Health and wellness, convenience trends drive beverage innovation
December 11, 2015
Creating a new beverage presents myriad challenges. According to Chicago-based Mintel’s Global New Products Database, 3,142 new beverages were released in the United States from January to October 2015.
In 2009, reality-TV celebrity Bethenny Frankel founded Skinnygirl Cocktails on the premise that women want low-calorie, great-tasting Margaritas. In 2011, Deerfield, Ill.-based Beam Suntory acquired the brand, which has since grown to include 21 low-calorie products in the vodka, wine and ready-to-drink categories, according to Brendan Lynch, senior marketing director at Beam Suntory.
Whether it's relaxing at home, dining out at a restaurant or celebrating with friends and family, American consumers are enjoying wine in a wider variety of occasions. A recent report titled “The 2015 Gallo Consumer Wine Trends Survey,” commissioned by Modesto-Calif.-based E. & J. Gallo Winery, found that 85 percent of frequent wine drinkers now consider wine as an appropriate beverage for casual and formal settings alike. One-thousand frequent wine drinkers between the ages of 21 and 64 were surveyed as a follow-up to the 2014 survey of the same name, which aims to capture the current state of American wine-drinking attitudes and behaviors, the company says.
New labels for premium bourbon and rye whiskey lines feature detailed turkey illustration
December 2, 2015
Wild Turkey, a brand of San Francisco-based Campari America, a division of Gruppo Campari, debuted a new look for its premium bourbon and rye whiskey range. Although no changes were made to the liquid, Wild Turkey designed the new packaging for its global line of products to better reflect the core values of the brand, it says. A new, detailed turkey illustration now can be found on every expression, most prominently displayed on Wild Turkey 101, and depicts a spirited bird that is authentic, proud, and bold, it adds.
Former Vita Coco president assumes leadership with spirits company
December 1, 2015
The Board of Directors of New Rochelle, N.Y.-based Sidney Frank Importing Co. Inc. (SFIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mast-Jagermeister, named Jeffrey B. Popkin as the company's chief executive officer.
Mile High Mixology Guide gives in-fight cocktail recipes
November 24, 2015
Boston-based Drizly, the technology company offering convenient alcohol delivery across the United States, unveiled its Mile High Mixology Guide. The guide features suggestions for travelers to become their own in-flight mixologist during holiday air travel this year, the company says.
Brotherhood of Bacardi Oakheart includes digital, social efforts
November 23, 2015
Hamilton, Bermuda-based Bacardi Ltd.’s Bacardi Oakheart spiced rum is ramping up media efforts just in time for the holidays. Originally focused on four markets — California, Florida, Indiana and Texas — the brand plans to expand the campaign into other states in 2016.