After taking a few weeks for my maternity leave, it is great to be back with Beverage Industry. In the weeks that I was gone, there was no shortage of new product releases. Whether it was alcohol or non-alcohol, the readers had a number of great products from which to choose in the Readers’ Choice New Product of Month poll for May.

With the summer weather now in full swing, refreshing products garnered readers’ interest. With 71 percent of the vote, American Beverage Corp.’s Hug Fruit Slushees won the honor for the monthly poll. The new frozen novelties are available in Strawberry and Blue Raspberry varieties, and are available at retailers nationwide in easy-to-freeze and easy-to-squeeze 8-ounce pouches, it says. 

Coming in second with 6 percent of the vote was ultra-premium anejo tequila, Alacrán Cristal, a release from up-and-coming tequila company Alacrán Tequila. Numerous new products posted during the month of May tied for third with 3 percent of the vote.

Be sure to check out all the new products posted during the month of June, by visiting www.bevindustry.com/topics/2644-new-products. And check back on July 6 to vote for your favorite new product.

Happy summer everyone!