PROBIOTICS
NextFoods has introduced the newest product in their GoodBelly probiotic fruit drink line, designed to keep bellies healthy and immune systems strong. GoodBelly BigShot 50 is a new super charged dose of 50 billion live and active cultures and features the powerful probiotic strain Lactobacillus Plantarum 299v (Lp299v) which has 16 years of use and over 17 clinical studies to support its efficacy. One 2.7 oz. single serving “shot” is designed for occasional use during digestive flare-ups, pre- and post-antibiotic treatment or during periods of feeling particularly run down. All GoodBelly products are made with antioxidant-rich fruit juice and are dairy-free, wheat-free, and soy-free. GoodBelly BigShot 50 is available nation-wide at Whole Foods Markets and other leading natural product and drug stores. GoodBelly BigShot 50 is $7.99 for a package of four 2.7 ounce single servings. For more information, call (212) 488-1479.
ENERGY DRINKS
Full Throttle Energy Drink has introduced a new and improved full-flavored formula. Prominently displayed on the can’s back panel is Full Throttle’s new ‘No Choke Mixture’ promise: ‘full flavor you don’t have to force down, and reliable energy ingredients that help you get the job done. No mystery ingredients. No bull’. The mixture is a refined formula delivering 100 percent of daily value Niacin (Vitamin B3), 100mg D-Ribose, and 100mg Caffeine, per 8 oz. serving. Launching in November in 16 oz. cans, Full Throttle is available in 5 flavors: Citrus, Blue Agave, Red Berry, Mocha and Caramel, with a suggested retail price of $1.99. For more information, call the Coca-Cola Co. at (718) 746-0087.
Monster Energy has partnered with DUB Publishing and co-founder Myles Kovacs to develop the latest Monster Energy product, Monster Energy DUB Edition, and has launched the new beverage in the first 32-oz., resealable Jumbo Cap Can from Ball Corp. The Monster Energy DUB Edition can includes logos for both brands and pays homage to the automotive culture and the true urban lifestyle. It features a can end with a patented, eye-catching, lug-cap closure from Dayton Systems Group, Inc. For more information, call Monster Energy at (951) 739-6400.
RTD COFFEE
Cafe Bustelo recently launched Café Mocha, a chocolate-flavored extension to its iced cafe con leche Bustelo Cool line. Café Mocha is based off of the same delicious flavor as Café Bustelo’s popular ready-to drink iced beverage, Bustelo Cool, with a hint of mocha to give an enhanced chocolate flavor, a bit more bite and extra caffeine for the espresso lover in all of us. Café Mocha is currently available at more than 1,200 retailers throughout Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and more. For coffee consumers on the go, Café Mocha is a mix of coffee, chocolate, milk and ice, made with Bustelo espresso beans chilled in a ready-to-drink iced coffee beverage in an 8 oz. can that carries an MSRP of $1.50. For more information, call (646) 373-8634.
Chef Wolfgang Puck has launched a new line of ready-to-drink iced coffee beverages. Wolfgang Puck Culinary Iced Coffees are new bottled coffee drinks that are great-tasting, certified organic, kosher and only 120 calories per bottle. The coffees will be available in four handcrafted flavors: Vanilla Fusion, Double Blend Mocha, Crème Caramel and Café au Lait. Wolfgang Puck Culinary Iced Coffee will come in a signature-embossed, custom-glass bottle and will be available in single bottles (MSRP $2.39) and 4-packs (MSRP $7.99) in various fine food and convenience store retailers throughout Southern California and Las Vegas by the end of October, and nationwide by the end of the year in all-natural grocers such as Whole Foods Market. For more information, call (323) 651-1380.
New Orleans Brew Iced Coffee or N.O. Brew is America’s only all-natural, fresh, cold-dripped bottled iced coffee. N.O. Brew coffee is made with a proprietary blend of the finest Arabica Beans and just a kiss of chicory and it can be enjoyed hot or cold. It is offered in Traditional, French Vanilla, Storyville Mocha and Hazelnut flavors. Each 34.5 oz. bottle of N.O. Brew Iced coffee makes 13 coffee drinks for less than .50¢ each. New Orleans Brewed Ice Coffee is currently distributed by Tree of Life, and is available at most grocery stores in South Louisiana and Whole Foods Markets throughout the Southwest. The bottles retail at 34.5 oz. at $4.99 and 64 oz. at $9.99, respectively. For more information, call (504) 897-0462.
