The Weekly Sip: Jones Soda pops into zero-sugar cola | Vita Coco sweetens its coconut drinks lineup

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Jones Soda pops into zero-sugar

Craft beverage maker Jones Soda is debuting a zero-sugar variety of its signature cola as more consumers shift toward healthier drinks.

The zero-sugar cola is now available at more than 10,000 stores, including Kroger. The brand announced it will expand its zero-sugar offerings with the debut of Jones Zero Root Beer in the second quarter and Zero Dr. Jones in the latter half of this year.

Scott Harvey, the CEO of Jones Soda, pointed to a projection that the zero-sugar beverage market will more than double in size by 2030, according to Fairfield Market Research.

“We fully expect all of our Zero products to play an important role in building our revenues and profits,” Harvey said in a press release.

Coke Zero has grown exponentially for parent company Coca-Cola in recent years, with volumes increasing 13% in its last quarter and 9% overall in 2024.

The launch follows two recent additions to Jones Soda’s portfolio that also speak to larger consumer trends. Pop Jones is a prebiotic soda sweetened with real fruit juice and stevia, which competes in the same realm as Poppi and Olipop. And Fiesta Jones is a line of Latin-influenced sodas designed for convenience stores, in flavors like Mango Passion Fruit and Coconut Lime.

Vita Coco sweetens its portfolio

The latest products from the popular coconut water maker seek to satisfy consumers’ sweet tooth with a less sugary option.

Vita Coco Treats is debuting its Orange & Creme beverage, aimed to evoke an orange creamsicle with coconut milk and notes of orange zest and vanilla. The drink is the second launch under its Treats lineup, with the brand debuting Strawberries & Creme last year.

Jane Prior, the chief marketing officer at The Vita Coco Company, said in a statement the company saw demand for sweeter beverages.

“After the incredible response to Strawberries & Creme, we wanted to provide consumers with another beloved flavor—one that brings a fresh twist to a timeless favorite,” said Prior. 

In the press release, the brand said it sees increasing demand for beverages that tap into nostalgia and indulgence among consumers.

Vita Coco, which debuted over two decades ago, has weathered fluctuations in the soft drink category and maintained its presence on shelves. In 2023, it expanded into the alcohol space in a collaborative RTD cocktail with Diageo’s Captain Morgan. The brand has also seen its use occasions grow with smoothies and mixed drinks as hydration and functional beverages continue to grow in popularity.

American-made sake targets premium alcohol consumers

A new brand has a goal to bring centuries of Japanese brewing tradition to the U.S. luxury alcohol market.

Kintsugi Sake is debuting rice wine that is made in America and designed for the higher-end alcohol market. The brand sources rice from Arkansas and relies on water from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“Our mission with Kintsugi Sake is to bring sake to the forefront of luxury beverage culture,” said Buzzy Sklar, the founder and CEO of Kintsugi Sake, in a statement. “We’ve crafted a product that’s not just about exceptional taste—it’s about telling a story. Every bottle represents a fusion of tradition, innovation and elegance, making it a true work of art for discerning drinkers.”

Kintsugi’s name derives from the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold powder, a metaphor for “finding beauty in imperfections,” the brand said.

The beverage brand said it will follow up its debut with limited-time offerings.

As consumers increasingly take an interest in unique alcoholic beverages from different cultures, sake is seeing its visibility grow. The market for sake is projected to be worth $13 million by 2027, increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%, according to The Insight Partners.