• GoodPop Sunsets Beverages
• Aria Growth Partners Closes $152M Fund-II
• Beverage Sales Up, Volumes Climbing Back
• VOSS’ Belsito Lays Out Rebuild Roadmap
• What Else Is New?

Pitching themselves as the “Latino High Noon” may have gotten Casalú – a rum-based ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail – into retail, but that doesn’t paint the whole picture. 

The Miami-based brand spawned from three college friends, all immigrants from South America, who sowed the seeds for the idea of a rum-based canned cocktail at parties where vodka seltzers and beers still dominate – the same parties where artists like Bad Bunny are blasting through the speakers. 

Despite the recent wave of Latino musicians and flavors hitting mainstream pop-culture, co-founder Gabriel González said there was still no brand representing that modern generation of Latinos in the ready-to-drink space. 

Armed with a rum and soda in flavors of Límon and Maracuya (passion fruit – otherwise known as the “gateway drug” of flavors to new Latino RTD drinkers), Casalú has made its way into major chains by pitching itself as the Latino version of the number one spirits-based RTD. 

• It helps that the Gen Z founders are bringing young influencers and musicians into their content sphere, giving retailers the possibility of new, diverse customers in terms of age and ethnic background. 
• Investors like Tom Reeg, the CEO of Caesars Entertainment, Tom Baker, founder of Mr Black, and Rodney Williams, the former CEO of Belvedere Vodka, are on board. 

That new boost of funding will help the brand scale up what’s working with its marketing, which is less of a “for us, by us” angle used by Mexican beer companies in the past, and more of “a platform for Latinos who are doing great things,” said Gonzalez. 

We chatted with González about how they’re identifying their next geographic targets (it’s not exactly where you’d think) and how they plan to bring their storytelling to a wider audience. 

Read the full story on BevNET.

When GoodPop first tried to take its reduced-sugar mission from the popsicle set to kids’ drinks, the expansion seemed like a good fit: It could use the same fruit juice supply as the base for sparkling beverages and solve for the high-sugar content in children's drink options. 

But after two years of trying to make it work (including a brand refresh last year), GoodPop has decided to wind down the drink line and focus on its core offerings in frozen treats.

The brand said the three-SKU line of 7.5 oz. sparkling juice drinks were profitable and greeted with enthusiasm from retail buyers from the beginning. Yet, the expansion has “stretched the team and pulled them in different directions,” reported founder Daniel Goetz.

Maneuvering in the kids drink category is no easy feat with bigger beverage makers and a slew of startups all trying various approaches to challenge incumbent brands from soda to juice boxes and pouches.

Read why GoodPop is throwing in the towel on BevNET.

Aria Growth Partners announced today the close of its second fund with $152 million in capital commitments following exits by LesserEvil and Hero Cosmetics. 

• The oversubscribed Fund-II was backed by returning Fund-I investors – nearly all of whom increased the commitment size – as well as new investors, including university endowments, fund-of-funds and family offices.
• Founded in 2020, Aria Growth Partners writes checks of $10 million to more than $30 million to founders with “clear product vision who are often solving personal pain points” across the food, beauty, personal care, supplements and household products industries.

🔊 "We've identified a compelling opportunity in the market where many specialist consumer funds have grown too large to serve founders at the stage where we see the greatest potential," said Trevor Nelson, co-founder and partner, in a press release. 

Insiders can access the full story.

BevNET Live heads to Marina del Rey, CA on December 7-9, and the official hotel room block at the Marriott is now available. Rooms always go fast. Staying on-site means you’re just steps away from networking opportunities, product sampling, and every moment of the event.

Register now to unlock access to the room block and save $100 with early registration.

Register Now for BevNET Live »

The pandemic wasn’t kind to premium water maker VOSS, as the import brand lost significant market share. But then came Jack Belsito, the former CEO of VOSS of Norway, who returned to the business as CEO of its Americas division to lead a comeback.

At BevNET Live Summer 2025, Belsito sat down for a discussion on how he’s turned the business around, digging into his focus on the “unsexy” parts of building a business and how he looks for “thoughtful consumption” occasions to convert new consumers.

ICYMI Live: Insiders can watch the full video on BevNET.

Non-alcoholic beverage industry sales are trending up as dollar sales rose 3.1% and pricing elevated 4.6% in the two-week period ending June 14, according to the latest NielsenIQ data analysis by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

• CSDs saw sales rise 3% as volume declines inched closer to the green and pricing decelerated.
• Energy drinks experienced a 15.3% sales boost with volume also rising over 13% during the 2-week period.
• Meanwhile, the sparkling water category was not rosy with sales growth and volume dipped sequentially.

Read the full analysis on BevNET.

BevNET’s 2025 Alcohol & Alternatives Guide is your go-to resource for tracking innovation across spirits, RTDs, cannabis beverages, non-alcoholic alternatives, and more.

Inside you’ll find:

– Leading and emerging brands

– Suppliers and service providers driving growth

– Trends and market insights to inform your 2025 strategy

Download the free guide. 

It’s Hump Day! Here’s a taste of the new drops and activations from the first half of the week.

💧 Smartwater’s new campaign features its global ambassador (and age-defying actress) Jennifer Aniston, claiming the Coca-Cola-owned water brand as one of her keys to health.

🏀 A new “What Are The Odds?” marketing campaign from Lucky Energy highlights the ups and downs of brand ambassador and former NBA player Greg Oden

🍊 Feeling cute? Sparkling Ice is with its new mini-can flavors, Mandarin and Orange Cream. The flavors are a partnership with citrus brand Cuties and feature the Lil’ Zipper mascot on the cans.

🍍 Pressed Juicery is launching into summer with two new Energy Tonics – Blue Pineapple and Cherry Limeade – available in stores and online.

🧊 Spindrift is also seeking refreshment with the hot weather outside as it introduces its newest variety: Yuzu Mandarin.

Browse more new product news on BevNET.

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