As the economy continues to expand, premium and super-premium distilled spirits are coming back stronger than ever, according to the Beverage Information & Insights Group’s “2014 Liquor Handbook.” The Norwalk, Conn.-based company reports that this premiumization trend means that consumers are drinking less but drinking “better,” which resulted in slower case sales growth of 2.2 percent, reaching 210 million 9-liter cases in 2013.

New York-based TY KU Sake & Spirits created a new importing and marketing group, Davos Brands, under the direction of Founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Svedka Vodka Guillaume Cuvelier, who will serve as the new company’s vice chairman.

Lassonde Industries Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of fruit juices and juice drinks based in Rougemont, Quebec, completed its previously announced acquisition of Apple & Eve LLC, Port Washington, N.Y., for a total cash consideration of $147.9 million.

In celebration of its second anniversary, Waiakea Water has released its inaugural commercial. The roughly 1-minute commercial offers an informational approach about the brand’s natural filtration process through an active volcano.

ProSupps USA, Allen, Texas, released its pre-workout powder Mr. Hyde in a ready-to-drink (RTD) format.

Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, reported its financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal-year 2014.

London-based SABMiller plc reported total beverage volume growth of 3 percent, on an organic basis, in its first quarter of 2014, which ended June 30. In addition, the company’s group net producer revenue (NPR) was up 6 percent, and group NPR per hectoliter was up 3 percent, both on an organic, constant currency basis, in the term.

PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., reported organic revenue growth of 3.6 percent and reported net revenue growth of 0.5 percent in the second quarter of 2014, compared with the prior-year period. Global beverages experienced 2 percent organic revenue growth and a 1 percent reported net revenue decline because of unfavorable foreign exchange translation and the company’s refranchising of its bottling operations in Vietnam, it says.

The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, reported its second-quarter and year-to-date 2014 operating results. In its quarterly financial statement, the company reported worldwide volume growth of 3 percent for the second quarter and 2 percent year to date, with gained value share in non-alcohol ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverages.

This summer seems to be all about celebratory beverages, as readers are showing favor with spirits and alternative beverages that support a night out on the patio or on the town. In Beverage Industry’s June New Products poll, readers voted tropical rum beverage Blue Chair Bay Banana Rum as the top beverage posted on www.bevindustry.com during the month.