Claussen, a brand from The Kraft Heinz Co., Chicago and Pittsburgh, is teaming up with Spritz Society, the award winning sparkling wine cocktail company, to create a first-of-its-kind pickle flavored cocktail. 

Aspartame-sweetened foods and beverages are safe, according to a definitive new finding issued jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The WHO and FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) reviewed decades of high-quality evidence and real-world consumption data, establishing an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) at which aspartame can be safely consumed daily over the course of an entire lifetime.

Jones Soda Co., Seattle, announced a groundbreaking advancement in its augmented reality (AR) program with a proprietary new platform developed for Jones by Clio Award-winning creative agency August Allen. The new innovation expands on Jones’ legacy featuring fans on their labels, bringing video storytelling into a mobile first AR experience.

Louisville, K.Y.-based Alani Nu, a “better-for-you” health and wellness brand founded by entrepreneur and influencer Katy Hearn, announced its partnership with entrepreneur and celebrity Kim Kardashian. The collaboration, Alani by Kim K, features an exclusive, limited-edition energy drink called "Kimade," which offers a refreshing twist on a classic flavor, Strawberry Lemonade.

Truly Hard Seltzer, a brand of Boston-based The Boston Beer Co., announced the launch of the first-ever Zero-G drinking experience with the Truly Zero Gravity Bar. Built inside a specialized Boeing-727 "G-Force One," operated by Zero-G and serving a variety of Truly Hard Seltzers, on board, passengers can drink Truly, while walking across the ceiling, soaring through space, and seeing their Truly cans float before their eyes, it says. 

Richardson, Texas-based NuZee Inc., a leading coffee co-packing and technology company, announced entering into a five-year global licensing agreement with Stone Brewing, Escondido, Calif. Under the exclusive agreement, NuZee intends to co-manufacture and distribute Stone Brewing specialty coffee products nationwide through a vast network of natural grocery, traditional grocery, and convenience store channels, as well as office coffee and hotel brokers and distributors.

HELL ENERGY, Budapest, Hungary, unveiled its first energy drink entirely powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Every aspect of the energy drink has been crafted by advanced AI systems from the design, recipe, tasting and taste evaluation, predictive intelligence, security measures and marketing elements, the company says.

New York-based Betty Buzz, a sparkling beverage brand, announced the launch of Betty Booze, a new line of gourmet low-alcohol, sparkling cocktails. The launch of Betty Booze is part of the company's larger expansion strategy to win new audiences and occasions by challenging conventions of taste in sparkling beverages – and beyond, the company says.

As part of the Armada, Mich.-based craft cidery’s 10^th anniversary celebrations, Blake’s Hard Cider (BHC) released two new cider flavors. Earlier this month, BHC unveiled Original and Jam Session. The two ciders will be available year-round in BHC’s 29-plus state footprint.

Chicago-based Tampico Beverages and COOP Beverage Works, the wholly owned subsidiary of Oklahoma City-based craft brewery COOP Ale Works, announced its TAMPICO Hard Punch Fiesta of Flavor Sweepstakes. The luxurious beach giveaway will grant two winners the grand prize of a trip for two to a tropical destination, the companies say.