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The Weekly Sip is Food Dive’s column focused on breaking news in the fast-changing and growing beverage sector. From first product lines to big investments and controversial topics, this column aims to quench your thirst for developments in the category.
Krispy Kreme Goes to Dr. Pepper
Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Dr Pepper to launch a new doughnut, and the CPG brand is hoping it'll resonate with consumers.
The North Carolina-based confectionery company is launching the Dr Pepper Kickoff Doughnut, an original glazed donut covered in Dr Pepper-flavored frosting. The treat also features a burgundy sprinkle blend and a white chocolate Dr Pepper logo.
The donuts are available for a limited time at Krispy Kreme stores across the United States.
“Two of America’s favorite flavors combine into one incredible game-day sensation to kick off the sweetest football season ever,” Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme’s global chief brand officer, said in a statement. “This Dr Pepper collection is a must-add to your game-day lineup, no matter who you’re rooting for.”
Once a distant drink in the soda wars, Keurig-owned Dr Pepper has jumped to second place this summer. The 139-year-old soda brand’s rise behind Coca-Cola is the result of clever marketing, creative flavors and a distribution model.
“Consumers perceive Dr Pepper as having a more promising future, as being better at keeping up with the latest trends, and importantly, as being more unique and different than Pepsi,” Lynn Field, FutureBrand’s chief strategy officer, told Marketing Dive this summer.
Donuts are unlikely to be Dr Pepper’s main source of revenue, but partnering with Krispy Kreme is a new and innovative way for the popular soda to continue its mission of offering something different to consumers. That’s especially important as consumers cut back on spending due to inflation and try to cut back on sugar due to health concerns.
— Christopher Dohring
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Provided by Flow Hydration
The flow changes from a still state to a bubble state containing carbonation.
Mineral water brand Flow is expanding its product portfolio with the launch of a new sparkling water range.
Flow Sparkling Mineral Spring Water will be available in Original varieties along with Blackberry + Hibiscus, Lemon + Ginger, and Cucumber + Mint flavors.
“This launch represents the next step in our evolution, strengthening our product portfolio with sustainable, innovative products that meet the growing demand for premium, healthy beverages,” Nicholas Reichenbach, Flow’s founder and CEO, said in a statement.
The brand said the product will launch first in Canada in October, with a U.S. launch coming in the coming months.
Flow has announced that its sparkling water will be sold in bottles made of 70% recyclable aluminum, which is 30% less aluminum than conventional bottles, emphasizing sustainable packaging.
Founded in 2015, Flow has been working to expand its reach over the past four years following a $45 million funding round in 2020. Sourced from natural springs, the brand sells purified water in Tetra Pak paper bottles.
Flow’s sparkling water joins a crowded category that already has significant market share from brands like La Croix, Polar, and Coca-Cola’s Topo Chico. According to Fortune Business Insights, the carbonated soft drink market is expected to grow to $108 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.37%.
— Chris Casey
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With today's favor
THC Beverage Brand Launches Low-Dosage Cocktails
These days, companies that make cannabis-infused drinks are expanding their product portfolios by entering the large and growing ready-to-drink canned cocktail segment.
The brand is introducing a THC canned cocktail containing 5 milligrams of THC extracted from cannabis, designed for consumers looking for a lower dose of the drug. In a press release today, the drink is described as “a sip or sniff for any occasion, providing an elevated, controlled buzz.”
The drinks are available in four flavors: Original, Spicy Lime, Citrus, and Berry. They are 0 proof, contain less than 25 calories and 4 grams of sugar per can.
Justin Tidwell, CEO and co-founder of Today, said expanding into canned cocktails was a natural next step for the brand.
“Our bottled spirits have been incredibly successful, and we wanted to take everything consumers love today and create a canned version that offers a premium ready-to-drink experience. This innovation allows us to reach more people and continue to grow the brand,” Tidwell said.
The brand says the product can be shipped to more than 40 states and will soon be available at select liquor stores and grocery stores.
While cannabis beverages are not yet federally regulated, brands in the space continue to expand their product lines by selling directly to consumers in states where it is legal. This includes big names in the cannabis space, like Curaleaf, which sells sparkling cannabis beverages, and soft drink makers like Jones Soda, which sells THC-infused Mary Jones soda.
— Chris Casey
