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Copacking An Adaptogen Mushroom Colas

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 02:12:20 GMT

Co Packing An Adaptogen Mushroom Cola

Adaptogen mushroom colas take a different approach on sodas. They still taste like a soda, but the adaptogen ingredients give the sodas something more valuable.

A mushroom soda is more than just a soda.

It's a functional beverages
An alcohol alternatives
A Low-sugar or better-for-you soda

If you are looking to manufacture a functional mushroom soda, this article will tell you more about this beverage category.

Understanding Adaptogens in Beverages

Adaptogens are defined by how they help the body respond to stress—supporting balance rather than forcing a specific effect.

In beverage form, this creates a different kind of consumer experience:

No sharp spikes or crashes
Subtle, sustained effects
A feeling of calm focus or steady energy

For mushroom soda formulation and copacking, the challenge is integrating these benefits without compromising taste, clarity, or shelf stability.

Key Ingredients in Adaptogen Mushroom Colas

Here are some popular mushroom cola formulations. The most compelling formulations today center around three standout mushrooms: cordyceps, lion’s mane, and reishi. Each beverage ingredient brings a distinct function—and a different opportunity for marketing your beverage.

Cordyceps: Energy Without the Edge

Cordyceps are widely associated with enhanced energy and endurance. This ingredient may support the body’s production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which fuels cellular energy.

In a soda format, cordyceps can:

Complement or reduce reliance on caffeine
Support physical and mental stamina
Appeal to consumers seeking a “clean energy” alternative

As a beverage, this ingredient opens the door to positioning mushroom cola as a next-generation energy drink—without the harshness.

Lion’s Mane: Cognitive Clarity

Lion’s mane has gained attention for its potential neuroprotective properties and its role in supporting nerve growth factor (NGF).

In beverages, it aligns beautifully with:

Focus and productivity messaging
Midday reset or “afternoon clarity” positioning
Functional sodas designed for work or creative flow

A mushroom soda infused with lion’s mane subtly shifts the category from indulgence to mental performance support.

Reishi: Calm and Balance

Reishi is often associated with relaxation and stress modulation. Rather than energizing directly, it helps regulate the body’s response to stress—creating a more even, sustained sense of well-being.

In adaptogen mushroom colas, reishi can:

Soften the intensity of stimulants
Create a “calm cola” or evening-friendly beverage
Support the growing alcohol-alternative market

There’s something unique about a cola that feels grounding rather than activating—it redefines what soda can be.

Formulation Considerations

Here's some details on formulating a functional mushroom soda.

Flavor Masking & Balance
Mushrooms carry earthy, sometimes bitter notes. Achieving a clean, familiar cola taste while incorporating adaptogens requires advanced formulation techniques.

Ingredient Stability
Adaptogenic compounds must remain stable through:

Carbonation
Heat (if pasteurized)
Shelf life over time

Functional Dosing
Delivering meaningful benefits without compromising flavor or regulatory compliance is a delicate balance.

Clarity vs. Cloudiness
Depending on extracts used, maintaining a visually appealing product can require filtration or specialized ingredients.

An experienced beverage copacker ensures that what works in a test kitchen still works at production scale.

Packaging Options for Functional Mushroom Sodas

Aluminum cans are an ideal packaging option for functional soda. Like botanical sparkling waters, adaptogen mushroom colas are thriving in canned formats.

Why Copack in an aluminum can

Protection
Cans limit light and oxygen exposure, helping preserve sensitive functional ingredients.

Portability
Perfect for on-the-go consumption, fitness settings, and social environments.

Brand Positioning
Sleek cans signal modern, functional, and premium—especially important for a category introducing unfamiliar ingredients.

Sustainability
Recyclable aluminum aligns with consumer expectations around environmentally responsible products.

For brands entering this space, packaging is more than functional—it’s part of how you make mushrooms feel approachable, even aspirational.

Why Copacking Is the Strategic Advantage

For large brands exploring this category, speed and precision matter. Building internal capability for something as specialized as adaptogen beverages is costly and time-intensive. Copacking adaptogen mushroom colas offers a faster, more flexible path.

