Jugos Beverage Company Launches Hard Frescos in California and Arizona

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Hard Frescos, a new line of aguas frescas with a kick — 5% ABV — is now available, just in time for summer. Hard Frescos is naturally fermented in small batches using real fruit, lightly sweetened with cane sugar, for a refreshing, clean finish.

Hard Frescos is available in 16-ounce cans or 4-packs of 12-ounce bottles in retailers throughout the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas of Arizona, San Francisco, Southern California, and Northern California areas, with distribution expanding every day.

Co-founders Peter Stearns and Mauro Gomez met working in the food industry long before the launch of Hard Frescos. Stearns has spent his life traveling back and forth to Mexico City, visiting family, working in the food industry, and being exposed to, and captivated by Mexican culture. Together, friends and business partners Stearns and Gomez spent several years developing and perfecting the recipes for the four flavors of Hard Frescos: Citrico®, Cola Buena®, Juicy Jamaica®, and Tangy Tamarindo®.

During their frequent travel to Mexico, Stearns and Gomez were continuously struck and inspired by the vibrancy in Mexico’s street food culture. The pair set out to create an authentic expression of this culture, using responsibly sourced ingredients — many from Mexico — and refusing any artificial colors or alternatives.

A food scientist, Stearns spent the earlier part of his career creating flavors for many global brands. Building on his experience, Stearns was adamant about creating an expression that is authentic to Latin-American culture. He spent three years performing a series of fermentation trials, perfecting the final blends at the University of California at Davis in their Anheuser-Busch pilot brewery.

Hard Frescos is available in four varieties, each boasting a balanced taste profile of simple, recognizable ingredients, and tart and sweet flavors. Premium ingredients are responsibly sourced and artificial alternatives are avoided, allowing the fresh, authentic flavors and ingredients to stand out. Hard Frescos is gluten-free and does not contain preservatives, sulfites, artificial colors or sweeteners.

• Citrico: Citrus and guava fruits, full fruit flavor punch
• Cola Buena: Kola seed, spicy, cinnamon notes
• Juicy Jamaica: Real hibiscus flowers, light, refreshing, like hibiscus tea
• Tangy Tamarindo: Real Mexican tamarind fruit, sweet and tart, apple notes