Bubbles Dominate IRI’s Top Food, Beverage New Product Pacesetters for 2021

As shopper behavior ebbed and flowed as COVID-19 persisted through 2021, new products “successfully ran the gauntlet of powering through a pandemic that first caused people to hunker down at home, and then start socializing in public again, only to hunker down again late in the year,” said Joan Driggs, VP of content and thought leadership for IRI.

The Chicago-based firm, which has been identifying New Product Pacesetters for 27 years, recently revealed the top new food and beverage products for 2021. Six of the top 10 Food and Beverage New Product Pacesetters for 2021 included bubbles (alcohol and nonalcohol), which reflected consumers’ desires to socialize at home, IRI said in a release. Click through to see the top 10, starting with No. 1.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $137.3 million
By Keurig Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper & Cream Soda comes in regular, diet and zero sugar. The variety combines the taste of Dr Pepper with the taste of vanilla cream soda. “Notably, Dr Pepper & Cream Soda appeals to a large portion of Gen Z eager to explore flavor combinations, exactly the innovation delivered by this product,” IRI said in its Pacesetter report.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $128.6 million
AHA Sparkling Water from the Coca-Cola Co., comes in a slew of flavors, including Peach + Honey, Orange + Grapefruit, Blueberry + Pomegranate, Lime + Watermelon and Raspberry + Acai. More recently, Blackberry + Lemon and Pineapple + Passionfruit flavors have been added to the mix.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $113.8 million
From Constellation Brands, Corona Hard Seltzer comes in Watermelon-Lime, Spicy Pineapple, Citrus Lime and Mandarin-Starfruit. The drinks are gluten-free with 100 calories per serving.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $103.4 million
High Noon Sun Sips from E & J Gallo Winery are made with vodka, real juice and sparkling water. The drinks come in Passionfruit, Peach, Pineapple and Watermelon flavors. The adult beverages have 100 calories per serving.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $98.8 million
Dairy alternative Oatly produces oat milks in full-fat, low-fat and chocolate varieties. The drinks are made from 100% gluten-free oats and enriched with calcium, the company said.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $90.5 million
From the Boston Beer Co., Truly Iced Tea mixes hard seltzer with real brewed tea and fruit flavor. Four flavors are available: Lemon, Raspberry, Peach and Strawberry.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $87.2 million
Made with coconut water and real fruit juice, Michelob Ultra Organic Seltzer from Anheuser-Busch InBev has 90 calories per serving. The adult beverages come in Blueberry Watermelon, Kiwi Lime, Berry Hibiscus and Strawberry Guava flavors.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $86.1 million
Impossible Foods’ Impossible Burger is made from plants but designed for people who love meat, the company says. The burgers contain soy and potato proteins, as well as coconut and sunflower oils.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $72.8 million
From Nestle, Life Cuisine is a frozen-entrée brand that caters to low-carb, high-protein, meatless and gluten-free lifestyles. Options include bowls and pizza. “Impossible Burger and No. 9 Life Cuisine delivered a convenient way for people to still eat at home, but easily make a healthy meal for themselves,” IRI said.

Total year-one dollar sales, multioutlet: $70.7 million
The Coca-Cola Co.’s Minute Maid Zero Sugar line of juices comes in Mango Passion, Pink Lemonade, Fruit Punch and Lemonade flavors. “Zero-sugar and low-sugar are top growth claims across categories but were notable among healthier beverage options, spanning both drink mixes and RTD offerings,” IRI said in its report.