PepsiCo unveiled its relaunched Sobe Life Water through a Super Bowl commercial in February. Available in Blackberry Grape, Pomegranate Cherry, Orange Tangerine, Strawberry Kiwi and Passionfruit Citrus, the low-calorie beverages have been reformulated to include sugar, and have reduced calories by 20 percent in the process. The waters also contain a blend of B vitamins and vitamins E and C as well as herbs such as taurine, ginseng, yerba mate, chamomile, guarana and rosehip.
Sonu Beverages introduced Sonu Water, a line of USDA Organic flavored waters. Enhanced with vitamins and electrolytes, the waters contain 45 calories per 8-ounce serving. The product is available in six flavors — Pomegranate Acai, Blueberry Pear, Lemon Tangerine, Strawberry Cranberry, Mango Peach and Tropical Passion Fruit — and is packaged in 16-ounce PETE bottles, and sells for $1.99.
NBI Juiceworks expanded its Sun Shower line with Stamina Superfood Smoothie. The all-natural, 100 percent juice smoothie is a blend of fruits, including pressed nectarine juice. Aiming to fight fatigue and enhance energy, Stamina Superfood Smoothie contains more than 20 vitamins, nutrients, amino acids, electrolytes and herbs, the company says. The superfood smoothie has three servings of fruit in every bottle and 120 calories per serving.
Leading Brands Inc. developed Die Hard Sports Energy Drink, which combines the benefits of sports and energy drinks such as hydration, replenishment of electrolytes and energy. Die Hard is non-carbonated, naturally flavored and sweetened with sugar. Available in 16-ounce cans, Die Hard initially has been released in four flavors: Lemon, Orange, Berry and Punch. The company will donate 10 cents from every can sold to American veterans injured in the service. The Die Hard line replaces Trek and Nitro in Leading Brands’ portfolio.
Miller Brewing Co. released MCG 64, a 64-calorie version of its Miller Genuine Draft Light. The beer was test marketed in Madison, Wis., last year, and this month will launch into Midwestern markets and be test marketed further in San Diego and Sacramento, Calif., and Arizona. MGD 64 will replace Miller Genuine Draft Light, which has 110 calories, in these markets.
Coca-Cola North America added Minute Maid Pomegranate flavored Tea and Minute Maid Pomegranate Lemonade to its line of Minute Maid Enhanced Juices. The products are 12 percent juice and fortified with vitamins C and E. The tea and lemonade are available in 59-ounce PET bottles that feature an easy-pour side grip.
Kraft Foods Inc. rebranded its “South Beach Diet” line to “South Beach Living,” and expanded its offerings into the beverage aisle with South Beach Living Tide Me Over Drink Mixes. The drink mixes are low-calorie, low-sodium and sugar-free fruit flavored mixes that can be added to bottled water. Available in Natural Strawberry Banana and Natural Tropical Breeze flavors, the mixes offer 3 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving.
Newport Quinoa Co. developed Quinoa Gold, a line of ready-to-drink USDA Organic quinoa-based beverages. Quinoa is a grain that was used by the Incas of the Andes Mountains in Peru and Bolivia that contains nine amino acids, fiber, protein, manganese, magnesium, iron, niacin, zinc, riboflavin and vitamins and minerals. The Quinoa Gold line includes three gluten-free flavors: Dark Berry, Mango Passion and Pina Colada.
Naked Juice Co., a subsidiary of PepsiCo, added a new flavor to its Naked Juice Probiotic line. Very Berry offers a blend of blueberry, apple and bananas, and joins Naked Juice Probiotic Tropical Mango, which launched in September. The probiotic line contains live, active cultures of the bacteria, which are recognized for their digestive and immune health benefits. The all-natural, 100 percent juice smoothie contains two servings of fruit in its 10-ounce bottle.
Balance Water Co. released a line of functional, non-flavored spring waters with homeopathic Australian flower essences. The waters originally launched in the Australian market in 2005. Balance Water products include — Balance Water for Mind, for Women, for Traveling and for Children — and each contain a specific flower infusion based on its targeted audience or function.