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The Weekly Sip is Food Dive’s column focused on the latest news in the rapidly changing and growing beverage sector. From inaugural product lines to big investments and controversial topics, this column aims to quench the thirst for developments in the category.
Boston Beer splashes into lemonade with Sun Cruiser expansion
This summer, consumers looking for canned vodka lemonade to bring to a beach or barbecue will have more than a few options.
Boston Beer announced Sun Cruiser Lemonade & Vodka, an expansion of its vodka tea product line it debuted last year. The eight-packs contain four flavors: Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade and Lemonade + Iced Tea.
The boozy lemonades contain 100 calories, 1 gram of sugar and 4.5% alcohol-by-volume per can.
“Expanding our lineup to bring even more flavor to fans, Sun Cruiser’s Lemonades are balanced, bright and about to be in your frequent rotation this summer,” said Erica Taylor, Sun Cruiser’s senior brand director, in a statement.
Boston Beer said Sun Cruiser’s vodka lemonades will be sold in 45 states.
Sun Cruiser arrived in 2024 amid the growth of Surfside and other non-carbonated RTD cocktails that contain real spirits. In recent months, new entrants have entered the niche category including Anheuser-Busch’s Skimmers and Minute Maid Spiked Vodka Lemonade, sold by Coca-Cola’s alcohol subsidiary Red Tree Beverages.
Boston Beer is aiming to regain its foothold in the RTD cocktail market as sales of its hard seltzer brand Truly dipped. On its most recent earnings call in February, the company’s CEO Michael Spillane pointed to Sun Cruiser as an “important growth driver” in its overall portfolio, and said it’s focused on expanding the line’s reach nationally.
Mountain Dew meets mango
PepsiCo announced Mango Rush, the latest flavor of Mountain Dew. It will be available exclusively at Little Caesars restaurants starting on May 5.
The flavor blends Mountain Dew’s citrus taste with a unique mango flavor, according to the company. The Mountain Dew flavor will be sold in 16-ounce cans.
In the press release, the company pointed to the success of Pepsi Pineapple, a flavor of the classic cola that was launched exclusively at the pizza chain’s locations first in 2023 for a limited time and brought back last summer.
“One thing Mountain Dew and Little Caesars fans both share is a thirst for adventurous flavors. With Mountain Dew Mango Rush, our goal was to collaborate with Little Caesars to create a new, refreshing beverage that pizza and Dew enthusiasts will love,” said Scott Finlow, PepsiCo’s chief marketing officer for its away from home segment, in a statement.