What Big Brands Brings

Expertise in functional and adaptogenic ingredients
Scalable production without compromising formulation integrity
Regulatory and labeling guidance
Established sourcing for high-quality mushroom extracts
Faster route from concept to shelf

In a category that’s still emerging, the ability to move quickly—without sacrificing quality—can define market leadership.

Adaptogen mushroom colas are not just a trend—they’re a signal.

A signal that consumers want more from their beverages. More balance. More intention. More alignment with how they want to feel throughout the day.

For brands willing to step into this space thoughtfully, the opportunity is significant. But it requires care—both in formulation and in execution.

With the right ingredients, a clear functional story, and a strong copacking adaptogen mushroom colas s trategy, what seems unconventional today may very well become tomorrow’s standard.

Manufacturing a Plant-Based Protein Beverage

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:36:15 GMT

Manufacturing a Plant-Based Protein Beverage: What Brands Need to Know

Plant-based protein beverages have moved from niche health-food products to mainstream staples. From refrigerated smoothies to shelf-stable RTDs, consumers are reaching for convenient, functional drinks that align with wellness, sustainability, and lifestyle preferences.

For brands looking to enter this space, plant-based protein beverage manufacturing requires more than simply adding protein to water. Formulation, stability, taste, and processing all play a critical role in delivering a product that performs in the marketplace.

At Big Brands, we work with companies to develop and scale plant-based protein beverages that meet both consumer expectations and commercial production standards.

Let’s break down the opportunity — and what it takes to manufacture successfully.

Why Plant-Based Protein Beverages Are So Popular

Several trends are fueling demand:

1. Health & Wellness Focus

Consumers are actively increasing protein intake for muscle recovery, satiety, and weight management — even outside traditional fitness audiences.

2. Dairy Alternatives

Many consumers avoid dairy due to lactose intolerance, allergies, or dietary preferences. Plant-based protein beverages offer a dairy-free solution.

3. Clean Label & Sustainability

Pea, oat, soy, and hemp proteins are often perceived as more sustainable than animal-based proteins, aligning with environmentally conscious buyers.

4. Convenience

Ready-to-drink (RTD) protein beverages eliminate the need for powders, blenders, or prep time — making them ideal for busy professionals, parents, and athletes.

Types of Plant-Based Proteins Used in Beverages

Choosing the right protein source is foundational to successful manufacturing.

1. Pea Protein- One of the most popular options.

Benefits:

High protein content
Neutral color
Allergen-friendly
Good amino acid profile

2. Soy Protein - A long-standing plant protein with complete amino acids.

Benefits:

High-quality protein
Smooth texture potential
Strong functional properties

3. Brown Rice Protein - Often blended with pea protein to create a more complete amino acid profile.

Benefits:

Mild flavor
Hypoallergenic positioning

4. Hemp Protein - Appeals to natural and functional markets.

Benefits:

Fiber content
Omega fatty acids
Strong sustainability story

5. Oat & Other Emerging Proteins - Oat protein and seed-based proteins are gaining traction as brands innovate beyond traditional sources.

Blending multiple plant proteins is common to:

Improve amino acid completeness
Enhance texture
Balance flavor

Plant-Based Protein Formulation

Protein beverages are technically demanding. Success requires balancing nutrition, taste, and shelf stability.

1. Solubility & Suspension

Plant proteins naturally settle. Stabilizers and emulsification systems are often needed to maintain consistency.

2. Texture & Mouthfeel

Too thin feels watered down. Too thick feels chalky. Hydrocolloids, gums, and fat systems must be carefully balanced.

3. Flavor Masking

Many plant proteins have inherent off-notes. Natural flavors, cocoa systems, or sweetener blends help smooth the profile.

4. Sweetener Strategy

Options include:

Cane sugar
Monk fruit
Stevia
Allulose
Erythritol blends

Sweetener choice impacts calories, mouthfeel, and aftertaste.

Flavor innovation plays a major role in product differentiation.

Classic & Core Flavors

Chocolate
Vanilla
Coffee
Strawberry

These remain top sellers because they are familiar and versatile.

