This month’s NACS show in Las Vegas drew a record attendance of more than 26,000 people after an 8.5% increase over last year’s show in Atlanta, according to organizers. Food and beverage manufacturers use the annual NACS show to unveil new products for convenience store operators from around the country as they prepare to reset shelves early next year. Beverage Digest attended NACS to report on next year’s introductions. Below is a selection of key products shown by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper and select other beverage companies...

Coca-Cola Bottling Company United has announced the planned construction of a $330 million headquarters and distribution center in its hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. The project includes a...

In case you missed the April Fool’s Day fun this month, here’s a recap of some of the beverage gags that came across our desk and social media feeds:

7-Eleven — The convenience store chain announced a sparkling water flavor based on its signature roller grill hot dog. The drink promised the “mouthwatering experience” of a 7-Eleven hot dog, including the ketchup and mustard. The gag was used to pitch a very seltzer collaboration with Miracle Seltzer.

Poppi — Gut soda Poppi teased fans with a set of licensing deals with famous candy and snack brands: Ring Poppi, Poppi-tarts,

Have you heard about “crispy” Diet Coke? I dismissed this TikTok driven trend until my daughter mentioned it the other day.

As readers of this newsletter know, my adult son and daughter, ages 27 and 22, are an important window for me. What I see and hear from them has been valuable to my understanding of how young consumers digest media and consider brands. My kids and their friends are an antidote to the skepticism that can infect a 53-year-old brain.

It turns out my daughter and her friends are fans of “crispy” Diet Coke. And there is ritual around the drink. First, a Diet Coke goes into the freezer to get near the tipping point to ice. Next, ice is added to a reusable cup. On top of the ice goes a sachet of True Lime, which is a crystallized Lime powder (that I hadn’t heard of). The near-frozen Diet Coke is then poured over the ice and lime powder, creating the desired “crispy” effect. As my daughter explains: “It’s cold, carbonated, and super refreshing. Lime makes it even more crispy.” So young people do drink Diet Coke?

That wasn’t all she surprised me with. I’ve often...