New drinks review: energy drinks toast their popularity

In this month's rundown of the latest innovations from the drinks industry, energy drinks are once again venturing into new territory, this time forging an unlikely alliance with champagne in a recent launch in Germany. Meanwhile, a drink powder that claims to be able to absorb alcohol has hit shelves, while bag-in-boxes are looking to the world of high fashion to reinforce upscale positioning.

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New drinks review: probiotics give beer a functional boost

The diversification of beer into functional territory leads this month's roundup of the latest innovations from the drinks industry, with an alcohol free beer that promotes health debuting in Germany. Also looking to draw in health-conscious consumers is a novel melding of coconut water and ready-to-drink coffee, while flowers and vegetables are being used to create unusual smoothie combinations.

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New drinks review: canned drinks go healthy with vegetable innovations

Unusual vegetable-based drinks are the highlight of this month's roundup of innovative product launches from the drinks industry, as canned tomato and zucchini drinks hit the shelves. In other news, drinking chocolate is a focus of innovation, with two novel formulations, while concerns about pack security and hygiene have extended to energy drinks with the launch of a new lidded can design.

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New drinks review: QR branding sees wine embrace the smartphone era

The emergence of QR codes in line with growing consumer take-up of smartphone technology is offering diverse marketing and branding opportunities to consumer goods companies, as evidenced by the sparkling wine launch that headlines this month's rundown of drinks innovations. Meanwhile, new flavors are emerging in the gin segment and novel formats are being explored for liqueurs and bottled water.

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PLA Innovation of the Week: a sparkling wine that changes its appearance when shaken

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New drinks review: whisky and rum get on-the-go appeal

The decline in on-trade alcohol consumption and the growing influence of the off-trade market are leading manufacturers to cater for an ever more diverse range of drinking occasions, as illustrated by two new convenience formats in the spirits market. A hot chocolate drink with enhanced relaxation attributes is another launch to feature in this month's roundup of drinks industry innovations.

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New drinks review: concentration is the key for tea

Headlining this month's rundown of the latest product introductions in the drinks industry is a syrup that is hoping to give tea added flexibility. In other launches, the salt caramel flavor is branching out, a Spanish wine is taking the process of enology down to the molecular level, and vodka is innovating in the flavor and packaging stakes.

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New drinks review: soft drink helps smokers get their fix

Aiming to encapsulate the experience of smoking in a bottle, a new tobacco-based beverage heads this month's summary of the most recent innovative launches from the drinks industry. In other news, a novel extract has made its debut in Russia, while in the Philippines the coconut fruit has inspired unusual packaging.

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New drinks review: juices get roughage treatment

An attempt to reposition fruit juice as a truly natural, healthy product heads up this month's rundown of the latest novel launches in the drinks market, with a beverage that seeks to capture the nutritional benefits of whole fruit. Also featured are several unique flavor combinations and new packaging developments that suggest the sector is keener than ever to innovate.

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New drinks review: Amazonian 'superherb' hits the market

The Amazon continues to be a source of new functional 'super' ingredients, as demonstrated by the recent launch of a tea made from the high caffeine, medicinal plant guayusa. Guayusa is just the latest in a line of Amazonian plants, from goji to guarana and acai, which are being appropriated by manufacturers to give their products an edge in the exotic and nutritional stakes.

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