Functional & Indulgent Flavors

Mocha latte
Salted caramel
Cookies & cream
Peanut butter
Matcha

These appeal to consumers seeking a treat with health benefits.

Clean & Refreshing Options

Banana
Mango
Blueberry
Coconut
Vanilla almond

Fruit-forward flavors are especially popular in lighter, smoothie-style formulations.

Packaging Options

Plant-based protein beverages are commonly packaged in:

PET bottles
Tetra Pak cartons
Aluminum cans
Glass bottles
Packaging must align with:
Shelf life goals
Distribution channels
Brand positioning
Cost targets

At Big Brands, we help brands transition from concept to full-scale production by focusing on:

Protein selection strategy
Stability and shelf-life testing
Processing optimization
Packaging alignment
Regulatory compliance

The Opportunity Ahead

The plant-based protein beverage category continues to expand across fitness, wellness, and everyday convenience markets.

Consumers are no longer asking if plant-based protein works — they’re asking which brand delivers the best taste, texture, and functional benefit.

For companies ready to enter or expand in this category, the opportunity is significant — but execution matters.

If you're developing a plant-based protein beverage, Big Brands can help you formulate, manufacture, and scale with confidence.

Let’s build a product that performs — in both nutrition and the marketplace.

Ready to Make a Coconut Water Beverage?

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:30:21 GMT

From Tree to Can: How Coconut Water Is Manufactured for Today’s Beverage Market

Coconut water has become one of the fastest-growing categories in the beverage world — and for good reason. Naturally hydrating, packed with electrolytes, and loved for its refreshing taste, it’s a drink that feels both simple and luxurious. But how does it get from a fresh coconut on a tropical tree to a clean, shelf-stable can sitting in your fridge?

Whether you're a brand founder exploring your first product line or a beverage enthusiast curious about what goes into the process, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how canned coconut water is made.

1. It All Starts With the Right Coconuts

Not all coconuts are created equal. The best coconut water typically comes from young green coconuts, harvested at the moment when their water is naturally sweet and rich in nutrients.

Factors manufacturers consider:

Age of the coconut (usually 6–7 months)
Origin (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brazil)
Flavor profile (some regions produce nuttier, sweeter, or more floral water)
Sustainability and farming practices

This early sourcing step sets the tone for the final product’s quality.

2. Extracting the Water: Precision and Freshness Matter

Once harvested, coconuts are transported to a processing facility where the water must be extracted quickly to prevent oxidation.

Steps include:

Cleaning and sanitizing the outer shell
Drilling a precise opening to access the water
Using sterile, stainless-steel systems for extraction
Immediate cooling to preserve flavor and nutrients

Freshness is everything. Delays in this stage can lead to sourness, discoloration, or loss of nutrients.

3. Filtration: Keeping It Pure

Raw coconut water contains small pieces of husk, pulp, and natural sediment. Before it can be canned, it goes through a series of filtration steps.

Common filtration methods:

Microfiltration to remove solids
Carbon filtration to maintain clarity and remove off-flavors
Centrifugal filtration for premium-level purity

The goal is simple: clean, clear coconut water that s till tastes like it came straight from the fruit.

4. Pasteurization: Making It Shelf-Stable (Without Losing Flavor)

Coconut water is delicate and highly perishable. To make it safe and stable for retail shelves, manufacturers use pasteurization.

Two popular methods:

HTST (High Temp, Short Time) – quickly heats and cools the water to preserve freshness
UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) – creates a longer shelf life but can affect taste slightly

Some premium brands use alternatives like cold-fill or HPP, though these methods are more common with bottled products than cans.

5. Choosing the Right Can: Packaging That Protects Quality

Aluminum cans are increasingly popular for coconut water due to their:

Light protection (prevents oxidation)
Sustainability (100% recyclable)
Portability
Compatibility with flavor stability

But coconut water can be sensitive to metal interactions, so manufacturers use:

Specialized food-safe inner linings
Nitrogen dosing to protect freshness and prevent can paneling
Oxygen removal to maintain flavor

6. Filling & Seaming: Where the Magic Happens

At this stage, formulation turns into a finished beverage.

