Alani Nu has launched Purple Cotton Candy, a limited-edition energy drink developed with multi-platinum artist Becky G. The grape-forward twist on the brand's existing Cotton Candy flavor comes in 12-oz cans with 200mg of caffeine, zero sugar, and 10 calories. The variant is available at retailers nationwide and online at $29.99 per 12-pack...

With consumer confidence trending lower, as measured by both the Conference Board and the University of Michigan, concerns over the affordability of ready-to-drink beverages is intensifying. Today’s newsletter captures the tension between consumers protecting their budgets and beverage companies protecting their margins.

The lead story on page 3 checks in with Coke, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper bottlers to see how they are coping with rising commodity prices, softening pricing growth, and weakening volume performance. BD informally surveyed bottlers in May. Almost two months later, how are bottlers faring and feeling? The short answer: ...

BD annually surveys Fourth of July holiday promotions for three grocery chains in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami for an informal look at how the deal environment for soft drinks and other beverage categories is ...

Coca-Cola's BodyArmor has launched BodyArmor Fit, the brand's first sparkling sports drink, in 12-oz slim cans. Each can contains 290mg of electrolytes, 60mg of caffeine, choline, and green tea extract, with zero sugar and no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or dyes. Flavors are Mixed Berry, Tropical Passionfruit, Citrus Grapefruit, Orange Mango, and Watermelon Lime. NFL quarterback Joe Burrow is fronting the launch campaign.

Poppi has launched 7.5-oz mini cans at Walmart stores and online in flavors Cream Soda, Shirley Temple, and Wild Berry in single cans and 6-packs...

The US energy drink category posted robust growth at retail in the first quarter of 2026, with multi-channel volume up +11.4% and dollar sales up almost +14%, according to BD data. The standout was trademark...

Celsius Energy went from being an underdog to the No. 3 energy drink in the US with a simple formula: broaden the base. Rather than competing for the traditional male energy drink consumer through testosterone-fueled marketing, Celsius Energy built its brand around flavor and a wellness-oriented identity that gave women and professionals who had never bought an energy drink permission to enter the category. Now, with the acquisition of Rockstar Energy from PepsiCo last year, parent company Celsius Holdings is tapping back into the category's roots to access the adrenaline and attitude that built the energy drink sector. “We’ve always been an in-your-face brand,” Celsius Holdings CMO Rishi Daing said of Rockstar, for which he is spearheading a marketing reset. “But we became a little too polished in recent years, maybe a little too sophisticated. Our consumers probably weren't finding that as relevant anymore.” Last month, Celsius Holdings launched a new “Live Loud” brand identity and marketing campaign, playing off Celsius Energy’s “Live. Fit. Go” brand positioning. The new Rockstar positioning comes with an aggressive push into music, action sports, and motorsports. Daing said...

Most beverage and retail stocks tracked by BD have outperformed the broader market this year through May 11. The S&P 500 gained +8.3%, while the Consumer Staples Index rose +9.0%. The majority of beverage companies in BD's tracking universe outpaced both benchmarks. All share price results in this story are year-to-date through May 11.

MAJOR BEVERAGE COMPANIES. Coca-Cola shares gained...

Korean food companies Paldo and Hy have launched Arih, a Western-Korean fusion food and beverage brand developed with the Korean pop (K-pop) boy band BTS. The brand was launched exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide and on walmart.com, the companies announced on April 24. The beverage lineup includes Arih Postbiotic Energy Drink in seven fruit-based flavors packed in 12-oz slim cans. The drink is made with natural caffeine, four fermented traditional ingredients, and no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners, the companies said. A second drink is called Arih Dual Biotic Soda in seven flavors combining prebiotics and postbiotics with 3,000mg of dietary fiber. Both beverages are zero or low sugar. The brand also includes single-serve noodles. Members of BTS had input on the brand name, flavors, and packaging throughout product development, the companies said. US distribution is handled by HYH, a joint venture created to support Paldo and Hy's global expansion. In 2018, BTS became the first K-pop group to...