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The Leftovers is a look at some of the product ideas that are popping up everywhere. Some are interesting, some sound amazing, and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We couldn’t write everything we suggested, so here are some leftover items from our inbox:
Liquid IV’s latest innovation is a big deal.
Liquid IV is helping consumers who are in a pickle due to lack of water.
Electrolyte Mix launches Grillo’s Pickles beverage powder. Each stick has a tangy deli pickle flavor with hints of cucumber, vinegar, dill and a hint of sweetness.
Liquid IV owner Unilever said the Grillos product began as a social media tease in 2024 before growing into a viral April Fool’s Day joke a year later. The post garnered a lot of attention, and many fans asked the company to make the prank a reality.
“The passion of our community sparked this idea, and the talent of our innovation team made it a reality,” said Sai Chaluvadi, Chief R&D Officer at Liquid IV. “We were able to perfectly capture the iconic, refreshing taste of Grillo’s Pickle… The result is a true replica of the real product while delivering the superior hydration that consumers expect and love.”
Grillo’s, which traces its roots to wooden food carts in Boston 20 years ago, has surged in popularity through limited-time collaborations and consumer interest in its tangy dill flavor.
Previously, Grillo’s has partnered with Campbell’s V8 brand for a ready-to-drink non-alcoholic Bloody Mary cocktail mix, Pickle de Gallo Schmear with New York City’s PopUp Bagels, and sparkling water flavors with Two Robbers. The brand has also appeared in pickle-flavored beer and toothpaste.
Pickles have emerged as one of the most popular flavors in food.
Innova said in April 2025 that nearly two-thirds of global consumers had expressed positive feelings about pickles across social media and online platforms in the previous year. Younger millennials and baby boomers were particularly engaged with pickle-flavored foods, “drawn to the bold, tangy and crunchy profiles these products bring to the table,” the data firm added.
— Christopher Doering
Mike’s Hard Lemonade got dirty.
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Provided by Mike’s Hard Lemonade
Mike’s Hard Lemonade is capitalizing on the dirty soda trend with a new launch that marks the next chapter for the brand.
Mike’s Dirty Lemonade expands the brand’s original hard lemonade offering with four new flavors. This product is available in variety packs of 12 and single-serve 24-ounce cans.
Flavors include Dirty Lemon Secret, with a hot honey flavor, and Dark Cherry Brew, with cherry spice and a cola-like finish. Additionally, Pineapple Haze, which has a pineapple and coconut scent, and Very Berry Grape, which features various berry flavors such as grape and lemon, will also be released.
Mike’s Hard Lemonade positions the lineup as the start of the next chapter for the brand, which celebrates its 27th anniversary this year.
“This is a critical change for Mike’s,” Kevin Brady, vice president of marketing for Mike’s Hard Lemonade, said in a statement. “We are approaching the market with more clarity, more confidence and greater ambition for what Mike can be: a brand with greater relevance and stronger momentum.”
Mike’s Hard Lemonade is changing the dirty soda narrative with a beverage traditionally associated with non-alcoholic beverages. The drink has grown in popularity over the past few years and typically includes creamer or fruit puree combined with soda.
The company said the launch is part of its ‘Made with Real Character’ platform targeting Gen Z men. Focusing on targeting young men can help the brand develop a niche in the ready-to-drink cocktail space.
—Laurel Deppen
Please PBR as soon as possible
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Provided by Smithfield Foods
Pabst Blue Ribbon is turning up the heat with their beer-fueled brats.
The beer brand has partnered with Smithfield Foods for a limited-edition brat this summer. The meat is made from pork and infused with PBR, providing a “nostalgic American twist on a summer staple” perfect for backyard barbecues, tailgates and casual gatherings.
“Beer and tots have always belonged together, and we’ve teamed up with Smithfield to get a very good tot right,” Katherine Mata, director of cultural marketing at Pabst Brewing Company, said in a statement. “It’s an easy win for anyone who believes grilling should be accompanied by a cold beer.”
Brats with Beer bring heat, smokiness and rich flavor to the grill as part of a larger summer lineup that also includes Jalapeño & Cheddar and Chipotle & Cheddar varieties. The sausages are available at major retailers including Walmart, Kroger, and Publix.
Meat has become a popular vehicle for beverage brands to expand their reach, especially as unusual collaborations and flavor combinations drive new purchases among younger consumers.
Earlier this year, Dr Pepper partnered with Johnsonville to launch sausages ‘inspired’ by the soda giant’s original 23-flavor blend. Johnsonville previously joined fellow Wisconsin company Leinenkugel’s on the Summer Shandy Beer Brat.
— Christopher Doering