The production line includes:

Sterile filling systems to prevent contamination
Nitrogen dosing if needed
High-speed seaming machines that securely seal the can
Batch coding for traceability

Every can is checked for seam integrity, fill level, and pressure.

7. Quality Testing at Every Step

Coconut water demands rigorous quality control.

Testing includes:

pH
Brix (sweetness) levels
Microbial analysis
Flavor consistency
Shelf-life simulation
Can integrity tests

These checks ensure every batch tastes just like the last — and that it stays safe throughout its shelf life.

8. Shipping, Storage & Distribution

Once packaged, the cans need to be stored properly to maintain quality.

Manufacturers focus on:

Temperature-controlled storage
Pallet stability
Efficient regional distribution

The goal is to get the product to shelves quickly while preserving flavor and freshness.

Why Brands Choose Canned Coconut Water

Beyond taste and hydration benefits, coconut water is:

A fast-growing category in functional beverages
Perfect for single-serve convenience
Easy to flavor with mango, lychee, pineapple, passionfruit, and more
Aligned with health-conscious consumers

For new brands, it offers both simplicity and creativity — a clean base with room for innovation.

Looking to Create Your Own Coconut Water Beverage?

From formulation to sourcing to canning, developing a coconut water product requires the right partners. With the growing demand for clean, natural hydration, now is an ideal time to bring a new coconut-water-based product to life.

Whether you’re dreaming up a classic pure coconut water or an enhanced functional line with electrolytes, botanicals, or fruit blends, let Big Brands help you with your beverage project.

Top Beverage Trends of 2025

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:52:48 GMT

Top Beverage Trends of 2025

As we end 2025, the beverage world is doing more than just refreshing thirst—the trend has been for health, taste, sustainability, and innovation. From alcoholic drinks with lighter footprints to non-alcoholic alternatives that pack serious flavor and functionality, consumers are demanding more from what they sip. Whether you’re a casual drinker, wellness-focused, or someone who just enjoys a drink now and then, there’s something in these trends for you.

Here are the top health & lifestyle beverage trends dominating 2025, what’s behind them, and how they’re changing what we drink.

Why These Beverage Trends Are Important

Beverages are no longer just about flavor or refreshment, they’re a way for people to express their values, support wellness goals, and even address environmental concerns. Here are a few reasons why these trends are taking off:

Wellness is mainstream. More people see what they drink as part of their health plan, gut health, immune support, stress relief, better sleep, etc.

Moderation over excess. Many are choosing fewer drinks or drinks with less alcohol rather than all-out abstinence.

Environmental awareness. The source of ingredients, packaging, and production methods matter more now than ever.

Customization & identity. Drinks are becoming personal: what benefits you want; how you want them to taste; even what your mood is.

Top Beverage Trends for 2025

Here are the major trends reshaping what we see on menus and store shelves:

1. Functional Beverages Take Center Stage

It’s no longer enough just to quench thirst. Drinks are expected to do more: support digestion, boost mood, calm stress, help focus.

Adaptogens such as ashwagandha, rhodiola, and reishi are being used more in drinks designed for stress relief or mental clarity.

Prebiotics and probiotics are growing in popularity—think fermented drinks, kombuchas, gut-friendly sodas that help balance your microbiome.

Beverages with collagen for skin, joint, hair health, or added vitamins/minerals are more common, especially in non-alcoholic wellness lines.

2. Non-Alcoholic & Low-Alcohol Options Go Mainstream

There’s a noticeable shift toward beverages that provide the social and sensory experience of drinking without the hangover or heavy alcohol content.

Low-ABV (alcohol by volume) beers/wines and craft non-alcoholic spirits are growing in both availability and sophistication.

Mocktails and ready-to-drink “spirit-free” drinks are being crafted with premium ingredients to mimic the complexity of cocktails.

The “zebra striping” habit: alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic sips is becoming popular as part of moderating consumption.

3. Flavorful Nostalgia & Experimental Blends

People are reaching for flavors that comfort and surprise: childhood memories, nostalgic desserts, or unexpected pairings.

Nostalgic flavors like childhood sweets or drinks are seeing a revival, updated with more natural or healthier components.

