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The Beverage Buzz is our weekly column covering the latest developments in the ever-evolving world of drinks. From exciting product launches to major investments and controversial topics, this column is your go-to source for staying informed on the beverage industry.
Red Hot Chili Peppers Frontman Dives into Coffee Business
The coffee market welcomes a new player in the form of a famous rockstar, targeting a loyal following through sales at live music venues.
Lead vocalist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anthony Kiedis, along with friend Shane Powers, have launched Jolene, a ready-to-drink coffee brand. The brand will initially offer two varieties: black cold brew and white oat milk latte in canned form.
Investors backing the brand include Live Nation, Global Brand Equities, and the H.Wood Group. These beverages will be available at Live Nation’s theaters in 23 states as well as music festivals. Russell Wallach, global president of Live Nation, stated that the products cater to the increasing demand for cold brew at concerts, aligning with the high energy of live music events.
Jolene emphasizes its sourcing approach by procuring coffee beans from an all-female co-op in Peru.
“Shane and I brainstormed ideas, and when I suggested coffee, he immediately agreed,” Kiedis mentioned in a press release. “And so began our journey to elevate canned coffee to a premium level.”
In addition to concert venues, Jolene’s coffee products are also available on the brand’s website.
Celebrities have been exploring ventures in the beverage industry as a way to diversify their portfolios and enhance their brand presence beyond entertainment. For instance, actor Robert Downey Jr. introduced Happy, a line of coffee in both ground and ready-to-drink formats, last year.
Crystal Geyser Dives into Sparkling Water Market
Crystal Geyser aims to leverage its success in the bottled water segment by entering the sparkling water category with a new line of sparkling water.
CG Roxane, the parent company of the brand, has unveiled Crystal Geyser Sparkling Alpine Spring Water, available in five flavors: natural, cherry, lime, orange, and lemon.
In a statement, Charlotte de La Porte, VP of marketing at CG Roxane, highlighted that the sparkling water is designed to meet the changing preferences of existing customers and attract new consumers seeking natural and high-quality beverage options.
The sparkling water is made using spring water sourced from the company’s facility in the New Hampshire mountains. The brand also emphasizes the sustainability of its packaging, which is crafted using 50% recycled PET plastic.
While the sparkling water category remains a popular alternative to sugary sodas, it has experienced a slowdown in recent years. According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, volumes of sparkling water declined by 4.9% in 2022 and by 3% in 2023.
New entrants in the market have struggled to compete with established brands like La Croix and Polar, with Coca-Cola discontinuing its Aha sparkling water line in 2023 due to poor sales.
Crystal Geyser’s sparkling water, however, could benefit from its widespread reach. The brand claims that its flagship still water is the leading domestically distributed bottled spring water in the U.S., based on Circana data.
Campari Introduces Non-Alcoholic Spritz for Summer
Campari America, the owner of Aperol, is seizing the opportunity presented by the rising demand for spritz cocktails and non-alcoholic options as the temperature heats up.
The company has launched Crodino, a non-alcoholic sparkling cocktail that originated in Italy in 1965. The drink boasts a distinctive bittersweet and bubbly flavor, featuring a blend of clove, cardamom, nutmeg, coriander, and other spices and herbs.
Crodino is packaged in 5.95 fluid-ounce glass bottles in a four-pack format. It will debut in select states such as California, Texas, Illinois, and Maryland before expanding to additional markets.
“We have been thrilled by the enthusiastic response from consumers and our hospitality partners to iconic Italian brands creating lively social experiences centered around the Spritz,” noted Allison Varone, Campari America’s head of marketing, in a statement.
The launch of Crodino aligns with the growing trend of alcohol-free beverages, with IWSR data cited in the press release projecting the category to reach $5 billion by 2028.