This Memorial Day past weekend, consumers kicked off the unofficial start of summer with a more diverse selection of food and beverage options. Although beer and hot dogs remain staple menu options for the summer, emerging options likely are to join them on the menu, according to New York-based Nielsen’s recent Insights titled “This Memorial Day, American Will Substitute Summer CPG Staples for Alternatives.”

New Zealand wine brand Brancott Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand, has partnered with emerging UK designer Benjamin Craven to design four limited-edition labels for its Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018.

GT's Living Foods, Los Angeles, launched ALIVE, a line of adaptogenic teas inspired by Ayurvedic medicine. An infusion of three adaptogenic mushrooms, reishi, chaga and Turkey tail, is combined with select varieties of teas and a touch of raw apple cider vinegar. The result is a light, refreshing beverage that helps support the body's ability to fight stress and balance natural energy, the company says.

Whether it is tobacco, packaged foods, consumer health, beverages, or beauty and personal care, many market analysts recognize that cannabis is poised to disrupt these consumer markets as the flowering plant makes inroads in legalization and mainstream acceptance.

As consumers avidly are awaiting the summer season, their thirst for premium bottled water remains high. In the Readers’ Choice: New Product poll for April, Beverage Industry readers’ selected Poland Spring ORIGIN bottled water as their favorite new product release.

Newton, Mass.-based Spindrift Sparkling Water and brand ambassador and actress Kristen Bell launched a new summer campaign to accelerate the brand’s awareness and further distinguish itself from competition as the first sparkling water made with real-squeezed fruit, the company says.

Maxwell House, a brand of Pittsburgh- and Chicago-based Kraft Heinz Co., joined forces with the USO to help keep America’s service members connected to their family, home and country.

PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., announced the launch of PepsiCo Foodservice Digital Lab, a first-of-its-kind suite of capabilities built to connect foodservice operators with the companies, services, insights, and solutions best-suited for their specific digital and online needs. Digital Label is powered by extensive proprietary and syndicated research into restaurant and food ordering interactions as part of the consumer digital journey, the company says.

Atlanta-based Post Meridiem aims to disrupt the ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail market with a bar-quality experience.

JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles, Calif., commemorates the 30th anniversary of JUSTIN Cabernet Sauvignon with the nationwide release of its new 2017 vintage. The vintage wine showcases the distinct character of Paso Robles and is sealed with a "30th year" anniversary capsule in celebration of the release, the company says.