Portland, Ore.-based organic kombucha and tea producer Brew Dr. says it expanded its popular Uplift yerba mate product line with a new Sweet Mint flavor.

If sales data are any indication, more consumers are saying goodbye to coffee filters, tea bags and the long wait to brew. According to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI, dollar sales within the shelf-stable ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and coffee category shot up 9.5% during the 52 weeks ending Aug. 8, 2021, to $7,647.5 million. Unit sales increased 3.0% to 3,044.1 million.  

Energy beverages had a rough year in 2012. The trouble started that April, when Illinois Senator Richard Durbin petitioned FDA to "take regulatory action and to address the rising health concerns around energy drinks."

Coffeehouses are satisfying the Millennial generation’s need for new taste experiences. Look to your neighborhood barista for ideas and then translate them into RTD beverages.

Chicago-based Argo Tea introduced new Teappuccino tea-based dairy beverages in select retailers this fall across the country.

Coffee and tea are the original functional beverages. They’re packed with antioxidants and other functional ingredients that serve to stimulate, relax or purify. Dairies formulate their own nondairy beverages and combine tea and coffee into dairy-based products.

 Dollar and unit sales for refrigerated coffee and tea are rising. Research indicates year-round demand for cold, ready-to-drink coffee beverages, especially by Millennials.