NEW: Crispin Cider Co. Introduces New Year-Round Rosé Cider

Crispin Cider Co., known for its portfolio of ciders made with fresh-pressed apples and pears, has declared that in 2018, the popular phrase “rosé all day” becomes “rosé all year” with the introduction of its latest offering, Crispin Rosé. Crafted with real rose petals, hibiscus, and an elegant blend of fresh-pressed juices made from hand-picked apples and pears from the Pacific Northwest, Crispin Rosé is available nationwide in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles. Beginning in March, Crispin Rosé will also be offered on tap at select locations.

Crispin Rosé is crisp with a dry finish, featuring a dusty rose color and a light floral aroma of rosé wine. Combining the refreshment and crispness of a cider with the beauty of rosé, Crispin Rosé is an easy to drink option for both wine and cider lovers alike. In addition, Crispin Rosé comes in beautifully designed, modern packaging, serving as the perfect option to bring along to social occasions like brunch or nights in with friends.

“We have a big opportunity with Crispin Rosé with female drinkers. We’ve been listening to and following them for a while, so we’re excited to finally bring female drinkers a rosé cider with quality ingredients that only Crispin can provide,” said Ashley Selman, vice president of brand marketing. “Rosé is a popular and ever-growing drink, and we’ve definitely seen our existing Crispin fans react positively to our new Rosé.”

To celebrate the launch of Crispin Rosé, the company will host a kick-off event Saturday, February 24, in New York City, bringing a rare summertime moment to an otherwise wintry day. Hosted at a popular Manhattan rooftop bar with heated domes, the event will feature Crispin Rosé, brunch bites, music and more. In addition to the launch, Crispin Rosé will be supported with a national campaign, including traditional and digital media efforts, in-store sampling events and public relations.

Old Forester Releases Ready-to-Serve Mint Julep Cocktail

The Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby® Now Available In-Store

Old Forester Mint Julep, a 60-proof ready-to-serve cocktail made with Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, will be available for sale in select stores as of late-March. In addition to stores, Churchill Downs® will serve Old Forester Mint Julep, recently named “The Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby®,” during the 141st Kentucky Derby®.

Old Forester Mint Julep is sold in a commemorative 1L Kentucky Derby bottle with a horse-themed neck wrap for a suggested retail price of $24.99 which will vary by location. The ready-to-serve cocktail makes it easy to enjoy a 10-second mint julep (just unscrew and pour over crushed ice), and lends an authenticity to any Derby party as it’s the same product which will be served to race fans on Derby Day. Churchill Downs expects to sell 120,000 mint juleps over the two-day period of Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.

While Old Forester was introduced in 1870 and the Kentucky Derby in 1875, the 141st Kentucky Derby marks the first time the two long-standing Louisville traditions have come together officially. In addition to stores in Kentucky, Old Forester Mint Julep will be sold in 35 markets across the U.S.

Daily’s® Cocktails Introduces Spiked Sodas

Flavored malt beverages will be getting an innovative twist this Spring with the introduction of Daily’s Cocktails Spiked Sodas™, a new line of fruit-flavored carbonated drinks with 5% ABV.

Daily’s Spiked Sodas will be available in 12 ounce slim cans in four fizzy flavors: Cherry Cola, Raspberry Ginger Ale, Lemon Lime and Blood Orange. The refreshing, fruity soda flavors were uniquely developed for women who want great tasting, slightly sweeter, low alcoholic beverages. Unlike many flavored malt beverages that taste more like a beer, Daily’s Spiked Sodas have no malt aftertaste and are, as the new product’s tagline says, ‘Fizzy, Fruity, Fun™’. With a suggested retail price of $1.99 per can, they’re also easy on your wallet.

Bud Light Lime Introduces Lemon-Ade-Rita

Bud Light Lime Lemon-Ade-Rita (PRNewsFoto/Anheuser-Busch)

The popular Bud Light Lime-A-Rita franchise continues its expansion by introducing Lemon-Ade-Rita, a new summer seasonal flavor joining the Rita brand. As consumer demand for convenient cocktail solutions and more delicious flavor variants in the Rita family increases, Bud Light continues to demonstrate the unique ability to introduce new, great tasting and flavorful drinks to a broader audience of beer drinkers. Bud Light Lime Lemon-Ade-Rita is a lemonade margarita-flavored alcohol beverage with a twist of Bud Light Lime that is ready-to-drink with just one pour and best served over ice.

Lemon-Ade-Rita is perfectly positioned to provide consumers with a new taste sensation and joins the Rita portfolio including permanent flavors Lime-A-Rita, Mang-O-Rita, Raz-Ber-Rita, Straw-Ber-Rita and seasonal flavors Apple-Rita and Cran-Brr-Rita. The Bud Light Lime Rita family, named a Nielsen Breakthrough Innovation Winner in 2014, makes up more than one-third of the FMB (flavored malt beverage) category. Since the launch of Lime-A-Rita in 2012, the Rita brand’s four core flavors claim the top four spots in the FMB category. The new Lemon-Ade-Rita naturally aligns with Bud Light’s fun and social positioning and is an ideal choice for parties and outdoor refreshment, especially as the weather gets warmer.

“In just a few years since the brand’s launch, the introduction of Rita flavors has been immensely successful among consumers, both through new permanent and seasonal variants,” said Alexander Lambrecht, vice president, Bud Light. “With the widespread popularity of our winter seasonal, Cran-Brrr-Rita, we saw that consumers have found drinking and entertaining occasions for Ritas throughout the entire year. We anticipate Lemon-Ade-Rita to continue to extend the seasonality of the Rita portfolio and reinforce the brand’s stake in the summer season.”