Jolt Cola Returns to Store Shelves
By Steve Holtz on Sep. 19, 2017CHICAGO -- Jolt Cola, arguably the original energy drink, is staging a comeback. Teased at length on social media, Rochester, N.Y.-based Jolt relaunched this month exclusively in Dollar General stores across the country. Single, 16-ounce cans will be sold for $1 in the chain’s stores.
Originally launched in 1985, Jolt Cola once “dominated the hearts and minds of gamers, hackers, journalists and other night owls,” according to the company website. “Despite its cult following, some bad business decisions (e.g. battery cans) forced the company to stop production and eventually dismantle the Jolt Cola empire,” the company said. “Now, Jolt CEO Doug Dixon’s vision for Jolt Cola as the phoenix of energy drinks will bring the seriously jacked-up cola back to market in September 2017.”
With its relaunch, the soda retains “its commitment to all the sugar and twice the caffeine in every can.” No word on when the drink might be available to other retailers.
Here’s a look at 11 other new beverages that caught our attention recently …
1. Beetology
Kayco introduced a line of functional, craft beet beverages called Beetology. Made with beets, the lineup of organic, cold-pressed juices comes in five varieties: Beet + Lemon + Ginger; Beet + Veggie; Beet + Tropical Fruit; Beet + Berry; and Beet + Cherry. Beetology is packaged in six 8-ounce bottles per case and is available for a suggested retail price of $3.99 per bottle.
2. Dalton Distillery
Rolled out in Georgia on Aug. 1, TazaRay is the first commercially distilled spirits from sunflower seeds and the first gluten-free sunflower whiskey. Dalton Distillery, Dalton, Ga., makes the drink in original and red varietals. TazaRay Original is aged in used bourbon barrels, and TazaRay Red is aged in used red wine barrels. TazaRay is distributed by Empire Distributors.
3. Califia Farms
Califia Farms launched a new line of Organic nutmilks. The drinks are available in Almond, Cashew and Coconut. The "homestyle nutmilks" are made with just four ingredients—organic nuts, water, oat fiber and a dash of sea salt—and no added sugar.
Califia Farms also unveiled Cold Brew Concentrates, a line of premium cold-brew coffee concentrates in Vanilla Tolteca, Signature Blend and Mocha flavors. Each of the 750-mL embossed amber bottles with screw tops delivers up to eight cups of direct-trade-sourced coffee.
4. Top Note Tonic
Top Note Tonic was created by a Milwaukee-based beverage startup and launched by a female craft-brewing veteran. Its new line of sparkling mixers is available in three flavors: Bitter Lemon, Indian Tonic and Ginger Beer. Top Note Tonic is available in four-packs of 8.5-ounce bottles for a suggested retail price of $6.99 to $7.99.
5. 4 Purpose Energy
4 Purpose Energy Drink is an organic beverage “that you can feel good about drinking,” according to the manufacturer. It's a lightly carbonated, raspberry-pomegranate-flavored drink that’s certified USDA organic, vegan and kosher. It contains fair-trade-certified organic cane sugar, as well as B-complex vitamins. Packaged in 8.4-ounce cans, the caffeine content is “a bit more than a single espresso shot.”
6. Blossom Bros. Wine Spritzer
Blossom Bros. is a botanical-infused wine spritzer available in 12-ounce bottles. The maker, Portland, Ore.-based Blossom Brothers, “artfully matches high-quality wine with natural botanical essences for an outcome that’s crisp and effervescent.” On launch, the drinks are available in three flavors: White Peach & Jasmine Flower, Blood Orange & Ginger Root and Pink Grapefruit & Honeycomb.
7. Dry Soda
Craft soda maker Dry Sparkling has added Watermelon Dry Sparkling to its growing core line. With only 50 calories and 12 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving, Watermelon Dry Sparkling aims to capture the refreshing, lightly sweet flavor of watermelon.
Made with just four ingredients and a touch of cane sugar, the flavor and aroma of Watermelon Dry Sparkling are intended to compliment summer food favorites such as grilled shrimp, prosciutto and potato salad, the company said.
8. Shark Energy
The drink opened its U.S. campaign in Florida with relationships with 7-Eleven and a number of distributors and independent retailers, the company said. Currently in the United States, Shark is available in two flavors—Shark Stimulation Original and Shark Sugar Free—both in 8.4-ounce cans. The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company plans to add Red Berries and Apple & Melon flavors in the near future. The suggested retail price is $1.99 per can.
9. Cheerwine Kreme
In recognition of its 100th birthday Cheerwine soda brought back its collaboration with Krispy Kreme for a limited time this summer.
Cheerwine Kreme combines the flavors of Cheerwine with a hint of Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed flavor, the company said. The drink is available in 2-liter and 20-ounce bottles through September in stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, and online at Cheerwine.com.
10. Vermont Village
Vermont Village, a small-batch producer of premium applesauce and apple-cider vinegar beverages, is aiming for store shelves with its latest product addition: Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Shots.
Sold in 1-ounce tear-open pouches, Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Shots are “the ideal solution for healthy-lifestyle enthusiasts seeking the benefits of a daily serving of organic and raw apple-cider vinegar,” the company said.
The shots are made from organic, clean and simple ingredients blended with organic honey and raw, unfiltered apple cider, according to the company. They are available in four flavors: Blueberries and Honey, Turmeric and Honey, Cranberries and Honey, and Ginger and Honey. A zero-calorie, unflavored Double Shot made from only raw and organic apple-cider vinegar is also available in a single-serving 1-ounce shot.
The products are sold in 12-packs for $14.99.
11. The Maple Guild
The Maple Guild, the largest single-source producer of organic maple syrup, has created its first lines of packaged beverages: seven flavors of Enhanced Maple Water and nine flavors of Maple Sweetened Iced Tea. The water line launched in Cranberry-Pomegranate, Blueberry and Citrus, with more flavors to follow shortly. The Maple Sweetened Iced Teas are available in flavors such as Black Tea, Green Tea and Green Tea With Ginger.