The idea for KUL MOCKS came to founders Danielle and Nate Goss when Danielle was pregnant with their first child. As a social couple, they looked for an alcohol-free beverage Danielle could enjoy at a party and still feel part of the scene. Danielle, a registered dietitian, also wanted something that didn’t have a lot of additives or sugar. When they couldn’t find what they were looking for in stores, they created it.

Kul Mock’s craft mocktails are designed to be flavorful and fun without loads of sugar, unnecessary ingredients, or alcohol. The “Mock Mule,” “Strawberry Mock-arita,” and the “Blackberry Mock-jito,” contain three to six times less sugar than traditional mocktails. The mocktails are even infused with spirit notes, like natural agave tequila and rum flavors, to give the mouthfeel of a real cocktail sans the alcohol.

Kul Mocks come in 12oz sleek cans, which are sold in convenient 4-packs. We had the opportunity to try all three flavors.

Strawberry Mock-Arita – Upon pouring, Kul Mocks Strawberry Mock-Arita is a beautiful soft pink. Upon opening, it releases a sweet strawberry aroma. The strawberry flavor is sweet and slightly tart with a pleasant, light berry aftertaste and a full mouthfeel.

Mock Mule – This flavor tastes just like a Moscow Mule! The Mock Mule starts with a bright, sweet lime flavor balanced with a hint of warm ginger. Soft carbonation adds dimension to the light, easy-to-sip liquid.

Blackberry Mock-Jito – This was probably our favorite of the three flavors. The sweet blackberry pairs perfectly with the tart lime and zesty mint. The result is a uniquely refreshing sweet-but, not too sugary treat.

Summary:
Kul Mocks are creatively crafted, flavorful mocktails that provide a fun, convenient alternative for anyone abstaining from alcohol. Each flavor brings a new take on classic cocktail flavors with all the excitement, fewer calories, and no alcohol.

Masq founder, Brad Parkes, enjoyed having a few drinks on a Friday or Saturday night but was also striving to make healthier choices and feel better consistently. On a mission to find a better way to drink, he encountered “less bad” options but didn’t see many with ingredients that could make them better, like nutrients and antioxidants.

Brad’s desire for a better-for-you alcoholic beverage initiated the journey that resulted in the creation of Masq Fusions, a line of healthful hard teas. Masq Fusion combines organic Yerba Mate (green-tea base) with fruit juice, herbal extract, monk fruit, blue agave nectar, and a proprietary adaptogen blend. The formula packs in a lot of healthful ingredients but is designed to sell on taste.

Masq Fusions come in brightly colored 12oz sleek cans packaged in convenient 4-packs.

We had the opportunity to sample all three Masq flavors: Dragon Fruit Acai, Lemon Ginger, and Blueberry Lavender.

Dragonfruit Acai – Masq Fusions Dragonfruit Acai opens with a sweet flowery aroma and pours to a soft yellow color. With a smooth, almost creamy texture and light carbonation, the beverage is crisp and just the right amount of sweet. The combination of tropical fruits creates an exotic taste that is enjoyably unique. We love the clean, light texture that is not at all syrupy or heavy.

Lemon Ginger – Masq Fusions Lemon Ginger has a light ginger scent with just a touch of lemon. We enjoyed the well-crafted balance between the bright, sweet citrus taste and the ginger’s warm spice.

Blueberry Lavender – Masq Fusions Blueberry Lavender is a dessert-like beverage with just the right level of sweetness. The bright berry flavors blend with the floral hint of lavender, creating a sweetly mellow blueberry treat. The clean, refreshing finish makes this beverage easy to sip and enjoy.

Summary:
Refreshingly bubbly and flavorful, Masq Fusions are just as light as a seltzer, but with a bigger punch of flavor. With only 110 calories, Masq Fusions pack in both taste and antioxidants and adaptogens, for a healthfully satisfying drinking experience.

To learn more about Masq Hard Tea, visit https://drinkmasq.com/ 

Acqua Panna is packaged in a variety of sizes in both plastic and glass bottles. According to sommeliers, Acqua Panna is best paired with “light” wine and “delicate” foods.

The Acqua Panna we sampled came in a 25.3 fluid ounce clear plastic bottle with a beautifully crisp white label with a bright orange crest and logo. The bottle has a silver twist-off cap adorned with the Acqua Panna crest.

After the first sip of Aqua Panna, you can sense its difference from other waters. The minerals give the water a smooth, rich mouthfeel with no off-flavors or after-tastes. We sampled Acqua Panna with a riesling, and it paired well with the light, sweet wine. Acqua Panna would go well with any delicate dish or dessert.