Bold combinations are trending: miso-infused beverages, tangy botanical blends, or sweet-savory pairings that push boundaries.

4. Clean Labels & Reduced Sugar

With growing awareness of what goes into beverages, consumers are pushing back on artificial sweeteners, dyes, and unpronounceable ingredients.

Drinks with simple, recognizable ingredients are winning trust. Sugar is being reduced, or replaced by monk fruit, stevia, erythritol, or fruit concentrates.

Minimally processed, organic, plant-based ingredients are more desirable than ever. Artificial colorings, preservatives, and overly refined sugars are on the way out.

5. Hydration Reimagined: Enhanced Waters & Electrolytes

Water isn’t just water anymore. It’s being reinvented to deliver more utility while staying clean and simple.

Electrolyte-enhanced waters, vitamin-infused waters, and coconut water blends are popular among people who want hydration with perks.

Hydrogen-infused water and alkaline waters are niche but growing due to claimed antioxidant or balancing benefits.

6. Plant-Based & Alternative Bases Expand

The plant-based movement continues to stretch its roots (pun intended), not just in food but in drinks.

Alternative dairy milks remain strong, but there’s innovation in less common bases: pea protein, hemp, chickpea, even algae or nuts beyond almonds.

Drinks made from upcycled or “imperfect” produce are growing, better for the environment, often cheaper, and tapping into consumer desire to reduce waste.

7. Sustainability, Packaging & Production Ethics

How a drink is made, packaged, and sourced is now almost as important as how it tastes.

Brands are using recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging. Heavy plastics, single-use waste, etc., are being phased out.

Regenerative sourcing, ethical farming, reducing carbon footprint, being transparent about where ingredients come from, all matter to consumers.

8. Personalization, Mood & Tech-Driven Customization

Drinks in 2025 are not one-size-fits-all. They’re becoming experiences tailored to mood, need, or even time of day.

Mood-enhancing drinks: blends that help with calm, focus, sleep, energy management. Ingredients like L-theanine, magnesium, herbal adaptogens figure in strongly.

Customizable drinks or mix-and-match functional add-ons (vitamin boosters, adaptogen shots, etc.).
Smart tech and data: apps, subscription models, or kits that let consumers tailor drinks to their preferences, health goals, or even genetic profiles.

What This Means for You When Choosing What to Drink

With all this innovation, you don’t have to compromise, whether you enjoy alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic ones, or like switching it up. Here are some ideas for applying these trends in your own life:

Try a non-alcoholic spirit or mocktail that uses botanical or herbal flavors instead of sugary mixers.
If you drink alcohol, look for lower-ABV cocktails so you get flavor but with a lighter impact.
Explore enhanced water or electrolyte blends for post-workout or hot days.
Pick drinks with clean labels and ingredients you recognize. It often means fewer artificial additives and better alignment with health goals.
Be mindful of packaging, choose reusable bottles, and brands that aim for a minimal environmental footprint.

Final Thoughts

2025 is a turning point for beverages. The trends point to deeper awareness, not just about flavor or novelty, but about what drinks do for us: our bodies, our minds, our planet. Whether it's choosing a craft mocktail, drinking enhanced water, or taking a mood-boosting botanical blend, the options are richer, more intentional, and more aligned with a holistic idea of wellness.

Whatever your preference, boozy or booze-free, functional or relaxing, there’s a drink trend in 2025 that matches your values and lifestyle. Raise a glass (or a mug) to that.

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Co Packing Powdered Electrolytes

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:58:13 GMT

Co packing Powdered Electrolytes

Creating a Powdered Electrolyte Drink for Mass Production

As demand grows for convenient, functional hydration, powdered electrolyte drinks are leading the market in sports, wellness, and everyday hydration. They’re lightweight, shelf-stable, and cost-efficient to produce—making them ideal for both large-scale manufacturing and consumer use.

Why Choose a Powdered Electrolyte Formula?

Co packing a powdered electrolyte offer several advantages over ready-to-drink beverages:

Shelf-stable: Long-lasting and doesn’t require refrigeration.
Lightweight: Lower shipping costs and minimal storage needs.
Customizable: Easily formulated for specific markets—athletic performance, everyday wellness, keto-friendly hydration, or hangover recovery.
Convenient: Easy to mix with water anywhere, anytime.

