Coca-Cola has expanded its range of beverages in the US with the launch of non-carbonated Aguas Frescas.
Sold through its Barrilitos brand, the new line will be available in restaurants and foodservice outlets in seven flavours: pineapple, strawberry hibiscus, mango lime, pear cucumber, watermelon, horchata, and tamarind.
Aguas Frescas, or ‘fresh waters’, are fruit, seed, flower and water-based drink combinations with roots in Mexico and Central America.
Barrilitos first launched as a bottled sparking soft drink in Monterrey in 1938, and in 2008 it became part of the Coca-Cola Company. This line of Aguas Frescas is the brand’s first launch since joining Coke.
Mike Hagen, group director of category strategy and innovation at Coca-Cola, said: “From a national category point of view, no company has defined authentic Aguas Frescas yet, so we are leading the way.”
Melinda Pritchett, senior manager, category strategy and innovation, Coca-Cola North America, said: “It’s an exciting time here in North America for our company, customers and consumers. Our team has had an opportunity to innovate in a unique space over the past year.
“We’ve joined a new category, built a new Barrilitos brand visual identity and crafted new products from scratch. We want to evolve our choices for consumers and offer new things that people didn’t even know existed.”
Containing 3-5% juice, each of the Aguas Frescas flavours is caffeine and gluten free. The product is available in two formats: bag in the box and frozen concentrates.
Coca-Cola said it may look to expand the line with ready-to-drink options in the future.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024