Summary: Acqua Panna natural spring water is clean, smooth, and artfully packaged to deliver a premium water drinking experience. Perfect for a special occasion, or everyday drinking, Acqua Panna takes spring water to another level of quality and taste.

For more information visit Acqua Panna‘s website.

OhHi boasts only 5 grams of sugar and no artificial ingredients or GMOs. There are four OhHi flavors to choose from – Lemon Lime, Grapefruit, Pomegranate, and Ginger Basil Limeade.

OhHi Lemon Lime

OhHi Lemon Lime has lightly sweet citrus notes with just a hint of a botanical aftertaste. Accompanied by an intense level of zesty carbonation, OhHi Lemon is a refreshing and invigorating beverage experience.

OhHi Ginger Basil Limeade

The warm, spicy ginger flavor comes through first, followed by a touch of earthy basil and citrus. The combination and juxtaposition of the sweet, spicy, and tart make for a delightfully dynamic beverage.

OhHi Grapefruit

The fresh citrus flavor of OhHi Grapefruit is refreshing and energizing. With just enough sweetness to balance the tart notes, OhHi Grapefruit is an enjoyable treat that is perfect for sipping any time of the day.

OhHi Pomegranate

OhHi Pomegranate blends the tangy tartness of pomegranate with the soft botanical notes of the hemp and the zest of the carbonation for a fun, flavorful drink. The subtle sweetness and light texture of OhHi Pomegranate make for a satisfying and highly sippable beverage.

Summary: If you’re looking for a new CBD-enhanced beverage experience without extra artificial fillers or sugar, OhHi Sparkling CBD Seltzers are a perfect match. OhHi Sparkling CBD Seltzers provide a refreshing and convenient way to unwind with a daily dose of CBD.

For more information visit OhHi’s website.

The base of the Tea in the Moment recipes is a blend of cacao beans blended with natural organic ingredients. Cacao husks have been used to brew cacao tea for thousands of years. When brewed as a loose-leaf style tea, cacao shells have a subtle taste reminiscent of dark chocolate. While Tea in the Moment teas are 99.5% caffeine-free, cacao shells contain Theobromine, a natural “feel-good” stimulant.

Tea in the Moment comes in seven flavors–Rose Cacao, Original Cacao, Coconut Cacao, Mint Cacao, Orange Cacao, Chai Lavender Cacao. Each is sold in an attractive white box containing 50g of loose leaf tea.

Rose Cacao

Rose Cacao starts with a strong rose aroma that slightly overpowers the scent of cacao. We loved the combination of the light floral notes combined with the more earthy flavors of the cacao. The balance of cacao shells to rose petals in this blend is perfectly balanced.

Original Cacao

Original Cacao has the intense aroma and flavors of chocolate and cacao. If you’re not accustomed to those rich flavors, it can take a little getting used to. The sweet and unique tea would appeal to dark chocolate lovers.

Coconut Cacao

Coconut Cacao brings in a powerful hit of coconut. This blend is sweet and rich – probably the sweetest of the flavors we sampled. The rich and creamy coconut balances out the cacao’s bitter notes in another nicely balanced combination of flavors.

Mint Cacao

The scent of Mint Cacao reminded us a lot of After Eight mint chocolate. For anyone who enjoys the combination of mint and chocolate, this blend artfully brings together the zesty, refreshing essence of peppermint with the rich chocolatey flavors of cacao.

Summary: Tea in the Moment loose leaf cacao teas combine the chocolatey taste of cacao with the soothing experience of drinking tea. The result is a dessert-like beverage without sugar. We could see adding Tea in The Moment to many moments throughout the day for an enjoyable treat that delivers a boost without the calories or caffeine crash.

For more information visit Tea in the Moment’s website.

Crave energy drinks are vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and contain no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Each beverage contains only 10 kcal. Crave comes in 250ml cans in three flavors–Passionfruit and Vanilla, Lime and Mint, and Pineapple and Coconut.

Lime & Mint

Crave Lime & Mint starts with lime and mint’s powerful aroma, with the lime overtaking the mint in an overall invigorating scent. We expected this combination of flavors to be refreshing, but it was a bit more sweet. The bubbles’ effervescence adds dimension for an exciting drinking experience, but the aftertaste was a bit too sweet for our tastes. Crave Lime and Mint finishes with a strong hint of mint, making it more distinctive than the other two flavors.

Pineapple & Coconut

Crave Pineapple & Coconut has a sweet and tempting aroma reminiscent of pineapple candy. We expected a bit more pineapple taste, but the coconut flavor overpowered the more tart and fruity pineapple in the blend. You experience the sweetness that comes from the BCAAs with a hint of coconut in the aftertaste. We feel like this flavor could have been amped up a bit to better mask the sweetness of the BCAAs.

