Our Expo East 2023 coverage continues with a look into Elmhurst’s revamped line of plant-based cold brew lattes, as well as ShineWater’s ongoing move into cans under new CEO Clare Verdery. Plus updates from 100 Coconuts and Gorgie, and trend insights from SPINS.

Elmhurst (#2329) is ready for a second try at the RTD coffee space. Though its 11 oz. cold brew oat milk lattes failed to take off a couple years back, the New York-based non-dairy milk specialist is set to step back into the arena this January with the launch of a revamped 5-SKU line of lattes, this two-serving 25.4 oz. cartons. Rather than c-stores, this time around Elmhurst is targeting existing conventional accounts -- Wegmans, Whole Foods, Fresh Market and the like -- with a $7.99 product, which broken down per latte should be competitive price-wise with single cans of La Colombe draft lattes as well as plant-based lattes from Pop & Bottle. Expect indulgence: Cashew Caramel and Pistachio Creme were our favorites sampled at the booth. 

For coconut water maker 100 Coconuts (#4102) to succeed in a category in which a single brand dominates, it "can't live on one SKU alone," according to president Jason Miller. Its response has been to introduce more flavors -- see the recent additions of Mango and Pineapple -- and target DSD partners (like Manhattan Beer Distributors in NYC) willing to carry both the core line and its tequila-based RTD cocktail, part of a growing wave of boozy coconut water product launches. We talked with Miller about what's been working for the brand and how its two new Directors of National Accounts & Distribution for the East and West Coast fit into growth plans.

ShineWater (#2706) is feeling the love from Trolls. Amidst the start of a new chapter for the company under new chief executive officer Clare Verdery and the ongoing rollout of its new 16 oz aluminum can packaging, the Vitamin D-enhanced water line is partnering with Dreamworks in anticipation of the release of the third movie in the Trolls franchise this November.The partnership includes branded ShineWater cans featuring Trolls characters, a private screening sweepstakes and digital activations, and coincides with the introduction of the company’s newest flavor, Tropical Lemonade, in October.

Gorgie's (#2652) fast start to life in the beverage world has been fueled in large part by the online community developed by founder and CEO Michelle Cordeiro Grant before the female-skewing functional energy drink launched in Whole Foods back in January. But the brand's presence at New York Fashion week this month – including having Gorgie served on platters to guests at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center -- marks a milestone in its growth and has given it confidence to push ahead with activating its audience on the West Coast via an influencer event in Los Angeles. The brand’s online presence has also driven traffic to Amazon where the multipacks are now an Amazon Choice top seller.

And if you’re looking for a peek into what could be the next big thing in packaged drinks, look to the supplement section.That’s according to SPINS market insights director Scott Dicker, who shared insights on where the CPG beverage space is headed yesterday during an educational session titled A Thirst for Change: Beverage Innovations in Natural & Organic.

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Whether it’s traditional staples of roasted turkey, buttered mash & pumpkin pie or more trendy options like fried turkey, cranberry bourbon sauce & jalapeno chili mash, flavor is the key element. A new holiday flavors guide from the flavor experts delivers tasty inspiration for the holiday season. Learn more

With tequila and vodka-based RTDs dominating the top of the sales charts, is there room for rum to make a play?

• As players like Heineken dip into total beverage, Red Stripe’s new canned cocktails are aimed at capturing the Jamaican beer brand’s multicultural audience and recruiting new consumers in “higher energy occasions.”
• For premium RTD brand Tip Top, its newest expression is aimed at extending innovations for its current audience, and a rum cocktail fit the bill. 
• Rum-based RTDs are gaining momentum and sold $89.5 million in the 52 weeks off premise prior to July 8, up 35.6% since a year ago and coming in behind tequila (at much greater $266.3 million), according to NIQ. 
• But the mother spirit suffered volume declines last year — emerging brands are betting on higher end rum to upgrade the spirit’s reputation, could premium RTDs do the same?

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Swedish vodka maker SKYY is getting in on two cocktail trends: the espresso martini and margaritas -- with the announcement yesterday of two new expressions to its Infusions portfolio.

• With the margarita reining at #1 and as tequila creeps up on vodka’s place as America’s favorite spirit, the new Infusions Agave Lime looks like a clear play for the agave and lime-flavored cocktail styles we are seeing in RTDs. The press release added that the new product is a “great addition to classic tequila cocktails.” If you can't beat them, join them?
• For the new SKYY Infusions Espresso, the vodka label has partnered with supermodel and martini enthusiast, Winne Harlow. 
• Harlow isn’t the only espresso martini lover: the cocktail nearly doubled in velocity over the past year on-premise, with quarterly growth of +11% (overcoming the Long Island Iced Tea to become the sixth most popular cocktail) according to CGA.  
• The cocktail's canned counterparts argue that the difficulty of creating the cocktail gives them an opportunity on-premise and at home. Note that the new Infusions Espresso martini recipe still requires cold brew or espresso -- is that a viable solution for bartenders? We'll see.