Low-Cal Cocktails

The Kraft Heinz Company, Chicago, took its powdered Crystal Light low-calorie drink brand into RTD cocktails with two flavors of Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers: Wild Strawberry and Lemonade. Both offer a 77-calorie, zero-sugar beverage with Crystal Light’s signature flavors, triple-filtered vodka, and light carbonation. Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers debuted this March at select Northeast retailers in a four-pack for $9.99.

“With tens of millions of social media videos showcasing creative ways to mix Crystal Light into cocktails, creating a delicious lower-calorie vodka refresher was a natural step for us,” said Jeremy Kross, director of beverage mixes at The Kraft Heinz Company. Photo credit: The Kraft Heinz Company

Carbonated Protein

DAS Labs LLC, Orem, Utah, said its Bucked Up lightly carbonated Protein Drinks were awarded "Best Innovation" at the 2025 Arnold Sports Festival. Each drink provides 25g of whey protein, 0g of sugar, and only 100 calories per can. Flavors include Banana Pineapple, Peach Mango, Orange Cream, and Rainbow Candy.

“Our new lightly carbonated, ready-to-drink Protein Drinks are a total game-changer –built for people who are serious about crushing their fitness goals but tired of heavy, chalky shakes,” said Ryan Gardner, Bucked Up CEO and co-founder. "This is protein with refreshing flavors, function and the Bucked Up edge—all in a convenient 16oz can.” Photo credit: Bucked Up

Say Ciao!

Nestlé USA, Arlington, Va., extended its Sanpellegrino Italian sparkling beverage brand with a new line of flavored sparkling waters. New Sanpellegrino CIAO! comes in four 11.5oz flavors including Peach, Blood Orange, Lime, and Cherry. Each features real fruit juices, “a pinch of Sicilian salt,” and contains 10 calories or less with 0g added sugars. Sanpellegrino CIAO! is now available at select retailers and will be popping up at retailers nationwide beginning April 2025, with a suggested retail price of $5.99 for a six-can pack.

"For more than 90 years, Sanpellegrino has been dedicated to crafting beverages that celebrate tradition and quality. With CIAO!, we bring the best of Italy into one can," said Sara Mayer, senior marketing manager at Sanpellegrino. Photo credit: S.Pellegrino

Protein + Collagen

Urban Remedy Inc., Point Richmond, Calif., introduced organic, high protein collagen meal replacement shakes. Officials said Urban Remedy's “trendsetting innovation is made possible with a first-to-market source of organic bovine collagen peptides from sustainably raised grass-fed cowhides.” Varieties include Chocolate (30g protein) and Vanilla (28g protein).

Both include 10g of organic collagen to support hair, skin, nail and joint health. Officials say the type 1 and type 3 collagen peptides are hydrolyzed for optimal absorption and provide 18 amino acids. There is 0g added sugar per bottle and drinks are naturally sweetened with date, plant-based stevia extract and monk fruit extract. Organic Protein Collagen Shakes are available in Urban Remedy's grab & go kiosks in Whole Foods Market, online on Whole Foods Market on Amazon and retail for $9.99 for a 16oz bottle. Photo credit: Urban Remedy

Sunshine You Can Taste

National Beverage Corp., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. extended its namesake sparkling water line with new LaCroix Sunshine.

“What does Sunshine mean to you? LaCroix set out to capture the warmth, joy and sparkle of a ray of sunshine—and put it in a can!” the company said. National Beverage describes the flavor as a “sparkling blend of citrus and tropical zest.” Photo credit: LaCroix

Clear Protein

Protein snacks maker Genius Gourmet, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, branched into beverages with three new Genius Gourmet Clear Protein Drinks: Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, and Orange. Officials said it as a “sparkling clear whey protein isolate drink that drinks more like a refreshing soda than a thick protein shake.” Each ready-to-drink, 12oz can boasts 20g of protein, 1g of carbs, 0g of sugar, 0g of lactose, and no artificial preservatives or artificial colors.

“The way consumers want to consume protein is constantly evolving,” said Pete Vas Dias, president of Genius Gourmet. “As innovators, we wanted to reimagine what functional protein looks like beyond shake-type protein drinks. Most importantly, we wanted to craft a beverage that’s accessible for everyone, whether you’re a serious athlete or a parent looking for healthier options.” Phot credit: Genius Gourmet

Simpler Soda

Spindrift Beverage Co., Inc., Newton, Mass., took its namesake water brand in a new direction with Spindrift SODA. Each variety contains fewer than 8g of naturally occurring sugar from fruit (compared to more than 35g of added sugar in traditional offerings). Five flavors include Concord Freeze, Ginger Ale, Orange Cream Float, Shirley Temple, and Strawberry Shortcake and each contains 20% not-from-concentrate juice for natural flavor and sweetness.

“Spindrift has changed the sparkling water aisle, and we're ready to do it again in the modern soda aisle,” said Dave Burwick, Spindrift CEO. "This is exactly what made me so excited to join the company, diving head-first into category-defying products that challenge consumer expectations and reward them with exceptional taste and quality ingredients." Photo credit: Spindrift

More Protein!

Koia, Los Angeles, extended its plant-based protein shake line with new Koia Elite, its highest protein offering with 32g of complete plant protein per serving. It debuted in Whole Foods Markets nationwide in 12oz bottles in Vanilla and Chocolate flavors. "With Koia Elite, we've raised the bar by going dairy-free, replacing seed oils with avocado oil—making us the first and only brand to do so—and eliminating artificial flavors, sucralose, and carrageenan," said CEO Chris Hunter.

Officials note Koia Elite features avocado oil and no seed oils. Each bottle contains only 4g of organic cane sugar and 6g of prebiotic fiber. Koia says Koia Elite will later roll out in a shelf-stable format for eCommerce and convenience channels, including 7-Eleven, in early 2025. Photo credit: Koia

Classic Brand Back—But Better

After purchasing PepsiCo’s former Slice brand last May, functional wellness company Suja Life LLC, Oceanside, Calif., reformulated and relaunched Slice Healthy Soda this January as a six-item, better-for-you line. Officials said the “nostalgic and boldly carbonated” offering contains just 5g of sugar (or less), no high fructose corn syrup and a trademarked “Gutsy Blend” of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics.

Orange, Lemon Lime, Classic Cola and Grapefruit Spritz varieties debuted at select Costco, Albertson's, and select HEB locations nationwide. A Strawberry flavor launched at select Target locations and Grape at all Albertson's divisions.

“We're thrilled to usher in a new era for Slice, bringing this beloved brand back with a modern and exciting twist," said Maria Stipp, Suja Life CEO. "… While we know not everyone is reaching for a wellness shot, soda is a staple in nearly every American's refrigerator. By transforming this everyday beverage into a leveled-up version with benefits, we're making a significant impact on the health and well-being of our consumers." Photo credit: Slice Soda