Key Benefits of Co Packing a Powdered Electroylte for Consumers

Faster Hydration: Replenishes electrolytes and fluids lost through sweat, heat, or activity.
Improved Muscle Function: Helps prevent cramping and fatigue by maintaining the right balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
Supports Recovery: Promotes muscle repair and energy restoration post-workout.
Enhances Focus and Stamina: Balanced electrolytes aid nerve function and cognitive clarity.
Encourages Consistent Hydration: A flavorful, functional way to help people drink more water throughout the day.

Formulating a Powdered Electrolyte Blend

A successful powdered electrolyte formula balances performance, taste, and absorption. Below are the most important ingredients and forms to consider:

1. Sodium (200–500 mg per serving)

Sodium is the most critical electrolyte for fluid balance and hydration. It helps retain water in the body and supports nerve signaling.
Preferred forms:

Sodium Citrate: Gentler on the stomach, slightly tart, helps regulate pH balance.
Sodium Chloride (Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt): Classic form that supports fluid retention and adds a natural mineral profile.
Sodium Bicarbonate: Useful for buffering acid buildup during high-intensity exercise.

2. Potassium (200–400 mg per serving)

Potassium works with sodium to regulate muscle contractions, heart rhythm, and nerve function.
Preferred forms:

Potassium Citrate: Highly bioavailable and less bitter taste.
Potassium Chloride: Commonly used and cost-effective, though may taste slightly salty.
Potassium Gluconate: Milder flavor, good solubility.

3. Magnesium (100–150 mg per serving)

Essential for over 300 biochemical reactions, including muscle relaxation and energy production.
Preferred forms:

Magnesium Citrate: Excellent absorption, pleasant tartness.
Magnesium Glycinate: Gentle on digestion, often used in premium blends.
Magnesium Malate: Supports endurance and ATP (energy) production.

4. Calcium (50–100 mg per serving)

Supports muscle contraction and bone strength, balancing the effects of magnesium.
Preferred forms:

Calcium Citrate: Well absorbed and neutral taste.
Calcium Lactate: Highly soluble, ideal for powdered blends.

5. Chloride (150–250 mg per serving)

Helps maintain proper fluid balance and stomach acid levels.
Preferred source: Sodium or potassium chloride (naturally provides chloride ions).

Functional & Optional Additions for Your Powdered Electrolyte Formula

To differentiate your product and enhance its benefits, consider these functional ingredients:

Coconut Water Powder: Natural source of potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants.
Trace Mineral Complex (from sea salt or ionic minerals): Adds depth and mineral variety.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Supports immune function and collagen repair.
B-Complex Vitamins (B3, B6, B12): Aid metabolism and energy production.
Zinc Gluconate: Supports immune health and recovery.
Adaptogens (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, or Ginseng): Reduce fatigue and help the body handle stress.
L-Citrulline or Taurine: May enhance endurance and hydration efficiency.

Flavor & Sweetener Options

Modern consumers prefer clean-label ingredients. Choose natural and low-sugar flavor options to meet market trends:

Flavors: Lemon-lime, berry, watermelon, mango, orange, or tropical fruit.
Sweeteners: Stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, or small amounts of cane sugar for improved mouthfeel.
Acidulants: Citric acid or malic acid for a refreshing tartness.
Texture and Mixability: Use anti-caking agents like silicon dioxide and fine-grind ingredients for fast dissolving.

Manufacturing & Production Tips

For large-scale production, work with an experienced nutraceutical manufacturer or co-packer . Key considerations:

GMP Certified Facility: Ensures safety and quality control.
Water-soluble formulation: Fast-mixing powders with no clumping or residue.
Flavor testing: Develop and test multiple versions for palatability.
Shelf-life testing: Confirm stability of ingredients and flavor over time.
Packaging: Use moisture-resistant stick packs or resealable pouches for freshness.

