Today’s performance beverages have evolved beyond providing energy, but also are supporting broader health and wellness goals.

Uncle Nearest Inc., the makers of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, announced the arrival of Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey. 

Bruichladdich Distillery announced the release of its next Octomore series: Octomore 15. 

Wynk, an award-winning cannabis seltzer, announced the launch of its newest limited-edition flavor: Cran-Blood Orange.

Fireball, a brand of Sazerac Co., Louisville, Ky., is set to gallop into this year's classic horse racing events with bespoke, fiery hats dubbed “Hot Lids,” bringing a dash of cinnamon spice to the typical race day experience.

From offering consumer insights, enhancing product development to supply chain optimization, experts weigh in on how AI solutions are transforming the beverage industry. 

The Arizona Bowl, which brings together teams from the Mountain West Conference and Mid-American Conference each year, announced a multi-year sponsorship deal, titling the event the “Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Presented by Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop,” to air at 2:30pm MST on Dec. 28. 

On the heels of Kathy Hilton’s musical debut in SMASH TEA PARTAY: A Smirnoff ICE Musical, the reality TV star and Smirnoff ICE are back to spill the tea on the brand’s latest flavor offerings of Smirnoff ICE SMASH Tea.

Malibu, a brand of Pernod Ricard, New York, unveiled its new summer campaign in partnership with TV personality Paige DeSorbo to bring the vacation anytime, anywhere. 

Idris Elba has revealed his latest track, the sky-high summer anthem '”Pushing On” to mark the launch of GREY GOOSE Altius, the new luxury vodka inspired by the rare natural luxuries of the French Alps.

Piper-Heidsieck, Reims, France, announces the launch of its Twist the Script campaign, a tribute to the brand’s creativity and history, it says.

With its complex formulas helping consumers further their pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, the functional beverage market has thrived. Detox drinks have benefited from this interest, but is not without its challenges.

Jones Soda Co., Seattle, announced the launch of Mary Jones Hemp Delta-9 (HD-9) Shooters. The new product joins the brand's HD-9 craft sodas and gummies, featuring the same pure cane sugar formulation and classic taste of Jones Soda, adapted for HD-9.

Launched in 2020, Chlorophyll Water provides more than just hydration. The water is loaded with chlorophyll and vitamins, supplying plenty of potential health benefits while valuing sustainability.

This year’s State of the Industry report on dairy drinks and alternatives notes that total milk, comprised of dairy, plant and all other milks, looks to stabilize volume declines.

Health-Ade announced two new kombucha flavors joining its lineup of gut-healthy offerings: Orange Creamsicle and Pomegranate Blueberry.

The Los Angeles-based THC beverage brand Nowadays offers alternatives to alcohol with similar buzz.

Shifts of consumption preferences from consumers in terms of dairy and dairy alternatives beverages, impact performance of category.

Lifeway Foods Inc., a leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products, announced the release of 10 new innovative flavors to its on-the-go 8-ounce line of organic kefir. 

In beverage warehouses, the rise of automation has prompted conveyor manufacturers to continue to make advancements to ensure that the speed and pace are in sync and processes are running efficiently.

Manufacturer of both pre-engineered standard and custom-designed conveyor solutions Multi-Conveyor recently built a new series of conveyor technologies.

High-brightness LED lights designer and manufacturer Smart Vision Lights recently revealed the RHI200-DO Lightgistics series light.

The demands of today’s global markets are rigorous.

Pioneer in conveyor technology Dorner recently revealed DualMove, a new pallet system conveyor. 

As operational complexity increases in today’s beverage warehouses, experts highlight how voice picking and guided work solutions are helping to achieve goals in fast-paced environments.

The Finnish Long Drink released its new Midnight Sun Variety Pack. Inspired by the natural phenomenon occurring in northern Finland during the summer, where the sun never sets below the horizon for up to four months and remains visible at midnight, this pack showcases flavors that reflect the hues of the Finnish Midnight Sun. 

Teeling Whiskey and Notre Dame Athletics have collaborated on a special, limited-edition bottle featuring Teeling’s Small Batch whiskey.

Hennessy announced new designs for the packaging for Hennessy Very Special (V.S). The updates, which represent the greatest evolution to the V.S packaging in a decade, the company says.

Gnarly Head wines and the Grateful Dead announced three new limited-release wine offerings packaged in eye-catching bottles that rock two of the band’s most beloved icons in shimmering holographic labels, the company says.

The Busker Irish Whiskey unveiled its new premium bottle designs for its Single Collection: Single Malt, Single Grain, and Single Pot Still. These new designs now are available and highlight the quality of The Busker's highly-awarded whiskey single expressions, the company says. 

Liquid Remedy announced a brand enhancement in its United States market, which includes updating its name, logo and packaging from Remedy Drinks to Liquid Remedy. 

On The Rocks Premium Cocktails unveiled its latest offering: the Spiced Pear Whiskey Sour, a limited-edition cocktail now available in select markets nationwide.

Now, after five years on the market, Tip Top’s portfolio has grown, now with 16 offerings. Its most recent offering is the Whiskey Sour, which launched earlier this month.

Lifeway Foods Inc., Morton Grove, Ill., announced that its Board of Directors has rejected the unsolicited proposal made Sept. 23, by Danone North America PBC to acquire all the shares of Lifeway that it does not already own for $25 a share.

The increasing interest in functional beverages often focuses on the attributes these ingredients can provide consumers. However, as these beverages and ingredients proliferate, the colors market is playing a vital role in supporting this trend.

Campbell’s V8 and Grillo's Pickles joined forces to create a fresh take on the classic Bloody Mary cocktail with the launch of V8 Grillo’s Dill Pickle Bloody Mary Mix.

SupplySide West and Food ingredients North America (FiNA), produced by Informa Markets, celebrated its 25th anniversary. More than 1,100 exhibitors and 15,850 registered attendees gathered Oct. 31-Nov. 4 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas to focus on what’s next in the industry.

BENEO, a functional ingredient manufacturer, has increased global capacity for its prebiotic chicory root fibers by 30%, while also reducing specific energy consumption by 35%.

Ingredient companies continue to advance operations with new product launches, facility expansions, as well as a diversified workforces. 

The company notes that these functional beverages provide both energy and the “added benefit of mental focus.” The 12-ounce servings contain 100 mg of natural caffeine, as well as 100 mg of natural L-theanine.

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.

The regulatory approval marks a milestone in Sweegen opening new markets in countries where brands seek new generation stevia ingredients, the company says.

Ingredient companies announce coalitions, new hires and new ingredient solutions to support sugar reduction efforts.

With this acquisition, it is expected that Brenntag’s product portfolio in Life Sciences, especially in Nutrition, will be complemented and expanded. 

Ingredient companies announced new hires as well as case studies detailing consumer trends influencing new product development.

SupplySide West, which took place Oct. 25-26 in Las Vegas, hosted more than 1,400 exhibitors, up 27% from 2022. Exhibitors showcased the latest developments in ingredients, formulation, manufacturing and packaging covering categories including dietary supplements, food, beverage, personal care and animal nutrition.

Kyowa Hakko Bio President and CEO Yuki Kanzaki underscored the pivotal role of Cognizin in the company’s future success. 

To give innovators a leg up on the competition, ingredient suppliers are expanding their services as well as product lines for beverage development.

Glanbia Nutritionals, Chicago, introduced OptiATP, a new optimized form of Adenosine 5-Triphosphate that is stable in low pH/high acid and high heat ready-to-drink beverage processing environments.

Ingredient suppliers are sharing the latest on safety opinions as well as announcing platform expansions and division sales.