Future Flavors

What’s next for brand Coke? Coffee, energy and beyond

What’s next for brand Coke?

By Rachel Arthur

Coca-Cola Coffee and Coca-Cola Energy could spearhead the evolution of brand Coca-Cola, as beverage categories continue to blur and Coca-Cola looks to maintain momentum for its flagship brand.

By January 2019 more than 100 million Waterloo cans were sold in the US, since launching in August 2017.

Waterloo launches new flavors, leverages ‘classic’ packaging

By Beth Newhart

Waterloo Sparkling Water debuted an expanded portfolio at Natural Products Expo West last month, launching Strawberry and Grape flavors. It’s the latest in the increasingly crowded sparkling water category, where brands are seeking to separate themselves...

The new beer has an ABV of 5% and will be available through the summer at select locations.

Dunkin’ releases second beer innovation with Harpoon Brewery

By Beth Newhart

Last fall Dunkin’ announced a limited edition partnership with Harpoon Brewery for its first-ever beer, the Harpoon Dunkin’ Coffee Porter. The two have teamed up again for a warm weather brew, the Harpoon Dunkin' Summer Coffee Pale Ale. Dunkin’ also...

The climate was ripe for Bar None at Coca-Cola thanks to alcohol consumption patterns driven by health-engaged consumers.

Setting the bar: Coca-Cola invests in mocktails with internal RTD line

By Beth Newhart

Coca-Cola dips into alcohol alternatives with the launch of Bar None, a collection of ready-to-drink mocktails. It's a new look for Coke with a “shift in the growth mindset of the company” that is “adopting more growth behaviors, being curious, taking...

It can take up to 100 frozen apples to make one bottle of ice cider using cryoextraction. Pic: Milton Ciderie

30 years of Canadian ice cider draws international attention

By Beth Newhart

A sweet, dessert cider that mimics the style of ice wine is slowly spreading beyond its point of origin. Canada’s ice cider is finding a niche market in the US with craft cidermakers willing to undertake the lengthy freezing, thawing and fermenting process.

Cherry cold brew will join the Shandy's existing Lemonade and Grapefruit flavors this summer.

La Colombe marries citrus and coffee at Expo West

By Beth Newhart

Philadelphia-based La Colombe Coffee Roasters debuted a Shandy-inspired RTD coffee collection last summer with Lemonade and Grapefruit. At Expo West in Anaheim last week it previewed a Cherry flavor, launching summer 2019.

Stella calls its latest launch “a twist on the classic white wine spritzer.”

Spritzer is Stella’s first US innovation since 2013

By Beth Newhart

Stella Artois is expanding its cider portfolio in the US with a new wine spritzer alternative, made from a blend of apples and hibiscus flavors. It’s the first nationwide ‘liquid innovation’ from the brand since 2013.

In 2018, Rise opened a flagship cafe in Manhattan, established a presence in the Pacific Northwest and launched its oat-based lattes.

Rise Brewing Co partners with new Olympic sports

By Beth Newhart

Nitro cold brew coffee brand Rise Brewing Co. has announced a partnership with USA Surfing and USA Climbing ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In furthers Rise’s mission to ramp up national distribution and recognition.

IPLs have the potential to bridge the gap between beer’s two main categories.

India Pale Lagers carve out a niche in craft beer

By Beth Newhart

A marriage between India Pale Ales (IPAs) and lager beer, India Pale Lagers (IPLs) have been a small sub-category of craft beer for the past 10-15 years. Often described as ‘strong, hoppy’ lagers, recent IPL launches are fighting for shelf space in the...

Pink and premium: Pink gin, rosé wine and colourful cocktails are on trend

Not just for Valentine’s: Pink gin is now driving the ginaissance

By Rachel Arthur

Pink drinks traditionally see a Valentine's Day surge: but the category is more than a one-day wonder. Pink gin is driving growth in the gin category; rosé wine is becoming a year-round favourite; and colourful cocktails are trending on Instagram....

California's marijuana marketplace generated an estimated $2.5bn in sales in 2018.

Two Roots Brewing Co. expands cannabis drinks to California

By Beth Newhart

Cannabis-infused beer alternatives from Two Roots Brewing Co. are coming to California dispensaries. The Two Roots brand debuted THC and CBD options last summer in Nevada, brewed as alcohol-stripped craft beer.

Beetroot lattes are bursting onto Instagram thanks to their bright colour. Pic:getty/mariiaplo

‘Social media has changed the way we drink!’

