Expo East

Zevia expands beyond soda with cocktail mixers, sparkling water & energy drinks

By Elizabeth Crawford

- Last updated on GMT

Source: E. Crawford
Source: E. Crawford

Related tags Energy drinks Soft drink

With the launch of a new line of cocktail mixers, Zevia continues its transformation from a leader specializing in only diet, all-natural soda to a multi-service platform that offers beverages for a variety of needs throughout the day and into the evening. 

At Natural Products Expo East, the company known for making clear diet soda with no artificial flavors and no sugar, showcased a trio of mixers, including “the first ever naturally sweetened, zero-calorie ginger beer, a dry lemon-lime and a tonic water,”​ company CEO Paddy Spence told FoodNavigator-USA.

He explained that the products are different from many mixers already on the shelf because they are made with stevia instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners so they won’t overload a cocktail with extra calories. Likewise, they have a slightly more “sophisticated, drier”​ flavor than some of the sodas that consumers currently use in cocktails, he said.

The line, which will start shipping at the end of the year, comes in sleek, “mixer-friendly”​ 7.5 ounce cans instead of the more familiar 12-ounce options, Spence said. He explained that the smaller cans reduce waste and are ideal for bars and restaurants to use as a premium, upscale, individual-use mixer to serve customers.

The expansion exemplifies a larger movement by soda makers into the craft cocktail space​ to counter sliding sales in retail due to consumer rejection of sugary beverages.

From energy to hydration

The launch of cocktail mixers follows another launch earlier this summer of Zevia’s zero-calorie energy drinks and slightly sweet sparkling water lines.

The energy drinks deliver 120 mg of caffeine per can but without the calories, sodium, artificial sweeteners and added supplementation that can clutter other energy products’ ingredient lists, Spence said.

Available in Raspberry/Lime, Mango/Ginger and Grapefruit, the energy drinks are all Non-GMO Project Verified, as are all of Zevia’s products.

The sparkling waters, which come in lime, cucumber lemon, mandarin orange and blackberry, stand apart from the competition because they offer a touch of sweetness from stevia without the calories that come with sugar, Spence said.

“There is nothing wrong with a couple of grams of sugar, but if you didn’t have to have it, why would you?”​ he asked.

A simplified sweetener

In addition to showcasing the cocktail mixers for the first time at Expo East, Zevia also announced a simplified sweetener for all its products across categories.

The company now uses only stevia to sweeten its products, rather than the blend of stevia, erythritol and monkfruit, for a simpler, cleaner ingredient deck, Spence said. He explained that switch is possible thanks to new blends of stevia compounds that have a better taste than some of the first stevia options, which often needed softening and rounding from other sweeteners.

Looking forward, Spence says Zevia will continue to innovate while remaining true to its roots – similar to how Spence’s role model Sam Adams has done with seasonal and high-end offerings that retain the company’s authenticity. 

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1 comment

Another Energy Drink In Disguise will help perception!

Posted by GreenEyedGuide,

I think it's great another energy drink will enter the market and bust the energy drink stereotype. I am a little apprehensive about energy drinks with no sweeteners because caffeine can be bitter, so can stevia. Overall it will be interesting to see if this product can get the shelf space at major grocery outlets.
-Food Scientist/Biochemist, Author of "Are You a Monster or a Rock Star: A Guide to Energy Drinks-How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely"

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