What’s hitting the shelves? Coffee & broccoli; coconut tea; and strawberry & cream gin
Pop Idol star launches coconut tea
UK Pop Idol TV show alumnus Gareth Gates has launched a range of caffeine-free coconut tea, Cuppanut.
Unveiled at the Food and Drink Expo in Birmingham last month, the teas are making their way into stores.
“Loaded with raw, fresh coconut and a range of other detoxifying ingredients, Cuppanut rehydrates the body more effectively thanks to its abundance of electrolytes.
"Plenty of short chain and medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) also contribute to a healthy heart, and the added ingredients like ginger and turmeric can speed up the metabolism and contribute towards sustainable weight loss,” says the brand.
The teas use biodegradable tea bags and packaging that can be recycled.
The three varieties are coconut infusion; coconut and cranberry infusion; and coconut, ginger and turmeric infusion.
Spicy party drink
Scottish family-owned distillery Ian Macleod Distillers has launched a ‘spicy party drink’ called Rocket Cat Spirit Drink.
The ‘boisterous drink’ is aimed at 21-25 year-olds and can be consumed as a shot, in cocktails, or with food. The 50cl bottle has an ABV of 34.7% and contains Scotch whisky with a cinnamon hit.
Rocket Cat is launching this month on board Baltic Sea cruises with Viking and Tallink Silja.
It will also soon be available on ferry operator, Scandlines, and on ferries departing from Puttgarden Harbour in Germany.
“We think Scandinavia is going to be a big market for this drink so the opportunity to sell and promote Rocket Cat with these leading ferry companies couldn’t be more fitting,” said Andy Lane, travel retailer director for the distillery.
Broccoli coffee?
Brassica Protection Products has launched its Brassica Coffee with truebroc glucoraphanin from broccoli seeds.
Glucoraphanin is an antioxidant found in broccoli.
Brassica Coffee is available in light and dark roast coffees. The light roast features a blend of Guatemala Antigua, Colombian Supremo and Bourbon Brazil Santos coffees. The dark roast variety has a blend of French roasted Central American, South American and African Arabica coffees.
Each K-Cup contains 15 milligrams of glucoraphanin.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $10.69 per box of 12 K-Cups.
Strawberries and cream – in gin
Independent small batch distillery Poetic Licence has produced a summer limited edition gin: Strawberries and Cream Picnic Gin.
It combines traditional botanicals, such as juniper and coriander, with a mix of real strawberries and cream that are both distilled and infused for a stronger, fruitier taste.
The gin (37.5%) is best served with a premium elderflower tonic water or lemonade and mixed fruit, says the distillery.
“Many flavored gins are either distilled or infused but ours uses both processes to pack as big a punch as possible,” said distiller Luke Smith.
“We hope it will soon find its way into picnic baskets across the UK.”
Protein coffee in a can
UK company Reflex Nutrition has launched a premium milk protein drink infused with Arabica coffee and 75mg of naturally occurring caffeine.
The drink, which is available 250ml cans, contains 25g of protein. It is also fat free and contains no added sugar.
“This new product is not just a standard milk protein drink with coffee flavoring; it is far more sophisticated,” says the brand.
The official launch for the drink was at the Body Power show at the NEC in Birmingham this week.
Protein Coffee will be available in Holland & Barrett and Ocado.
Chlorophyll Water
Verday Chlorophyll water debuted at Expo West and is now available online from Amazon Prime.
A 16oz bottle contains 100mg of chlorophyll - equivalent to two shots of wheatgrass, four cups of spinach or 12 cups of arugula – says the brand.
“This gorgeous green water delivers the elixir of life that has nourished all living things since the beginning of time,” it adds.
It is available in three flavors - watermelon, cucumber, and ginger lemongrass - at an introductory price of $39 for 12 x 16oz bottles.
Gin that smells
Distiller Simon Fairclough has founded Persie Gin, an aromatic gin brand that taps into the sense of smell. Gin is made using botanicals to evoke an emotive and comforting scent.
Zesty Citrus Gin (42% vol) uses fresh limes and oranges; Herby & Aromatic Gin (40% vol) contains rosemary, basil and bay leaves for a dry and savory mouthfeel; and the Sweet & Nutty Old Tom Gin (43% vol) is created with vanilla pods and almonds.
Fairclough, who is also behind Gin Club Scotland, has launched Persie Gin from a distillery in the former Persie Hotel at the foot of Glenshee in Scotland.
“The gin styles that score top marks every time… all have one thing in common: that perfect interplay of aroma and taste. Scientific research shows over 75% of flavor is down to your sense of smell,” he said.
“Not all styles of gin will appeal equally to everybody – but that’s the wonder of taste and smell; it’s all deeply personal and subjective!”
Leaner Creamer Hazelnut
Leaner Creamer, the Californian natural powdered creamer brand, has introduced a second flavor: hazelnut.
The Leaner Creamer concept is to replace hydrogenated and trans-fat filled creamers with a healthier alternative.
Its formula includes coconut oil, citrus aurantium extract, hoodia and green tea extract, which the brand says helps speed up metabolism, aid digestion, increase lipolysis and suppress hunger.
Hazelnut Leaner Creamer can be used with coffee, tea, smoothies and recipes that call for creamer.
A bottle (280 grams/9.87 ounces) is non-dairy, gluten-free and sugar-free.
Its powdered form means it can be stored at room temperature.
Fruity water
Natural Immune Products has launched a natural, fruit-flavored range aimed at children aged one and above in the UK.
Nurture Fruity Water+ comes in two flavors: cherry & strawberry; and orange & pineapple. It is packaged in a 200ml pouch with a RSP of 99p-£1.49, available in Ocado, Whole Foods Market, Suma and Holland & Barrett.
The drinks contain vitamins B6, B9, B12, C, D and Zinc to contribute to the normal function of the immune system.
Premium Sri Lankan tea launches in Australia
Tea brand Dilmah has launched its Ceylon Green Tea range, hand-picked and ethically produced in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka: 6,500-7,000ft above sea level.
Dilmah has created a new green tea production plant in Sri Lanka, and the brand explains its green tea had until recently been produced in China like most green tea in Australia. “Sri Lanka has an ideal climate for the production of premium tea, with variations in taste, quality, character and appearance largely based on the terroir of the region,” said the brand.
The Ceylon Green Tea range comes in four varieties, costing $3.69 AUD for 20 tea bags. These are Pure Ceylon Green Tea, Ceylon Green Tea with Moroccan Mint, Ceylon Green Tea with Jasmine, and Ceylon Green Tea with Lemongrass.
The tea is available in select Woolworths and Coles stores, as well as some independent supermarkets. Pullman Quay Grand Sydney is also using the Moroccan Mint variety throughout May in a cocktail named ‘In Mint Condition’.
Sparkling Ice launches in UK and Ireland
Sparkling Ice - the flavored sparkling water brand that achieved $659m in retail sales in its native US last year - is launching this month in the UK and Ireland.
The 12 calorie drink will initially be available in three flavors: black raspberry, orange mango and peach nectarine.
The manufacturer recommended retail price is £1.49 in the UK and €1.99 in Ireland for a 500ml bottle.
Read more about the launch here.
Limited edition flavors for DRY Sparkling
DRY Sparkling will release two limited edition summer soda flavors - Serrano Pepper and Malali Watermelon – next month. Read more about the flavors here.
Launching a new beverage? Send a summary and image to rachel.arthur@wrbm.com