By Rachel Arthur

Beetroot, matcha, turmeric and charcoal are helping beverages burst into colour – all the more important as bright and beautiful photos of what we eat and drink continue to gain traction on social media channels. So how is social media shaping beverage...

Flying Embers expands hard kombucha line

By Beth Newhart

Kombucha continues to grow in popularity, capitalizing on trends like fermentation and functional ingredients. It’s also branching out beyond the tea market and into alcohol with hard, beer-alternative options like Flying Embers.

 An uptick in ‘health and wellness’ launches usually coincides with the new year and resolution season. Pic: ©GettyImages/Rimma_Bondarenko

Wellness world: Six new functional drinks for 2019

By Beth Newhart

Capitalizing on the popularity of the ‘new year, new me’ mentality that comes around each January, these six beverage launches feature functional ingredients, adhere to specific diets and set out to be a fresh, healthy addition to 2019.

Today’s consumers are expecting function, taste, affordability and convenience all rolled into one beverage. Pic: ©GettyImages/baibaz

Superfoods take center stage in specialty beverages

By Beth Newhart

Functional beverage launches were common in 2018, and their popularity is only expected to grow in 2019. At the Winter Fancy Food Show (WWFS) in San Francisco, small-scale brands showcased new drinks packed with functional ingredients like rose extract,...

UK beverage trends for 2019: Fermentation, water plus, exotic ingredients and more

Five beverage trends for 2019

By Rachel Arthur

Sustainability, veganism and health are three macro trends that will continue to shape the beverage market in 2019, says UK flavour and fragrance company Treatt. From fermentation to exotic flavours, it outlines five areas to watch in the coming year....

Dunkin’ rolls out new packaging and Energy Cold Brew drink

By Beth Newhart

After announcing in September that the popular US-based coffee and donut chain would change its name from Dunkin’ Donuts to just Dunkin’, it’s officially launching the new brand identity in packaging and store design nationwide.

“If the spirits industry had the same access to consumers as wine, they could build a market worth billions of dollars.

State of the industry: What’s to come for alcohol in 2019

By Beth Newhart

The past year has seen the continued growth of craft beer and craft spirits, an increased number of microbreweries, and a rise in experiential drinking. Now the alcohol industry looks ahead to 2019 and what to expect for US drink trends, flavors and regulations.

Products containing CBD do not provide a ‘high’ as often associated with marijuana and can be sold anywhere in the US.

Sprig CBD sodas expand to nine states

By Beth Newhart

After being one of the earliest developers of THC-infused beverages, California-based Sprig entered the CBD market this year with a line of CBD sparkling sodas. These sodas are now sold at retailers in nine states.

The consumer expects taste, performance, functionality and environmental sustainability out of their beverages, sparking innovation like collagen coffee to keep up with demand.

Bulletproof Coffee expands collagen protein in its lineup

By Beth Newhart

Bulletproof Coffee is expanding its RTD line with more flavors infused with collagen protein. The brand looks to attract the mainstream health and wellness market with its pioneering use of collagen and Brain Octane oil in coffee.

More than 100 Canadian stores have opened their doors to the public this month, battled long lines and struggled to keep enough marijuana in stock to meet demand. Pic: ©GettyImages/FatCamera

Alcohol sales still growing in the face of cannabis legalization

By Beth Newhart

The nationwide legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada went into effect last week, with many concerned about what the new market could do to beer, wine and liquor sales. But TABS Analytics’ 2018 BevAlc study found no reason start worrying--yet....

Dunkin' will continue focusing on menu innovation, including more in-store and RTD beverages launches.

“Our goal is to transform Dunkin' into a beverage-led, on-the-go brand.”

Just call them Dunkin’: DD drops the ‘donuts’ and focuses on drinks

By Beth Newhart

In a week of major changes, Dunkin’ Donuts confirmed it’s dropping the ‘Donuts’ from its name, launches its first canned RTD beverage and announces a limited edition coffee beer in collaboration with Harpoon Brewery.

Indian juice company finds right formula as brands jockey to differentiate

Paper Boat floats down a stream of confidence in indigenous flavours

By Richard Whitehead

“One rainy day, an August afternoon, when you had just come home from school, completely drenched. Tearing a page from your math notebook, you ran outside to make a tiny boat and launch it into the biggest puddle you could find! Mom would then call your...

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