New beverage launches: from tequila to cannabis iced tea

Oct 31, 2023

05-Jun-2023 - Last updated on 05-Jun-2023 at 08:55 GMT

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La Caza Tequila debuts its ‘smooth, authentic ultra-premium tequilas’ in Texas with three varieties: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo (pictured above).

The tequilas are all made with Blue Weber Agave grown by fifth generation farmers and handpicked in the Highlands region of Jalisco.

Distilled by the Vivanco Family, the tequilas are then cooked and fermented for nearly one hundred hours to the sound of classical music, and poured into hand-blown glass bottles, ‘becoming the welcoming spirit that is La Caza Tequila’.

The journey for La Caza Tequila began a decade ago with Austin-based Founder Drake Screws and his curiosity to find the ‘perfect tequila.’ Working in alcohol distribution while still in college, he began to immerse himself in the education and culture of tequila making, traveling to over 60 distilleries in Jalisco.

La Caza, which means ‘The Hunt’ in Spanish, represents ‘the adventurous spirit of its founders and inspires consumers to embark on their own journeys, whatever they may be’.

La Caza Tequila is currently available throughout the state of Texas including Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio; and in stores including Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods, Total Wine and Twin Liquors. Within the next couple of months, La Caza Tequila will expand across Texas and to other states including Florida and Ohio.

A direct-to-consumer partnership with Thirstie also allows 39 states to be able to purchase directly online from La Caza Spirits.

Flecha Azul Tequila – a US tequila brand founded in 2019 and backed by actor, producer and entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg – has announced its expansion into Canada.

The tequila is crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave, harvested at full maturity, and produced according to traditional methods at the Orendain Distillery.

Kyle Stein, President of WES Brands and responsible for leading Flecha Azul's international distribution, said: "We are thrilled to be bringing our ultra-premium, additive-free tequila to Canadian consumers. Canada is now the 4th largest import market for Tequila globally and will be a major priority for Flecha Azul moving forward."

Flecha Azul Blanco, Reposado and Añejo are now available for purchase across British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.

TeaPot, the cannabis-infused iced tea beverage brand from The Boston Beer Company which debuted in Canada in late 2022, has announced the launch of its newest flavor, Mango Green Tea.

TeaPot is made with real tea and infused with Pedro's Sweet Sativa, a cannabinoid-rich cultivar distributed by Entourage Health Corp. under the Color Cannabis adult-use brand.

Each 355ml (12-ounce) can of TeaPot Mango Green Tea contains 5mg of THC, is non-carbonated, and formulated to minimize any cannabis taste or aroma.

"We are excited to expand the TeaPot line with the introduction of Mango Green Tea," said Paul Weaver, Head of Cannabis for The Boston Beer Company.

"Our team has worked hard to create an amazingly smooth, lightly sweetened green tea that complements the natural effects of Pedro's Sweet Sativa. We call it a Good Day Iced Tea and it pairs perfectly with a relaxing weekend by the lake."

TeaPot's Mango Green Tea debuts in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan and is available for purchase at select cannabis retail outlets and online.

Building on its flavor partnership with Swizzels Sweets, UK-based sports nutrition brand Applied Nutrition has launched the ‘Drumstick Original Raspberry’ flavor of its electrolyte and vitamin water Body FUEL.

Applied Nutrition says the Body FUEL brand has been a huge success for the company, selling six million units since its launch in December 2022.

Now available in seven flavours, including a signature Paddy Punch flavour variant endorsed by the UFC fighter Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett, Body FUEL has secured listings with several wholesalers and national retail since launch.

Applied Nutrition develops sports and active nutrition products from its manufacturing and distribution center in Liverpool and sells globally in more than 65 countries.

Over the last 12 months the company has opened its first international division in Dallas, Texas and seen several of its products gain listings in national UK convenience and grocery retail. It was also nominated as a finalist in The Grocer Gold Awards SME Brand of the Year category.

Body FUEL is one of several new products in the brand's healthy snacking and convenience range, including Protein Crunch, their HFSS-compliant protein bar, energy drinks and on-the-go functional foods.

