Non-Dairy Beverages

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Lavender Pond Farm, Killingworth, Conn., introduced small-batch gourmet lemonade infused with farm-fresh lavender and sweetened with organic raw honey.

The past year has brought good news to some nondairy beverage segments. For example, the cappuccino/iced coffee subcategory saw a 12.1% rise in dollar sales, reaching more than $2 billion, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm Information Resources Inc. (IRI) for the 52 weeks ending Aug. 13, 2017. Unit sales increased by 11.8% to 686.6 million.

As noted in the nondairy beverage article in our May issue, consumers are seeking functional and no-sugar-added options for beverages — and some juice segments are taking a hit in sales because of it. Sales are down in orange, apple and juice/drink smoothies segments, but ticking up in refrigerated lemonade, fruit drinks and vegetable juice blends.

Los Angeles-based Califia Farms launched Black Label Cold Brew, a new line of ready-to-drink, all black, cold brew coffees.

Numi Organic Tea, San Francisco, the organic and Fair Trade dry tea brand, introduced a line of ready-to-drink teas in five flavors.

Sunup Inc., New York, introduced a new ready-to-drink coffee — Sunup Green Coffee.

Pure Leaf, a product of The Pepsi Lipton Tea Partnership, Purchase N.Y., added mint and pomegranate flavors to its lineup of ready-to-drink iced teas.

As consumers demand more better-for-you products, experts note that the juice and juice drinks category has been challenged in a unique way and struggled to maintain its share of the beverage market.

Election 2016 will go down in history for plenty of reasons. But somewhat overlooked amidst the more sensational results were the decisions in San Francisco, Oakland and Albany, Calif., Boulder, Colo., and Cook County, Ill., to begin levying what have become known broadly as “soda” taxes.

Whether it’s an electrolyte-packed sports drink or a dose of caffeine from an energy drink, consumers really like their energy-boosting beverages. Sales for both sports drinks and energy drinks are jumping.