The beverage industry has experienced quite the roller coaster ride over the last couple of years. First, New York City tried to ban super-sized sugar-laden drinks. Now, Maryland is in position to become the first state to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors. Whatever the questionable ingredient is that forces such government regulation, today’s refrigerated and frozen beverages don’t have it. Instead, they promote energy in a healthy way.
At-home smoothies
Inventure Foods, Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., expanded its Jamba at-home smoothie line to include Blue Fusionand Red Fusion. Each package contains frozen fruit and vegetable blocks that, when blended with one cup of apple juice, make two, 8-ounce servings. Combining blueberry, banana, apple, blackberry, carrot, broccoli and spinach ingredients, Blue Fusiondelivers a smoothie suitable for any time of day, while Red Fusionfeatures a blend of red raspberry, strawberry, dark sweet cherry, purple carrot and sweet potato ingredients to offer a refreshing beverage equally suitable as a post-workout refreshment or a better-for-you snack.
Kefir and vegetables join forces
Squeezing more veggies as well as more probiotics into your diet just got easier with new Veggie Kefir from Lifeway Foods, Inc., Morton Grove, Ill. What is said to be the first veggie/kefir combo on the market, this new smoothie comes in Tomato, Cucumber and Beet varieties and delivers a double dose of “healthy” by packing one full serving of vegetables and 12 probiotic cultures into every 8-ounce bottle. Lifeway also introduced Kefir with Oatsand Perfect 12 Kefir, which are made with sweet, simple, no-calorie stevia leaf extract.
Go coconuts for coconut juice
Los Angeles-based Amy and Brian’s introduced a new Coconut Juice made from 100% pure coconut water, smooth vanilla and caramel undertones. This fat-free, cholesterol-free refrigerated beverage is loaded with potassium and electrolytes, and is ideal for a mid-day pick-me-up, refueling after sports/exercise or just for enjoying a refreshing beverage.
Organic protein shakes
CalNaturale Svelte, makers of premium organic protein shakes, added CalNaturale Svelte Banana Crème to its line of refrigerated on-the-go beverages. Made with real organic banana purée, it offers just 180 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 11 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar and a fresh, organic soymilk base. Plus, the Svelte Banana Crème kind is USDA-certified organic, gluten-free and dairy-free.
Juice blends without the juice bar
No need to break the bank at juice bars for all-natural fresh fruit and veggie-blended juices. That’s because Old Orchard Brands, Sparta, Mich., launched Fruit & Veggie, a new line of 100% natural fruit and vegetable juice blends available for the first time as a frozen fruit juice concentrate. Available in Blueberry Pomegranate, Peach Mango and Strawberry Banana varieties, each 12-ounce container reconstitutes to six 8-ounce servings; every glass contains a full serving of both fruit and vegetables. Plus, each 8-ounce glass provides 100% of the daily value of vitamin C, 50% of the daily value of vitamin A and boosts of calcium and iron.
The fountain of youth
Youthy Forever brings health benefits disguised as a tasty, juice-based drink that contains anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. Youthy Forever contains 30 mg of resveratrol, which is known to promote skin longevity and protect against numerous health conditions such as cholesterol buildup, diabetes and cancer. Additionally, Youthy Forever contains 40 mg of grape seed extract, which is known to help prevent heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol. This 100% natural, non-GMO fruit juice is made with pear, pineapple, passion fruit and prickly pear, sans the high-fructose corn syrup and chemical additives in other fruit brands.
Cold-pressed artisan juices
Vital Juice, a Seattle-based premium organic juice company, debuted a new line of cold-pressed artisan juices that are locally crafted using 100% organic, non-GMO fruits and vegetables without added sugar, fillers, flavors, or pasteurization. Flavors include Vital Beet, Vital Greens, Vital Citrus and Vital Melon, as well as combinations like Vital Carrot with Almond and Vital Greens with Almond.
Vital Juice also launched Vital Kids, a line of 100% organic, GMO-free, locally-crafted fruit and vegetable juices for kids. Each 10-ounce bottle is packed with vital nutrients, essential enzymes and 100% organic fruit and vegetable juice. The lineup includes Green Gorilla (cucumber, apple, kale, spinach, lemon and almond milk), Captain Carrot (carrot, orange and almond milk), Mr. Squeeze (orange, pineapple, grapefruit and almond milk) and Mrs. Beet (orange, carrot, beet and almond milk).
Coffee turns cold
Hiland Dairy Foods, Springfield, Mo., released a new line of iced coffees, available in Mocha, Caramel and Vanilla. Complete with a sweet, crisp, creamy taste, these iced coffee selections come in half-gallon containers with a twist-cap pour spout.
HP Hood, LLC, Lynnfield, Mass., introduced Hood Latte Iced Coffee Drinks. Available in half-gallon containers, they come in Mocha, Mocha Light, Vanilla Latte and Caramel Macchiato.
Turkey Hill Dairy, Lancaster County, Pa., introduced iced coffee in a new drink lineup called Ooo-La-Latte. Available in Vanilla and Limited Edition Mocha (available throughout 2014) in 18.5-ounce single-serve and 57.6-ounce family sizes, both coffee flavorings are made with 100% brewed Colombian coffee and fresh milk.
To learn more about these and other new retail beverages, go to http://bit.ly/19VCNBi.
