Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola has discontinued its Spiced flavor just six months after its launch, revealing challenges in appealing to younger consumers. Despite a significant promotional push, sales fell short, likely due to confusion about the flavor and a lack of consumer awareness. The company plans to introduce a new flavor in 2025, reflecting its strategy of continuous adjustment based on consumer preferences. As drinkers increasingly favor bold and complex flavors, Coca-Cola's broader trend of cutting underperforming products continues, alongside a shift toward healthier beverage options.
Climeworks is carbonating Valser sparkling mineral water by using direct air capture technology to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere for carbonation. This collaboration with Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company in Switzerland supports both companies' sustainability goals, as Climeworks aims to capture 1 percent of global CO₂ emissions by 2025. By reusing air-captured CO₂, Coca-Cola addresses the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly practices while maintaining product innovation.
Monster
Monster Energy has introduced Juice Monster Rio Punch to the Juice Monster line, inspired by the vibrant energy of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival and the diverse fruits of Brazil. This drink combines exotic fruit flavors with a hint of spice, aiming to celebrate the essence of Brazilian culture. Dan McHugh, Monster’s chief marketing officer, says Rio Punch is designed to energize consumers, making it suitable for various activities like surfing and hiking.
Other Companies
Tilray Brands is set to launch its new line of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC (HDD9) beverages in the US from October 2024 through its Tilray Alternative Beverages division. The portfolio includes premium mocktails, seltzers and sparkling drinks designed for relaxation and enjoyment, with each product containing 5mg of HDD9 per can. Key brands in the lineup are 420 Fizz, Herb & Bloom, Fizzy Jane’s and Happy Flower, each crafted to appeal to different consumer tastes and occasions. Tilray aims to tap into the growing market for alternative adult beverages, leveraging its expertise in cannabis and beverage innovation.
Nutrabolt, owner of C4 Energy, partnered with The Hershey Company to launch a line of products featuring popular Hershey flavors in energy drinks, pre-workouts and protein powders. This collaboration first introduces flavors such as C4 Original x Bubble Yum pre-workout and C4 Performance Energy x Jolly Rancher energy drinks, both available this month, with C4 Whey Protein powders following in October. The new products cater to athletes and fitness enthusiasts, blending familiar candy flavors with performance-enhancing ingredients like caffeine and beta-alanine. C4 Performance Energy drinks contain 200mg of caffeine as well as CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine and BetaPower.
Munich’s Oktoberfest might not be the first event you would think of as offering alcohol-free beer, but with beer consumption declining, the market for nonalcoholic options like alcohol-free beers is growing rapidly. During Oktoberfest, nearly all large tents offer alcohol-free beer, providing a guilt-free alternative for attendees as its rising popularity reflects a broader trend of consumers seeking enjoyable alternatives to alcoholic beverages. As interest in nonalcoholic options grows, brewers are adapting to meet consumer demands while ensuring quality and taste remain paramount.
Jones Soda Co. expanded its Mary Jones cannabis brand by introducing two new Hemp Delta-9 colas: Cola and Zero Cola. These are among the first colas in the HD9 category and the first zero-calorie THC-infused cola, targeting consumers seeking legal alternatives to alcoholic beverages. Both utilize Jones' experience in flavors, offering a crisp taste without a weedy aftertaste, and are sweetened with natural cane sugar or sucralose. Alongside these new flavors, the Mary Jones line now includes HD9 Berry Lemonade, Green Apple, MF Grape and Orange & Cream, along with gummies and shooters.