Passionfruit & Vanilla

Crave Passionfruit and Vanilla has a delightful aroma that reminds us of Werther’s Original candy. This beverage was by far the sweetest of the three flavors, with the natural sweetness of the BCAAs shining through. Although enjoyable to sip, we wouldn’t recommend Crave Passionfruit and Vanilla to anyone who doesn’t enjoy sweet drinks.

Summary: Crave drinks bring some interesting and exciting flavor combinations to the world of energy drinks. The ingredients deliver a powerful punch of healthful natural energy. These drinks are a bit sweet and may be best served over ice with a splash of water or as a mixer.

 For more information visit Crave’s website. 

G.O.A.T. Fuel is a family-operated business co-founded by Rice, who serves as Executive Chairman. The drink is uniquely powered by cordyceps mushrooms, which provide athletes and beverage enthusiasts alike with increased oxygen performance and a clean boost of energy. Bolstered by natural caffeine and green tea to propel consumers, as well as BCAAs and 10 essential vitamins to improve recovery, the beverage features zero sugar and zero preservatives. The end result is sustained energy enjoyed by hip-hop mogul Snoop Dogg, NFL Legend Deion Sanders, NBA rising star Tyler Herro, and many more.

“GNC is one of the world’s leading brands in sports nutrition (or health and fitness) which makes them the perfect partner for G.O.A.T Fuel,” Rice said. “I’m very passionate about what I put into my body and share the same core values and beliefs as GNC to inspire others to Live Well by consuming health-forward products like G.O.A.T Fuel. We can’t wait to bring G.O.A.T Fuel to the world and motivate our community to become the greatest of all time.”

It hits shelves this week at GNC, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based American company selling health and nutrition-related products since 1935. It has grown to encompass nearly 2,500 stores, and serves as a revered resource for athletes and health enthusiasts throughout the country.

“GNC is thrilled to partner with Jerry Rice and the G.O.A.T. Fuel team to provide our consumers with the clean boost of energy they need to reach peak performance and work towards their wellness goals. For us, it’s not just about the results of a product, it’s also about what’s inside – and we’re confident through G.O.A.T. Fuel’s unique, healthy ingredients that we’re delivering the highest standards of quality and efficacy to our consumers. G.O.A.T. Fuel aligns with our commitment to help our local communities and help people around the world Live Well,” said Josh Burris, President, GNC.

Source: G.O.A.T. Fuel

Present-day the company is generating revenue with impressive year-over-year sales growth thanks to their retail presence in Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Kroger, Sprouts and Harris Teeter among other food and beverage retailers as well as a robust e-commerce operation shipping products directly to customers coast to coast.

Looking ahead, a study published by Market Study Report, LLC, the global Kombucha market size alone is expected to gain market growth in the forecast period of 2020 to 2025 and is expected to reach nearly $5 Billion by 2025 compared to just over $1 billion this year.  To capitalize on this upward trend, Kombucha Town plans to expand its product offerings to include a line of alcoholic products, a youth-oriented line of kombucha, performance-enhancing recovery drinks, and much more.

As an innovator in the rapidly growing functional beverage industry, Kombucha Town has positioned itself for continued growth. Their Live Seltzer not only combines two of the strongest emerging trends in the industry, seltzer products and probiotics, but it’s also affordable for the average consumer. Live seltzer is the first-ever probiotic seltzer water on the market with Zero Sugar, 1-2 calories per can and all-natural ingredients.

Kombucha Town is also on an environmental mission; all their products are Non-GMO, organic, fair trade and is a partner of “1% for the planet”. They also plant a tree for every case sold online to help restore forests and priceless animal habitats.

Thanks to equity crowdfunding anyone can be an investor in this exciting beverage producer.  Everyone is invited to look over the offer on StartEngine and consider making an investment.

Source: The Kombucha Town

A captain on the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and former lead American whiskey critic for Whisky Advocate, Minnick, a Wall Street Journal-bestselling author, tasted more than 600 whiskeys throughout the Pandemic. Throughout the year, Minnick tasted before live audiences amongst the various platforms. Minnick’s American Whiskey of the Year was taped live for YouTube and will later appear on Amazon Prime.

In a blind tasting, Minnick selected Pappy Van Winkle 15 year over categorical winners Sazerac 18-year-old rye whiskey (Best Rye), Barrell Bourbon Batch 26 (Best Blend of Straights), Journeyman’s Corsets, Buggy & Whips (Best Wheat Whiskey), Four Gate Batch 6 (Best Barrel Finish), MB Roland Corn Whiskey (Best Corn Whiskey), Slipknot’s No. 9 (Best Celebrity Whiskey), and St. George Spirits American Single Malt (Best American Single Malt).

