Ceder’s launches in the US
Ceder’s non-alcoholic ‘alt-gin’ has launched in the US (pictured above).
The brand launched in the UK in 2018, and has since expanded to more than 24 markets.
It is launching in the US in four expressions:
- Ceder’s Classic (akin to a classic gin, mostly juniper but with floral hints);
- Ceder’s Crisp (juniper combined with citrus, cucumber and camomile);
- Ceder’s Wild (juniper combined with ginger, clove and rooibos);
- Ceder’s Pink Rose (juniper combined with rose and hibiscus).
Ceder’s is made from classic gin and exotic botanicals unique to South Africa’s Cederberg mountains.
These South African botanicals are combined with Swedish water and bottled in Sweden to create a unique product that provides all the flavor of gin without the alcohol.
“The idea for Ceder’s came from a wish to create a great tasting, beautifully served alcohol-free drink that had all the rich juniper flavors of a gin but that could be easily enjoyed as an everyday escape,” says founder Craig Hutchison.
“With the rapidly expanding interest in low- and no-alcohol beverages across the US, we’re confident Ceder’s will be an exciting entry in the market.”
The four varieties can be used as premium mixers; are suitable for vegetarians and vegans; and have 1-2 calories per serving with zero sugar.
Ceder’s has launched via online market places and in retail and on-premise locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C., with additional states to follow.
A 500mL bottle has a suggested retail price of $21.99.
Bud Light Seltzer holiday flavors
Bud Light Seltzer has launched a variety pack for the holiday season.
The Ugly Sweater variety pack has four flavors and is available across the US.
The new flavors are:
- Bud Light Seltzer Apple Crisp: flavors of fresh baked apple pie, cinnamon & nutmeg.
- Bud Light Seltzer Peppermint Pattie: flavors of peppermint & rich dark chocolate.
- Bud Light Seltzer Gingersnap: ginger spice flavor & notes of brown sugar and vanilla.
- Bud Light Seltzer Cranberry: A ‘bold berry’ aroma with a balance of sweetness & tartness (this variety is available year round).
Similar to the original Bud Light Seltzer flavors launched earlier this year, the new Bud Light Seltzer Ugly Sweater variety packs are made with cane sugar, natural fruit flavors and no artificial sweeteners using a five-step filtration process.
Each 5% ABV flavor has less than 1 gram of sugar and 100 calories.
Sparkling wine made in the dark
Slovenian winery Radgonske Gorice has launched a new sparkling wine brand called Untouched by Light.
This 12% ABV wine is unique because of its production process. Night vision goggles are used for harvest, bottle rotation and packing. The wine is left to age for two to three years in a cave, where it is untouched by the outside world, completely lightproof.
Once out of the cave, the wine is protected in a black lightproof bottle, packed in a vacuum-sealed bag blocking any additional light or air contact.
Untouched by Light is made from Chardonnay grapes (100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs) using the inside-the-bottle French fermentation method.
“The first 2016 vintage is extremely fresh, fruity and citrusy with the aftertaste of green tea and mint. There is a continuation from the nose to the mouth. Very delicate bubbles give creaminess to the wine. It’s like an echo, balancing between the softness and crispiness which are usually in contradiction, but here they are together,” said Pierre-Yves Bournerias, the sommelier from the Institut Oenologique de Champagne.
Scotch and tonic
Australian-owned blended Scotch Whisky brand, Pure Scot, has launched into the ready-to-drink category with two new canned cocktails.
“Pure Scot Signature & Tonic is the world’s first ready to drink Scotch and tonic, a revolutionary pairing that says “don’t be told” to anyone who claims there’s only one way to drink Scotch,” says the brand.
“Pure Scot has been growing in Australia with many of our top bars now reaching for our Whisky to create cocktails that take advantage of Pure Scot’s flavour profile.
“With the shift towards more at home consumption, we decided to bring some of our favourite recipes to consumers in a ready to drink format. Pure Scot and Tonic is the world’s first Scotch and Tonic ready to drink cocktail, for a light and refreshing long drink that we know will bring Scotch to a whole new group of drinkers.
“Pure Scot Virgin Oak & Smoked Cola is a sultry take on a classic Scotch pairing. Hints of campfire smoke in Pure Scot’s all-natural cola is mixed with a punchy shot of Pure Scot Virgin Oak, a spicy and complex blended Scotch Whisky; an instantly elevated classic.”
