Calorie-free and naturally sweetened soda brand Zevia has significantly expanded its beverage portfolio with the addition of two new product lines.
Its new energy drinks and sparkling waters will complement the brand’s 90% share of the US’ natural, zero-calorie soda market – and represents a marked diversification for the company, which until now had only made soda. Reducing sugar is one of the largest dietary shifts occurring in the US, Zevia said, and familiar beverage categories such as energy drinks and sparkling water are an easy place to start. Both product lines present an opportunity for the company to offer new beverage alternatives as consumers around the world become increasingly aware of the health risks associated with excess sugar consumption.
“We all love the boost we get from caffeine, but current energy drinks on the market are loaded with either sugar or artificial sweeteners, as well as a bunch of exotic supplements,” said Paddy Spence, CEO of Zevia. “We created a line with zero calories, 120mg of caffeine from coffee extract, sweetened with stevia, and no additional supplementation. It’s a better-for-you option in a category that has not been known for healthy ingredients.
“Flavored sparkling water has become very popular, but for many of us, these unsweetened products just don’t deliver from a taste perspective. A little sweetness, from stevia, along with zero calories, no sugar, and Non-GMO Project Verified flavors, makes sparkling water come to life.”
Zevia energy will feature single-serve 12oz slim cans with 120mg of natural caffeine, with a suggested retail price of $1.99 per can. It will be available in three flavours: mango-ginger, raspberry-lime and grapefruit. Zevia sparkling water, to be sold in eight packs with a suggested retail price of $5.99, will include four flavours: lime, blackberry, cucumber-lemon and Mandarin orange. Both lines are non-GMO project verified, free from calories and sweetened naturally with stevia.
They will be available in the US from retailers such as Sprouts Farmers Markets and online through Amazon.
“Our experience building the first mainstream, zero-calorie, naturally sweetened soda brand has been that consumers are looking for better-for-you versions across the beverage category,” said Spence. “We’re looking to address obvious consumer needs as we expand natural diet beverage options – energy with clean ingredients and flavoured sparkling water with a bit of sweetness were a good next step.”
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