New York hibiscus beverage brand Ruby has partnered with Public Records, a music and hospitality space in Brooklyn, to release a limited-edition, hibiscus-forward, non-alcoholic beverage.

The new drink is a play on sparkling Lambrusco called Grapes of Knowledge, and comes complete with custom artwork by Shane Davis, Co-founder and Creative Director of Public Records.

"Inspired by Lambrusco, the lightly sparkling, fruity, and juicy red wine, Grapes of Knowledge is made with real organic ingredients including organic Concord grape juice, bubbles, and of course, Ruby's star ingredient, hibiscus," says the brand, which was founded in 2020 with each functional sparkling hibiscus drink using the ‘super flower’ as its core ingredient.

"The teams collaborated to enhance Ruby's existing Concord Grape flavor by adding more grape juice and hibiscus to replicate the fruit-forward flavor and wonderful tartness of a sparkling Lambrusco without the alcohol. As evidenced by its design and name, Grapes of Knowledge speaks to the idea that staying healthy –– by means of functional hibiscus and no alcohol –– leads to greater mindfulness and enjoyment."

12-packs of Grapes of Knowledge are available for nationwide shipping via ruby.fun; while individual cans are sold on-site at Public Records (233 Butler St, Brooklyn, NY).

Sweden's Purity Distillery is adding Organic Craft Nordic Gin to its portfolio of vodkas and gins.

Drawing inspiration from the traditional London Dry style, Purity's new Craft Nordic Dry ‘maintains the integrity of a juniper-forward gin while pushing boundaries with a unique blend of juniper, thyme, basil, coriander, lingonberries, blueberries, lavender, cardamom and angelica to create a long-lasting, explosive flavor on the palate.’

Purity uses their 34 Edition vodka – the heart 34-times copper-surface distilled during 12 hours for extra purity, flavor and smoothness – as the base for its Craft Nordic Dry gin. The vodka is distilled very slowly with maximum copper surface contact, resulting in a smooth vodka that is the perfect base for a smooth and flavorful gin. The gin is then redistilled allowing the flavors from the botanicals to fully develop.

The Organic Craft Nordic Dry Gin retails for $29.99 in the US and is available to purchase online.

Country music singer Morgan Wallen and functional RTD tea brand Ryl Tea have collaborated to launch Ryl Sweet Tea.

"An antioxidant-rich, nothing artificial, zero sugar and low-calorie refreshment, Ryl Sweet Tea will shake up the summer beverage scene with a healthy alternative to the Southern classic," say the partners.

"Featuring a black tea base, this ready-to-drink refreshment is packed with 200mg of tea polyphenols for an antioxidant boost and is sweetened with Monk Fruit, Stevia Leaf Extract and Allulose, ensuring guilt-free pleasure in every sip.

"The product has been in development for six months, working closely alongside Wallen - an investor and ambassador for the New Jersey based company - to ensure it meets the highest standards of taste, health and authenticity."

Ryl Tea was launched in January: using its proprietary Ryl Polyphenol Technology to ensure every can has a consistent 200mg of tea polyphenols in it.

Colorado brewer Lone Tree Brewing has launched Ufloric: a hopped, hemp-infused, non-alcoholic enhanced water.

Ufloric is Lone Tree's response to customer curiosity about non-alcoholic options and the budding cannabis scene in Colorado. "I see it as a bridge between beer and cannabis," says Lone Tree Sales & Marketing Director Dennis Stack.

"We are enjoying a lot of NA beers and CBD beverages hitting the market right now, and we wanted to add breadth to what's already available.

"Made with hop and hemp oils, or terpenes, this refreshing new bubbly water has no ABV, no THC, and no CBD; but it does boast an earthy aroma reminiscent of fresh-cut grass, and crisp, clean hop and fruit flavors. It has a subtle calming effect that evokes feelings of euphoria for which it is named."

Ufloric is available in canned 12oz. 6-packs in three flavors: Naked, Citrus, and Berry, in Colorado stores and via the brewery.

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