However, Minnick notes a big winner was the sixth place finisher in the bourbon taste off: Spirits of French Lick’s Lee Sinclair Bottled in Bond.

“The truth is, 95% of the best American whiskey comes out of Kentucky and Tennessee,” Minnick says. “And if a small craft distiller in French Lick, Indiana, can out taste the likes of Knob Creek 15 year old, that shows the future of bourbon is bright.”

The winner Pappy Van Winkle 15 year certainly does not need another award, but Minnick notes it’s highly allocated for a reason. “When I tasted this blind, I was wowed,” he said. “The whiskey doesn’t lie, and that 15 year old bourbon is truly great and deserves this accolade.”

Best American Whiskey: Pappy Van Winkle 15 year old (Frankfort, Kentucky)

Bourbon Rankings:

1. Pappy Van Winkle 15 year old, 2020
2. William LaRue Weller, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, 2020 (Frankfort, Kentucky)
3. Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch, 2020 (Lawrenceburg, Kentucky)
4. Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #2 (Bardstown, Kentucky)
5. Booker’s 2020-2 (Clermont, Kentucky)
6. Spirits of French Lick Lee Sinclair (French Lick, Indiana)

Best Barrel Finish: Four Gate Batch 6

Best Blend of Straights: Barrell Bourbon Batch 26 (Louisville, Kentucky)

Best Celebrity Whiskey: Slipknot No. 9 Reserve Iowa Whiskey (Swisher, Iowa)

Best Rye Whiskey: Sazerac 18 year old, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, 2020 (Frankfort, Kentucky)

Best Corn Whiskey: MB Roland (Pembroke, Kentucky)

Best Wheat Whiskey: Journeyman Corsets, Whips & Whiskey, Batch 10 (Three Oaks, Michigan)

Best American Single Malt: St. George Spirits American Single Malt Lot 20 (Alameda, California)

Source: Minnick Media

Boost Coffee blend is made using the Laird Superfood Medium Roast coffee beans, functional mushroom extracts from Red Reishi and Maitake, Olive Leaf extract, and Agaricus mushroom powder. Each 12 oz serving has 15% of your daily Vitamin D needs when prepared using a wire filter.

This new blend of coffee made with nourishing, functional, and plant-based ingredients is available for pre-order now. As one of the first food and beverage companies to venture into the functional coffee space, Laird Superfood is ushering in the next wave for the coffee industry and setting the precedent for the future functionality of coffee.

Laird Superfood Boost Coffee ingredients:

• Organic Ground Medium Roast Coffee
• Olive Leaf Powder
• Organic Red Reishi Mushroom Extract
• Organic Maitake Mushroom Extract
• Organic Agaricus Mushroom Vitamin D Extract

With this launch, Laird Superfood introduces the first truly functional coffee that is as delicious as it is fueling. Each 12 oz. serving of Boost Coffee has 15% of an individual’s daily amount of Vitamin D when brewed according to directions. Upgraded to help consumers harness the benefits of thoughtful, functional ingredients and superfoods, Boost Coffee enhances the overall fueling experience.

“It has been a long-time goal to bring the first functional coffee blend to the superfood industry,” said Laird Hamilton, co-founder of Laird Superfood. “We believe that this new blend will radically change how we consume coffee. Once our customers experience the lasting benefits of the Boost Blend, they won’t want to return to a normal cup of coffee again.”

“In an effort to provide delicious, innovative products with functional benefits, we take normal, everyday rituals, such as your morning cup of coffee, to the next level,” said Sandy Egge, Director of Research & Development. “A morning cup can now deliver 15% of your daily value for Vitamin D, plus functional organic ingredients including Red Reishi, Maitake and Olive Leaf.”

In addition to the launch of Boost Coffee, Laird Superfood is launching three new items this month alone. The brand most recently introduced ACTIVATE Prebiotic Daily Greens supplements that are packed with superfood fruits and vegetables that nourish the gut microbiome.* Later this month, Laird Superfood is set to unveil Harvest Dates – a new plant-powered snack that provides a good source of fiber and can be added into smoothies and used for baking, as well as a limited-edition holiday coffee, Wonderful Winter Blend, that perfectly captures the delicious flavors of the season.

“This month we have launched four products that are meant to fuel every aspect of your day,” said Gabby Reece, Chief Brand Ambassador for Laird Superfood. “Whether looking to amplify your coffee, find a nourishing snack, or find balance internally, we want each item to be equally functional and easy to incorporate into a daily routine.”

Source: Laird Superfood