Culture Pop Soda taps fall demand with limited-edition Sparkling Apple

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US beverage brand Culture Pop Soda is expanding its seasonal offering with the launch of Limited-Edition Sparkling Apple, a fall-inspired soda combining apple juice with live probiotics.

Available from 8 September, the new flavour is designed to deliver a crisp apple and sparkling cider-inspired taste without refined sugar, stevia or artificial and high-intensity sweeteners.

Sparkling Apple is made with a blend of apple juices from concentrate and follows Culture Pop's existing approach of using simple ingredients, organic fruit juice from concentrate, organic herbs and spices and live probiotics.

The company said the new variety is intended to offer a less-sweet alternative to traditional apple-flavoured soft drinks, with the flavour profile positioned between fresh apple and sparkling cider.

Tom First, founder and CEO of Culture Pop Soda, said: "We wanted to make a fall flavour the Culture Pop way. It's somewhere between a crisp apple and a sparkling cider: refreshing, not too sweet and full of apple flavour."

The limited-edition launch is supported by Culture Pop's 'Refreshingly Crisp' autumn campaign, which aims to associate the brand with seasonal occasions while reinforcing its focus on less-sweet soft drinks.

Sparkling Apple is packaged in a gold can designed to give the seasonal product a distinctive presence on shelf.

The launch also builds on First's previous experience in the soft drinks sector. He co-founded Nantucket Nectars, with Culture Pop drawing inspiration from familiar fruit-led flavour profiles.

The brand's wider portfolio is made with organic fruit juice from concentrate, organic herbs and spices and live probiotics. Its products are Whole30 Approved, certified non-GMO, gluten-free, plant-based, shelf-stable and kosher.

Sparkling Apple is available for nationwide shipping through Culture Pop's website and Amazon, alongside a retail rollout across chains including Albertsons, Wegmans, Giant Food, H-E-B, Stop & Shop, Shaw's, Jewel-Osco and Big Y.