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Responding to consumers' clear preference for novelty in their bev choices, Keurig Dr Pepper is unleashing broad innovation slate for spring tallying 3 dozen entries spanning its CSD, tea, hydration and energy brands, among those it's ready to identify so far. That roster includes co's array of partner brands, including Bloom Pop modern soda line that adds Root Beer Float, Peach Pineapple and Rocket Blast flavors. Among other highlights are move by Ghost Energy partner brand into 8.4-oz cans, joining other energy players who've been experimenting with lower-priced, lower-calorie format, and inaugural zero-sugar entry by its Mott's juice that's already landed somewhat controversially at retail. As noted, there will be other launches that co isn&#39;t flagging yet as it girds in coming year for split of co into its coffee and bev components. Announcement of comprehensive suite of new items echoes some of what was previewed at NACS c-store expo last fall, as well as comments by CEO Tim Cofer on recent earnings calls. Still, put on a platter as KDP did this week, they serve as reflection of how innovation may require nothing more than a deft flavor addition to unlock substantial bout of growth, as Blackberry extension did for core Dr Pepper CSD last year.So what's KDP got in store this spring and beyond? Several new entries simply aim to ride existing trends. Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut returns as a limited-time riff on dirty soda wave, much as rival PepsiCo has sought to do with Dirty Mountain Dew Cream Soda. That heads to retail in Apr. On topical note, Snapple will tap into nation's big birthday this summer with Two Hundred Fif‑TEA Party that melds raspberry flavored tea with lemonade, in bottle whose graphics are dominated by Lady Liberty. This LTO appears after often-neglected brand within portfolio will have gotten a new suit of clothes in Mar, with reskinning of core PET bottle that restores more of original look including logo font and prominently heralds "real tea" on front panel of tea sku's. Foray into widemouth 16-oz bottle that harkened back to brand's indie days as early natural-bev player (BBI, Oct 3 and 22). Also this summer, A&W brand is offering limited-time Root Beer Float with touch of vanilla, starting in Jul. And for holidays, 7 Up is bringing back Shirley Temple mocktail with notes of pomegranate and lemon-lime flavors.Citing young shoppers' fascination with citrus flavors, KDP also is adding Bai Bar&ugrave; Blood Orange to struggling acquired brand that's lately been rebranded as WonderWater for its antioxidant content. That's out this month. And growing 7 Up CSD trademark is adding as a Kroger exclusive Endless Summer Mandarin Orange as a limited-time summerseasonal.Energy Additions Galore: Ghost, C4, Black Rifle, Bloom As for energy, recall that until just a few years ago KDP had essentially no game in vibrant category as internally developed Venom brand failed to ignite and brand partners like A Shoc didn't get far. That's changed dramatically, starting with alliance with C4 Energy marketer Nutrabolt, then acquisition of Ghost Energy and partnership with Black Rifle in segment. Along the way, Nutrabolt helped incubate Bloom Energy entry that's proving compelling alternative to Alani Nu, now in PepsiCo camp. No surprise, then, that lots happening in energy as new year gets under way.On Ghost front, brand is moving forward with 8.4-oz cans that were teased at NACS (BBI, Oct 22). The lineup will include OG, OG Colada, Strawberry Watermelon and Welch's Grape flavors, in effort to win new consumers and offer less caloric or caffeinated option to existing ones. Until now, OG had mainly been targeted for on-premise channel. Recall also that Ghost's split with key licensing partner Mondelez left it in quest of new partners to leverage to replace likes of Oreo, including Welch's. Within core 16-oz line, Ghost is adding Blue Raspberry and Welch's Grape-Cran, while also going nationally with Strawbango strawberry/mango combo. It's also set pair of retailer exclusives: Iced Tea Lemonade heading into Walmart and Circle K and Bubblicious Strawberry Splash as a Kroger exclusive with another new licensing partner.C4, which represented KDP's first real success in energy, is adding Mango Fuego and the LTO Pink Lemonade (raspberry lemonade). Among retailer exclusives, C4 is tapping familiar KDP trademark to offer Hawaiian Punch Berry Blue Typhoon, aiming to strike nostalgic note at Circle K chain, as well as Cherry Cola entry going into Casey&#39;s c-store chain in heartland. The Bloom Sparkling Energy brand that Nutrabolt has been incubating is adding strawberry lemonade Summer Splash. And Black Rifle Energy is adding GrapeX flavor as well as Tiger Strike citrus/tropical LTO for summer.Seeking to Solve Sugar Conundrum, Mott's Zero Extension Generating Early Consumer Blowback Juice category has been struggling as consumers turn away from their sugar content, despite unquestioned nutritional bona fides of some juices. As we've reported, Milo's and Juice Bowl brands recently have taken a flier on de-sugaring tech offered by New Tree, hoping to do for juice what ultrafiltration did in banishing key negative for milk (BBI, Feb 4 and 9). As zero-sugar options dominate CSD growth segments, "now, more zero-sugar options are hitting the juice aisle," as KDP heralded for its legacy Mott's juice brand. Enter Mott's Zero Sugar, which seems to have debuted at Walmart in past week after being teased last fall.So how'd it do it? Newly live website indicates it includes just 1% apple juice from concentrate and enlists stevia for sweetening chores, allowing co to declare "contains no artificial flavors or sweeteners . . . has the delicious apple taste that the whole family will love." As this week's announcement assured, "Mott&#39;s brings its trusted taste into a lighter, modern format."That doesn't seem to be how some consumers view it so far. Three of 5 reviews on website give it a 1-star rating (the others are 4 stars and 5 stars). "Labeling this as sugar free apple juice seems wrong," as one notes. "Unfortunately it tastes absolutely nothing like apple juice, but rather like a sour green apple artificially flavored candy. I expected it to just be a much less concentrated and healthier juice, but this tastes nothing like apple juice at all and is pretty deceptive in its marketing." Another reviewer who purchased it at Walmart in Biloxi, Miss, in lieu of out-of-stock Mott's Light cited "shockingly awful taste." Here's the third: "The taste is horrible and I couldn't even bring myself to drink it. It wasn't cheap and boy did I waste my money on it."Foodie.com has picked up on the discontent in article entitled "Brown Water with Chemicals: Walmart Shoppers Aren't Pleased with This Apple Juice Drink." Its theory as to what may have gone wrong: balance between stevia and malic acid, listed as 3d ingredient on nutrition panel. "This is a flavor enhancer that can help impart a lingering tartness to help combat the aftertaste of calorie-free sweeteners like stevia. According to the reviews on Walmart&#39;s page, it doesn&#39;t seem like Mott&#39;s pulled off the right balance." Its conclusion: "Unfortunately, it just may be a hard truth that apple juice is not meant to be enjoyed without sugar."Of course, taste is subjective. The 5-star reviewer? "Truly an affordable delicious drink for my family, especially for my husband who is on the keto diet." Go figure.Other Additions Canada Dry Fruit Splash adds Strawberry flavor . . . Partner brand Electrolit is adding Cherry Ice in coming weeks, joining Strawberry Kiwi already on shelves and 7-Eleven summer exclusive to be revealed later this spring . . . La Colombe Draft Latte returns Strawberry Mocha and S&#39;mores. For fall and winter period, Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Mocha return . . . Polar Seltzer returns Strawberry Cr&eacute;me and Toasted Coconut.

KDP Keeps It Simple with 2026 Innovation Slate, Riffing on Broad Trends, Topical Themes; Reskins Snapple; Mott's Zero Sugar Juice Landing with a Thud

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