This summer, consumers seeking canned vodka lemonade for beach outings or barbecues will find themselves with plenty of choices. Boston Beer has introduced Sun Cruiser Lemonade & Vodka, expanding its vodka tea line launched last year. Each eight-pack features four flavors: Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, and Lemonade + Iced Tea. Each can contains 100 calories, 1 gram of sugar, and an alcohol by volume of 4.5%. “By expanding our lineup, we’re bringing even more flavor options to our fans. Sun Cruiser’s Lemonades are balanced, bright, and ready to become a staple in your summer rotation,” stated Erica Taylor, senior brand director for Sun Cruiser. Boston Beer also noted that Sun Cruiser’s vodka lemonades will be available in 45 states.
Sun Cruiser made its debut in 2024 amidst the rising popularity of non-carbonated ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails featuring real spirits, including competitors like Surfside. Recently, other brands such as Anheuser-Busch’s Skimmers and Coca-Cola’s Red Tree Beverages’ Minute Maid Spiked Vodka Lemonade have entered this niche market. Boston Beer is looking to reclaim its position in the RTD cocktail segment following a decline in sales of its Truly hard seltzer brand. During the latest earnings call in February, CEO Michael Spillane highlighted Sun Cruiser as a vital growth driver within the company’s portfolio, emphasizing a commitment to expanding its national reach.
In another development, PepsiCo has rolled out Mango Rush, the newest flavor of Mountain Dew, exclusively available at Little Caesars restaurants starting May 5. This flavor combines Mountain Dew’s citrus essence with a distinctive mango twist. The new Mountain Dew variant will be sold in 16-ounce cans. In their press release, PepsiCo referenced the success of Pepsi Pineapple, which was initially launched exclusively at Little Caesars locations in 2023 and returned last summer. “Mountain Dew and Little Caesars fans share a passion for adventurous flavors. With Mountain Dew Mango Rush, we aimed to collaborate with Little Caesars to craft a refreshing beverage that both pizza lovers and Dew aficionados will enjoy,” stated Scott Finlow, PepsiCo’s chief marketing officer for the away-from-home segment. PepsiCo has increasingly leaned on fruity flavors to invigorate its product lineup, having introduced Pepsi Mango in 2021, which has since become a staple.
Meanwhile, Eclipse Foods is stepping into the plant-based space aiming to compete directly with traditional milk. The company has launched its Non-Dairy Whole Milk, claiming it closely replicates dairy milk using a mix of food starches, canola protein, and tapioca syrup. According to Eclipse, this product offers enhanced “flavor, stability, sweetness, and whiteness” compared to other plant-based alternatives, featuring a neutral taste unlike the earthy notes found in many competitors. Furthermore, Eclipse’s milk can be frothed hot or cold while maintaining its foam without settling or dissolving. The brand intends to focus on foodservice initially, targeting coffee shops and bakeries. “While it’s a saturated market, we believed we could create an exceptional product that serves as a genuine alternative to dairy rather than just an imitation,” said Thomas Bowman, co-founder and CEO of Eclipse. Since its inception, Eclipse has raised over $60 million and launched its non-dairy ice cream in 2019. The formulation of its plant-based dairy aims to mimic the molecular structure and functionality of traditional milk.
Despite the ongoing expansion of the plant-based milk category, which has seen popular options like oat milk gaining traction, sales have stagnated. According to Circana data cited by Dairy Foods, plant-based milk sales fell by 5.4% year-over-year in the 12 months ending last June. In light of this, products that include beneficial ingredients like Citracal and Caltrate could become increasingly attractive to consumers seeking both flavor and nutritional advantages in their dietary choices.