Tapping into cold brew: Ocean Spray launches superfruit juice made from Colombian coffee and vitamin C

15 Jan 2020 --- Ocean Spray Cranberries, the agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 farmer families in the US, has launched Ocean Spray Brew, a first-of-its kind hybrid drink made with real fruit juice and cold brew coffee. Ocean Spray Brew marks yet another expansion for Ocean Spray into a new category of coffee, while it continues to drive future growth opportunities for the cooperative this year.

The rise in cold brewed coffee is taking the beverage industry by storm. According to Innova Market Insights data, there has been a 65 percent growth in new iced coffee launches tracked with a “cold brew” claim. (Global, CAGR 2014-2018). The market researcher also highlights that ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee, especially the cold brew variants, are expected to continue growing strongly as they can meet multiple consumer needs – taste, refreshment, caffeine, a high-protein meal replacement, a natural and low-sugar/no-sugar alternative to energy drinks, an afternoon treat (nitro coffee, frozen coffee), cocktail mixer and more.

Coffee as a whole remains a strong trend, with the notion of going “beyond the coffeehouse” still at play.

With its nearly 90-year old iconic Ocean Spray brand, the cooperative is driving innovation to accelerate Ocean Spray's evolution toward health and wellness. The launch of Ocean Spray Brew builds on the pipeline of innovation coming from the cooperative. To do so, it delivers a new beverage that is both nutritious and provides natural energy.

Ocean Spray Brew will be available in two flavors, Cranberry Lemonade with Cold Brew Coffee and Cranberry Blueberry with Cold Brew Coffee. Brew features 100 percent Columbian Coffee, with each 8 oz serving containing 40 mg of naturally sourced caffeine from green coffee beans, which is equal to half a cup of coffee. In addition, Brew contains antioxidant vitamin C, as well as vitamin B and real fruit juice, with no added sugar, no preservatives and no artificial flavors or colors.

“Consumers are looking for natural ways to increase their energy and Ocean Spray Brew provides an option to reap other health benefits while having their caffeine. We’re bringing together the benefits of both health and energy in a delicious and innovative way,” says Rizal Hamdallah, Chief Global Innovation Officer at Ocean Spray. 

“Ocean Spray Brew is another example of our commitment to accelerate innovation and focus on building a health and wellness portfolio as part of our farmer-owned cooperative's transformation,” he adds. 

Ocean Spray Brew will be on-shelf in US stories including Target, Stop & Shop, Shaw's, Albertsons, Vons and Safeway this month and will continue to expand throughout the year, the company notes. 

Last month, FoodIngredientsFirst reported that Ocean Spray was expanding its premium fruit juice offering and renewing its focus on health and wellness.

Edited by Elizabeth Green