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Weekly Sip is Food Dive’s column focusing on the latest news from the fast-changing and growing beverage sector. From the first product lines to major investments and controversial topics, this column aims to quench your thirst for development in the category.
Danone launches child-friendly plant-based milk
Danone is offering plant-based milk to children.
The company’s Silk line launches Silk Kids, the brand’s first plant-based beverage for children. Danone says Silk Kids, made with an oat milk blend designed for ages 5 and up, was developed with pediatricians to provide enhanced nutritional benefits.
Silk Kids contains at least 10% more of the daily value of protein, vitamin D, potassium, riboflavin, phosphorus, iodine and choline than Silk Original Almond Milk.
“Providing both taste and nutrition is essential, especially when nourishing children, which is why we developed Silk Kids,” said Kristie Leigh, registered dietitian and director of nutrition and science at Danone North America. “Mealtime shouldn’t be a struggle, so make sure your kids are getting the targeted nutrients they need in a plant-based beverage they’ll love.”
Silk Kids will be available in 59-ounce boxes on select shelves this fall, with a larger rollout nationwide starting in early 2025.
The difficulty parents have in finding a plant-based milk they like has to do with their own preferences. A survey conducted by ingredients provider Ofi last year found that a third of consumers said they were unable to find plant-based dairy products they liked.
Plant-based dairy options remain popular, with 64% of those surveyed buying at least one each week and nearly two-thirds purchasing it along with regular dairy products. Health and nutrition were cited as the most important factors when deciding what to buy.
—Christopher Doering
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Christopher Doering/Food Dive
Celsius anticipates sales growth ahead of joint packer purchase
Energy drink brand Celsius Holdings is confident in its ability to secure further growth through manufacturing investments after a strong quarter.
The company said in its earnings call Wednesday that retail sales rose 7.1% year-over-year in its most recent quarter. This comes despite a softer purchasing environment for the overall energy drink category last year, which increased by 2%.
Last week, the company announced it had spent $75 million to acquire longtime co-packaging partner Big Beverages Contract Manufacturing. CEO John Fieldy said on the earnings call that the acquisition will help the company gain additional leverage in the energy drinks segment by enabling it to leverage its supply chain to create and launch new products.
“In this case, the opportunity to vertically integrate, leverage the business a little bit and have LTO and optionality on innovation and R&D was worth it,” Fieldy told investors.
Celsius has been gaining prominence in recent years thanks to its healthier ingredients than other ingredients, including no sugar or aspartame. Last year, the company’s annual sales exceeded $1.3 billion. Fieldy told Food Dive earlier this year that the company is potentially interested in expanding into other categories, such as water or food, in the future.
—Chris Casey
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Served by XXI Martini
XXI Martini presents Christmas cocktails.
The Espresso Martini has emerged as one of the most popular cocktails in bars and restaurants in recent years. One brand believes it can dominate the bottled beverage market.
XXI Martinis, the espresso Martini brand that debuted in 2022, announced this week that it has expanded its reach to 36 states by selling the drink online. They also introduced a limited-time flavor, Chocolate Peppermint Martini, and miniature bottles ahead of the holiday season.
Angelo Bottley, renowned Las Vegas bartender and co-founder of XXI, said in a statement that the brand is focused on creating bottled versions of complex espresso martinis that people in bars and at home can enjoy more easily and with less hassle. .
“There are alternatives to the usual hostess wine gift, and your holiday gatherings don’t have to be suffocated by messy, time-consuming cocktails. XXI Martinis Chocolate Peppermint Martini is beautifully bottled, a dessert-like martini with a seasonal twist that delivers the joy and festivity of liquid and a perfect pour every time,” said Bottley.
A bottle of this brand sells for $34.99, provides approximately six espresso martinis, and has an alcohol content of 15%. XXI also sells chocolate, raspberry, and peach martini flavors.
Espresso Martini is gaining ground in the ready-to-drink category as more consumers choose cocktails they can easily enjoy at home. Canned cocktail brand MOTH sells canned Espresso Martini, which was first introduced in the United States last August.
—Chris Casey