BEER
Crown Imports has launched a new Corona Extra and Corona Light 24 oz. can package aimed at the $3.2 billion single-serve segment of the beer business. The Corona Extra 24-ounce can rolled out in 26 markets in October, with the Light Can following. Primary channels of distribution for the new Corona Extra and Corona Light 24-ounce can packages are c-store, drug store, liquor and grocery. MSRP will be about $2.59. For more information, call Crown at (312) 873-9279.
Shipyard Brewing Company has released its popular Pugsley’s Signature Series collection in a four bottle sampler box. This sampler pack contains one each of the four 22 oz. Pugsley’s Signature Series beers: Smashed Pumpkin, XXXX IPA, Imperial Porter, and Barley Wine Style Ale. This sampler pack is currently available at fine retailers in New England and Florida with a suggested retail price of $24.99. Distribution of this special package will expand to other markets in 2010. For more information call Shipyard at (207) 761-0807.
CSDs
Portland-based HOTLIPS Soda, a hand-crafted natural fruit soda made from 100 percent fresh, ripe, locally-grown fruit using artisan methods of soda making, has announced its national retail launch. HOTLIPS Soda contains no artificial colors or sweeteners. One of the main ideas behind HOTLIPS Soda is that real fruit is used and that the pulp in not strained out completely.The sodas are available in more than 300 retail locations and restaurant locations in eight states. HOTLIPS Sodas sell for $10 a mixed 6-pack. Currently, there are six flavors available: blackberry, pear, black raspberry, raspberry, boysenberry and apple. For more information, please call HOTLIPS at (503) 224-2069.
CASCAL, a handcrafted all-natural soda designed in France, is being introduced and sold exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores across the US through the end of the year. A product of the Coca-Cola Co., Inc., CASCAL also will be available in fine restaurants and taverns in New York City. Cascal’s fresh, crisp taste is fashioned with imported European ingredients at a microbrewery in Florida, where it is pioneering a patented new “dual-stage slow malt fermentation” method with no added sugar. CASCAL is available in three flavors: Crisp White, with notes of pear, apricot and magnolia; Light Red, with notes of blackcurrant, cherry and mirabelle; and Fine Dry, with notes of cherry, apple and anise. It is packaged in recyclable 330 mL (11.15 oz.) glass bottles – available in singles (SRP $1.99) and 4-packs (SRP $6.49–$6.99). For more information, please call the Coca-Cola Co. at (404) 676-1070.
SPIRITS
Imperial Brands, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Belvedere S.A., has launched Sobieski Cytron and Sobieski Vanilia. Noted for its quality, affordability, Polish craftsmanship and authenticity, the two new flavors are an extension of their flagship Sobieski vodka brand, the #1 premium vodka in Poland. Sobieski Vanilia and Cytron are authentic Polish vodkas made from the finest Dankowski Rye with natural vanilla and citrus flavor. Sobieski Vanilia and Sobieski Cytron vodkas are available nationwide at the suggested retail price of $10.99 (750ml). For more information call Sobieski at (212) 251-1203.
AGWA de Bolivia, the world’s first coca leaf liqueur has recently been introduced to the U.S. It is currently available in 35 states. Drinking AGWA with lime replicates the South American practice of chewing the coca leaf. The lime changes the pH of the mouth allowing secondary coca leaf alkaloids to be activated and creates an oxygen buzz. AGWA de Bolivia is available in the U.S. in a 750mL size with a suggested retail price of $36-39. For more information, call AGWA de Bolivia at (949) 246-4427.
