Pernod Ricard’s ‘irreverent’ challenger whisky​

Pernod Ricard is hoping to attract younger shoppers into the single malt whisky category with its ‘sweetly peated’ single malt, Allt-A-Bhainne.

The 40% ABV spirits is ‘sophisticated and multidimensional… with fruity undertones that create the perfect balance between peatiness and fruitiness’.

Pernod Ricard says the brand can offer something different for the next generation of whisky drinkers. It is produced from the Allt-A-Bhainne distillery in Speyside, making it the first official single malt brand produced at the distillery which was founded in 1975.

Allt-A-Bhainne is available in the UK for a RSP of £37 for a 70cl bottle.

Coca-Cola’s Minute Maid smoothie​

Coca-Cola India has expanded its Minute Maid portfolio with Minute Maid Smoothie, ‘a delicious snack that combines fruit, milk and nutrients’.

The smoothie is made from locally sourced fruits, and has been designed to suit the Indian palate and cater for mothers looking for a combination of nutritious goodness and taste for their children.

Vijay Parasuraman Vice President, Coca-Cola India & South West Asia, said: “Minute Maid Smoothie contains real mango juice that gives it a great taste kids love, puree of banana which makes it filling, goodness of whole milk that mothers trust and topped up with nutrients such as Vitamin B3, B6, Vitamin E, Zinc and Calcium that play a key role in metabolism and building strength and stamina.”​

Minute Maid Smoothie is available in Mango & Banana variants, priced at INR 30 for 250ml.

The product is initially available in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and will be rolled out to other states. Coca-Cola India will also expand the Smoothie range by introducing other popular flavors in the coming months.

Pumpkin spice latte is back​

August and September see the return of pumpkin spice flavors​ in the northern hemisphere, including that of La Colombe’s seasonal-batch Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte.

“Each Draft Latte can naturally delivers 120mg of caffeine, a good source of protein (14% DV) and a great source of calcium (20% DV) and vitamin D (25% DV). Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte has just 4 grams of added sugar, which is half the amount of sugar offered in a traditional PSL,”​ says the brand.

The drink is made with cold-pressed espresso and fresh milk, and combined with real pumpkin puree and a blend of natural spices. The brand uses no artificial ingredients.

La Colombe Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte is available online, in café, and at select retailers nationwide. It retails at $2.99 per can.

Carlton Zero​

Carton & United Breweries, AB InBev's Australian subsidiary, has launched its first non-alcoholic beer in its 180 year history.

Carlton Zero​ has been designed to appeal to beer lovers with a non-alcoholic variety ‘that actually tastes of beer’.

“Carlton Zero has a real beer flavour that proves it’s possible to make a great tasting non-alcoholic beer,” ​​says CUB. ​

“Slightly hoppy with a fruity aroma, it is a full-flavoured classic beer style.”​

It is available in liquor stores and major supermarkets throughout Australia.

Koia fruit infusions​

Koia, an 100% plant-based protein beverage brand, is launching its new Fruit Infusions line this month.

Koia’s Fruit Infusions feature three flavors: Chocolate Banana, Mango Creme, and Strawberry Cream. Containing 18g of plant protein and 6g or sugar, the ready-to-drink beverage will be available in select retailers across the country for $3.99.

“After seeing a huge success with Koia’s original line that scaled it to become the most productive refrigerated protein brand in the natural channel within just 18 months of inception, Koia listened to its fans demand for a fruit-based variety,”​ says the brand.

Koia’s 18g of protein is a proprietary blend of brown rice, pea and hemp proteins; and each flavor contains nine essential amino acids. All drinks are natural, dairy free, soy free, gluten free, vegan and Non-GMO Project Verified.

V8+Hydrate​

Campbell Soup Company has expanded its V8 line with V8+Hydrate: a plant-based hydration beverage using sweet potato juice.

