In numbers

150%

The number of M&A transactions in beverages in the second half of 2021 jumped 150% year-on-year

US$5.2bn

Sales of Tequila & Mezcal in the US increased 30% in 2021, totalling US$5.2bn

22%

South Africa’s wine exports climbed 22% in volumes terms last year. Lead market the UK increased its imports by 20% in value, to US$162.7m

US$500

Dubai Airport luxury wine and spirits retailer Le Clos released 120 bottles of Celebration Edition 50 Year Old blended Scotch at US$500 each

52.7%

Coca-Cola HBC bought a 52.7% stake in Coca-Cola Bottling Co of Egypt in January. Full control is expected to follow soon

Evolution in beverages 

Danone readies Evian Sparkling

Danone heralded a “new chapter” for bottled mineral water brand Evian with the launch of its first non-flavoured sparkling version. Evian Sparkling rolled out across multiple markets including the UK in January.

Molson Coors Beverage Co builds on The Coca-Cola Co JV with alcoholic Simply range

Molson Coors Beverage Co expanded its US arrangement with The Coca-Cola Co to launch an alcoholic line from juice brand Simply. Molson Coors will manufacture, distribute and market Simply Spiked Lemonade, which will hit shelves this summer in a 12-can variety pack format.

PepsiCo quiet on Hard Mtn Dew extension, Baja Blast

PepsiCo chose not to comment on reports that a fourth flavour has been lined up for the alcoholic version of its soft drinks brand, Mtn Dew. Local reports in January claimed a Baja Blast variant will join the Original, Black Cherry and Watermelon flavours in the Hard Mtn Dew spiked seltzers portfolio in February.

Monster Beverage Corp “vehemently opposed” to making alcohol brands out of soft drinks

The co-CEO of Monster Beverage Corp warned against using non-alcoholic beverage brands to launch alcoholic products, describing the practice as a “slippery slope”. Hilton Schlosberg said the company has no plans to launch an alcohol product under its namesake energy drinks brand.

In pictures

Suntory Beverage & Food’s Lucozade Alert Original 

Category - Soft drinks, energy drinks 
Available: Since February 
Location: The UK
Price: Not confirmed


Lucozade Alert Original, which comprises the same flavour formula as Lucozade Energy Original, has been added to the Alert line based on customer feedback. The variant joins Tropical Burst and Cherry Blast in the Lucozade extension’s portfolio. 

Pernod Ricard’s Beefeater Zesty Lemon

Category - Spirits, gin, flavoured, 37.5% abv
Available - From March 
Location: Available in ten international markets
Price: Not confirmed

The global release in March of Beefeater Zesty Lemon, which is produced using natural lemon flavours, covers Czech, Russia, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Lithuania, Hungary, Ireland, Romania and Slovenia. The launch is the latest in a series of flavoured gin launches from Beefeater, including Blood Orange in 2019 and Peach & Raspberry last year. 

New Belgium Brewing’s Citrus Rescue IPA

Category - Beer, IPA, 6.5% abv
Available: Since January
Location: The US, in selected off-premise outlets
Price - Not confirmed 


Citrus Rescue IPA is a fruit-brewed IPA that uses disfigured or blemished oranges and a mix of citra, lotus and mosaic hops. The beer has been created in collaboration with sustainability-forward California-based grocery chain Imperfect Foods. 

Treasury Wine Estates’ 19 Crimes Martha’s Chard

Category - Wine, Chardonnay, the US, 13.8% abv
Available: Since January
Location:  The US, available in the off-premise channel
Price - SRP of US$11.99 per 75cl bottle 

Martha’s Chard has been created in partnership with US businesswoman Martha Stewart. The California-grown Chardonnay, the first in the brand’s portfolio, joins other celebrity-endorsed wines in 19 Crimes’ portfolio, including US musician Snoop Dogg’s Snoop Cali Red and Cali Rose.