Created in San Francisco, the birthplace of the original martini, Devotion Spirits is set to unleash the first-ever 80-proof, four-column-distilled vodka with the benefits of protein made in the United States. Created and developed by company President Drew Adelman, a nightlife, dining aficionado and fitness buff, Devotion Vodka was inspired by his search to combine his two favorite passions: fitness and nightlife. In California, Devotion Vodka will be distributed by Young’s Market Company. International Spirits & Wines will be representing Devotion Vodka in New York and Connecticut. Fedway is distributing Devotion Vodka Infused with Casein in New Jersey. Devotion Vodka will be introduced in a 750 mL bottle at a suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information, call Devotion at (415) 956-3554.
ENERGY SHOTS
5-Hour Energy has rolled out a pomegranate line extension. Pomegranate joins 5-Hour Energy’s product line which includes berry, lemon-lime, orange and grape flavors, as well as Decaf and Extra Strength versions. 5-Hour Energy is a 2 oz. energy shot that provides hours of energy with no crash or jitters through a blend of B-vitamins and amino acids. Containing caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee, there’s zero sugar, zero carbohydrates, zero herbal stimulants and four calories in each 2 oz. shot. This product will be line priced with other 5-Hour Energy products. For more information, call 5-Hour at (616) 233-0500.
WINE
Wily Jack is a new, fruit driven wine from Diageo Chateau & Estate offering great value and a story chronicling the life and wisdom of “Wily Jack,” the fictitious character behind Wily Jack wines. Just launched by Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Wily Jack wines offers a 2008 Chardonnay, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2007 Zinfandel, each with a unique label featuring strong visuals displaying the striking image of Wily Jack. All varietals launched nationally with a suggested retail price of $8.00.
RTD TEA
ITO EN has launched TEAS’ TEA Naturally Sweet, an all-new, naturally flavored tea line intended to appeal to consumers looking to switch from sweetened to unsweetened tea. With only 8 grams of natural cane sugar and 40 calories per serving, ITO EN is available in three varieties: TEAS’ TEA Blueberry Green, TEAS’ TEA Citrus Black and TEAS’ TEA Mango Oolong. TEAS’ TEA Naturally Sweet retails from $1.25 to $1.49 and can be found at mass merchandise stores, grocery stores and specialty natural food retailers nationwide; including Whole Foods Market, Super Target, Bashas’ Supermarket, Wegman’s, and other local outlets. For more information, please visit www.ItoEn.com.
Million Beverage, LLC has introduced Million Premium Green Tea in the Charlotte, N.C. market. MILLION is a premium brewed green tea that delivers a potent blend of essential vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants without the sugar, carbohydrates, calories or sodium found in other teas. This product is offered in grape-pomegranate and orange-mango flavors packaged in striking 16 oz. black PET bottles with metallic labeling (MSRP of $1.89). Special launch events with Million will take place in the coming months in destinations including Miami, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and NYC. For more information, call (704) 895-9395.
Kuka Drink, Inc., a distributor and marketer of all-natural coca leaf beverages, announces its New York City launch and U.S. debut of Kuka, a rare premium beverage made from coca leaves grown in the Andes. With more than 5,000 years of history, the coca leaf has been cultivated for its medicinal and nutritional values. The key ingredient in this 100 percent natural beverage is hand-picked Andean coca leaves. Called by its original name, Kuka [Koo-ka] is a curiously complex all-natural non-carbonated coca leaf beverage straight from the heart of the Andes. Kuka has an exceptional taste; it’s delicious, soft and a bit sweet. In the coming months, Kuka will also be available in the greater New York Metro Area, Chicago, Southern California, and Miami. For more information, call (646) 330-5763.
CARPE DIEM is strengthening its line of Kombucha drinks with two new flavors: Cranberry and Quince. Quince is part of a family of rose plants from the Caucasus region with a taste similar to apple and pear. Quince is rich in vitamin C, potassium, sodium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, fluoride and organic acids. The new Cranberry flavor is rich in anti-oxidants to help fight against free radicals. Both new flavors smoothly overlay the traditional vinegar hints left by the Kombucha fermentation and give Carpe Diem a fruity but not too sweet flavor. These products will be line-priced with other Carpe Diem flavors. For more information, call Carpe Diem at (914) 777-1426. •