Sparkling Ice®, part of the Talking Rain® Beverage Company portfolio, shared two major announcements at the National Association of Convenience Stores Show (NACS). In addition to the debut of the brand's newest flavor, Grape Raspberry, Sparkling Ice announced a Spanish-label retail expansion into all 7-Eleven® store locations in Mexico. The Mexico expansion follows an impressive international growth period for the brand, which recently launched in the UK and Ireland.
The sixteenth flavor to join the Sparkling Ice base brand portfolio, Grape Raspberry was developed in direct response to consumer demand. Following a social media vote in 2015, in which Black Cherry was voted the fan favorite, fans of Grape Raspberry continued to express their desire for a grape flavored Sparkling Ice. Balanced with just the right amount of fizz, Sparkling Ice Grape Raspberry will be available in Kroger stores starting in early October 2016, and at retailers nationwide starting in January 2017.
Sparkling Ice Grape Raspberry will be featured alongside Sparkling Ice Essence of and Sparkling Ice Tea Half and Half in the Cool New Products Showcase at NACS. The newest flavors will also be sampled at the Sparkling Ice booth. Sparkling Ice Essence of Water is the brand's newest zero-calorie collection, which is free of sweeteners, artificial colors and preservatives.
In addition to the new flavor unveiling, Sparkling Ice announced that the brand will be added to all 1,976 7-Eleven retail locations in Mexico. Starting in October 2016, 7-Eleven will begin to roll out a variety of Sparkling Ice flavors with new Spanish-language labeling, including Black Raspberry, Orange Mango, Kiwi Strawberry and Strawberry Watermelon.