The 8% ABV Pure Scot cocktails are available individually (RRP $8.99), in a 4-pack (RRP $28.99) or carton of 24 (RRP $169.99).
Essentials hydration
Sparkling Ice maker Talking Rain Beverage Company is launching Talking Rain Essentials Hydration: a new functional water.
The enhanced water is part of the Essentials portfolio which was launched earlier this year.
Essentials Hydration is carefully crafted with a 9.5pH level and minerals and electrolytes for taste, offered in a convenient one liter bottle.
Chris Hall, CEO, Talking Rain, said: “With the rise in demand for alkaline waters on the market, we’re confident that consumers who are looking for the perfect balance of pH levels will appreciate the quality and taste of Essentials Hydration.”
Talking Rain Essentials Hydration is available in select retailers in Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, the Pacific Northwest, and will be expanding to wider markets in 2021.
Calpico goes mainstream
Asahi Soft Drink Ltd, a subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings, is expanding Japanese brand Calpico in the US.
The brand (launched in Japan in 1919 as the world’s first lactobacilli, non-carbonated beverage and known as Calpis in Asia) launched in the US nearly 30 years ago to select Asian and specialty stores.
It is now launching an Amazon stores and expanding national retail availability to most major grocers in the country including Kroger chain (Kroger, Ralph’s, Fred Meyer, Smith’s, King Soopers), Hy-Vee, Harmon’s, Safeway, Vons, Save Mart, Foodland, and all Asian Grocery Markets.
The drink has “the real fruit taste of mango, strawberry, white peach, lychee, and original citrus.”
In North America, Calpico is available in five flavors: mango, strawberry, white peach, lychee, and original citrus.
Pink martini
Diageo is launching two new premix cocktails in the UK off-trade: Gordon’s Pink Martini (5% ABV) and Smirnoff Passion Fruit Martini (5% ABV).
The ready-mixed cocktails seek to capitalise on the rapidly growing premix cocktail market, currently in growth by +43.8%, according to Nielsen figures. The new drinks tap into the growing desire for convenience amongst consumers as well as a trend towards quality products and perfect serves at home or on-the-go.
Gordon’s Pink Martini mixes Gordon’s Premium Pink Distilled Gin with raspberry juice and natural berry flavours ‘for a silky-smooth serve’.
Capitalising on the UK’s most popular cocktail of 2019 – the Pornstar Martini – Smirnoff Passion Fruit Martini mixes Smirnoff No. 21 Premium Vodka with passion fruit juice and natural fruit and vanilla flavourings for a lightly carbonated cocktail.
Gordon’s Pink Martini and Smirnoff Passion Fruit Martini have a RSP of £2 per can.
Kah Tequila
Amber Beverage Group is launching its KAH Tequila in Canada, eying up accelerated growth in the tequila category.
KAH, which translates as ‘life’ in the ancient Mayan language, is produced by Fabrica de Tequilas Finos in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. The product range features three expressions – Blanco, Reposado and Añejo – with each being made from hand-selected 100% Blue Agave and presented in a decorated bottle.
The Luxembourg headquartered company – which covers more than 70 global markets – has partnered with Mark Anthony Group to launch the tequila in Canada.
Hospitality Gin
A new not-for-profit gin brand – called Hospitality Gin – has been created to support the UK hospitality industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The drink was created by Tom Lord, an industry-veteran based in Sheffield. All profits benefit the UK’s hospitality industry and workers via The Drinks Trust and Hospitality Action, with plans to set up a dedicated fund.
Lord started on the first bottles of Hospitality Gin just two weeks after having the idea: teaming up with Cooper King Distillery in North Yorkshire, and setting up a crowdfunder in mid-May to sell the initial bottles. Within weeks he’d sold out of the initial batch, followed by a second. Hospitality Gin is now on its third batch, which now has wider availability via various wholesalers and bars.
Hospitality Gin is available direct from the brand’s website for £37 per bottle, as well as from a number of wholesalers, including Master of Malt and Hammonds of Knutsford.
The wider hospitality industry employs more than 3 million workers in the UK, making it the third-largest industry in the country.
Rekorderlig cider
Flavored cider brand Rekorderlig is unveiling a fresh new look for its 330ml range in Australia.
The brand is switching from amber to clear glass, rolling out across the brand’s three flavors by the end of the year.
The 500ml bottles will remain in amber bottles.
Rekorderlig Cider is distributed in Australia exclusively by Coca-Cola Amatil.
