the beverage industry, one trend exists that generally spans every category: health and wellness.

Following the launch of its ArKay alcohol-free whiskey in 2011, ArKay Distributing Inc. recently added 15 new alcohol-free liquor-flavored beverages to the platform.

Boca Raton, Fla.-based Celsius Holdings Inc. announced an endorsement agreement with racecar driver Emerson Fittipaldi. The two-time Formula One World Champion and two-time Indy 500 Race winner will serve as brand ambassador for Celsius’ same-named negative-calorie beverages in Brazil in support of the brand’s continued global expansion.

Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, chia seeds were most commonly associated with the novelty plant-growing kits Chia Pets. Now, beverage-makers are harvesting the hydrating and nutritional benefits of chia seeds and blending them into juice and juice drinks, soft drinks, and drink concentrates and mixes, according to Natalie Tremellen, market analyst at Innova Market Insights, the Netherlands.

Mamma Chia launched a new line of organic beverages that combine the nutrients of chia seeds with natural energy from guayusa and fruit juices.

Although the term mixologist is commonly referenced in association with alcohol products, innovations within the drink mix category are allowing consumers to become mixologists in the non-alcohol arena.