“This category-changing beverage taps into the naturally occurring electrolytes and glucose of the sweet potato and perfectly blends it with water—creating an isotonic beverage that quickly replenishes fluids and nutrients,”​ says the brand.

V8+Hydrate contains one serving of vegetables; is free from added sugar or artificial sweeteners, is non-GMO, gluten free and vegan; and contains 45 calories per 8oz can.

The drink is available in three flavors: Strawberry Cucumber, Coconut Watermelon and Orange Grapefruit.

V8+Hydrate​ can be found in US retailers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $4.99/6-pack.

Drinkfinity enters coffee category​

PepsiCo's vessel and pod hydration system, Drinkfinity, has launched two coffee capsule lines in the US: creating 'an entirely new iced coffee experience'.

The Drinkfinity Coffee Infusion Pod flavors - Americano Charge and Cinnamon Americano Charge - each contain two espresso shots (143mg of caffeine) from Colombian coffee.

The pods are free from artificial flavors and artificial sweeteners: Americano Charge is entirely unsweetened while Cinnamon Americano Charge contains cinnamon and is sweetened with cane sugar and stevia leaf.

Hernan Marina, Vice President, Global Business Innovation, Drinkfinity, said: "We are iced coffee enthusiasts and just like many consumers, we were looking for new ways to make iced coffee quickly in the morning.​

"Each coffee flavor was designed for consumers to prepare and customize with ease, while preserving the essence of the classic Americano."​

The Drinkfinity Charge Coffee Infusion Pods cost $1.63 a 'pop' and come in packs of four at $6.50. The Drinkfinity Vessel retails for $20.

Drinkfinity Pods use around 65% less plastic than a 20 oz RTD bottle, says PepsiCo.

Michelob Ultra launches in the UK​

AB InBev is launching Michelob Ultra in the UK: bringing the fastest growing beer brand in the US to the UK market.

The 79 calorie premium lager hopes to capitalize on the consumer trend for moderation and wellness. AB InBev's portfolio in the UK no/low alcohol sector already includes Beck's Blue, Budweiser Prohibition and Bud Light.

Michelob Ultra is brewed at 3.5% ABV. Quoting figures from Nielsen, AB InBev says: "British drinkers are demonstrating a taste for lower-strength brews (beer brewed to between 0.5% and 3.5% ABV). ​

"In the 12 months to July 2018, consumers bought more than 61 million pints of low-alcohol beer, representing 34% growth on the same period last year."​

Michelob Ultra will roll out nationwide in major supermarkets and chain convenience stores from October in sleek 355ml cans and six and 12 pack formats. Bottled and draught formats will be released in the on-trade next spring.

Fever-Tree and Patron partner up​

Premium tonic water brand Fever-Tree and Patron Tequila have partnered up to create Fever-Tree Citrus Tonic Water in the UK.

The drink is "a beautifully balanced blend of specially sourced citrus including Mexican limes, tangerines and bitter orange... a tonic water carefully crafted to pair perfectly with Patrón Tequila."​

The search for ingredients took the Fever-Tree team to Colima and Michoacán to source the perfect Key limes and Tahitian limes, before heading to Vera Cruz to find the best tangerines. Then it was on to Yucatán, to source bitter orange to sit with Fever-Tree’s signature quinine hand-sourced from the Cinchona trees in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fever-Tree Citrus Tonic Water is available in select bars, restaurants and specialist retail in the UK.

Rising Hope IPA​

In the US, the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation has joined forces with six breweries nationwide to release a limited-edition Rising Hope IPA through its Brewing Funds for the Cure campaign.

The Rising Hope IPA was first created by Tamp's Cigar City Brewery and Brew Bus Brewing in 2017.

This year the IPA is being brought to further breweries with total production doubled.

Participating breweries include Honolulu Beer Works (HI), Flying Heart Brewery (LA), Remedy Brewing (SD) and Grey Sail Brewing (RI).

All proceeds go towards funding research and treatment for children battling cancer.