We just announced the finalists for our 2023 Beverage Digest Awards. Winners in 13 drink categories will be named at Future Smarts in New York on Dec. 11.

There are a few trends worth noting from this year’s roster of finalists:

— A range of teas came to the forefront. Vying for Best Premium Drink is a Blue Tea Jasmine variant from Rishi’s line of Sparkling Botanicals, as well as a Cold Brew Tea from...

Plus, Bubly Grows in 1H US Retail Data. Prepares Extension to Challenge Sparkling Ice.

In May, BD reported on a steep sales decline for Coca-Cola’s AHA sparkling water as the brand was delisted at Publix and Coke discontinued caffeinated versions. Now, Coca-Cola has confirmed to BD that AHA will be scaled back next year in the US as Coca-Cola focuses on Topo Chico. The decision comes as Coca-Cola and other major beverage producers focus on premium water segments, both still...

Executives from PepsiCo’s company-owned and independent bottling system met recently in Dallas to discuss 2024 market plans. PepsiCo Beverages North America CEO Kirk Tanner opened the meeting with a challenge to strive for “five-star excellence” when it comes to selling, service, sustainability, profit, and market share. “Three-star is good enough. Five-star is exceptional,” he said. “It is all about resetting our expectation for

Coca-Cola launched its newest limited edition Coke Creations extension this week. Y3000 is said by the company to be “futuristic flavored” and “co-created with human and artificial intelligence.” Y3000, in both Zero Sugar and regular versions, is how a Coke of the future might taste, the company added. Coca-Cola used AI to help generate the...

Coca-Cola has established a federally permitted alcohol subsidiary called Red Tree Beverages to further explore the US alcohol beverage business, Coke’s Chief of New Revenue Streams Dan White told BD in an interview. The unit, created late last year and “firewalled” from Coca-Cola’s non-alcoholic operations, is permitted to participate in marketing and strategy around ready-to-drink alcohol brands based on Coke trademarks that are produced by third parties including...