Final Thoughts

Co packing powdered electrolyte drink is one of the most versatile and scalable wellness products on the market today. By combining science-backed ingredients with clean, natural flavoring and strong branding, your formula can stand out in a crowded space.

Whether you’re creating a product for athletes, everyday hydration, or premium wellness consumers, focus on balance, bioavailability, and taste —and you’ll have a product that delivers real results and long-term success.

Non-alcoholic Beverage Copacking

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 03:52:19 GMT

Manufacturing Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Trends, Formulation, and Packaging

Looking to mass-produce non-alcoholic beverages? Explore key trends, formulation tips, and packaging strategies to succeed in the booming non-alcoholic and zero-proof drink market. Learn how to create flavorful, layered beverages using herbs, spices, and unique flavor combinations that appeal to health-conscious and trend-aware consumers. Understand why taste, health, inclusivity, and mindful drinking are critical factors driving non-alcoholic beverage demand. Discover practical packaging options, from 750ml glass bottles to aluminum cans, and learn how effective labeling and design can enhance shelf appeal. Stay ahead in the growing non-alcoholic segment with insights from expert beverage formulators and co-packers. Perfect for entrepreneurs, beverage startups, and manufacturers looking to innovate, increase consumer appeal, and create high-quality, enjoyable non-alcoholic drinks. Maximize product success by combining market trends, strategic flavor development, and creative packaging to meet the needs of today’s discerning consumers.

The market for non-alcoholic beverages is booming. Consumers are increasingly looking for healthier choices, flavorful alternatives, and beverages that fit a mindful lifestyle. From zero-proof spirits to craft sodas and mocktails, the non-alcoholic beverage segment is growing rapidly. Big Brands is your experienced non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer. We flavorful, high quality non-alcoholic drinks.

Market Trends Driving Non-Alcoholic Beverage Production

Non-alcoholic beverages are popular for several reasons:

Health Consciousness: Many consumers are seeking alternatives that support better health. Non-alcoholic options often have fewer calories, lower sugar content, and better hydration benefits.
Lifestyle Choices: Individuals who prioritize sobriety, are in recovery, or simply choose not to drink alcohol are driving demand for high-quality non-alcoholic drinks.
Social Inclusivity: Non-alcoholic beverages make social gatherings more inclusive for those avoiding alcohol for personal, cultural, or religious reasons.
Mindful Drinking: A growing trend toward intentional consumption encourages people to enjoy the social rituals of drinking without the effects of alcohol.
Diverse and Flavorful Options: Advances in beverage production have enabled manufacturers to offer sophisticated flavors, from premium mocktails to non-alcoholic spirits and craft sodas.
Curiosity and Trends: Consumers are exploring new flavors and formats, often guided by social media trends or recommendations from peers.
Safety and Practicality: Drivers, parents, and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals prefer non-alcoholic options for safety and convenience.

Understanding these trends is crucial for beverage manufacturers aiming to create products that resonate with consumers.

Formulating a Non-Alcoholic Beverage

Creating a non-alcoholic beverage that stands out requires careful attention to flavor, balance, and appeal . Our team of non-alcoholic beverage formulators can help you create a great tasting non-alcoholic beverage. Some key considerations for formulating a non-alcoholic beverage include:

Flavor Layers: To make a beverage taste complex and satisfying, incorporate layers of flavors. Herbs and spices such as cloves, cinnamon, or black pepper can add uniqueness and depth.
Consumer Appeal: Taste is the most important factor for repeat purchase. The beverage should be enjoyable and provide a sensory experience that encourages consumers to come back.
Formulation Goals: Identify the target consumer and their preferences, such as lower calories, natural ingredients, or unique flavor profiles. Your formulation should align with these expectations.

Tip: Experimentation is key. Work with beverage formulators to balance sweetness, acidity, and aromatic notes to create a distinctive non-alcoholic product that stands out in the market.

Non-Alcoholic Packaging Considerations

Packaging plays a crucial role in the success of a non-alcoholic beverage. Consider these factors:

Bottle or Can Options: Non-alcoholic beverages can be packaged in 750ml glass bottles, aluminum cans, or other formats. The choice affects shelf appeal, storage, and convenience.
Labeling and Branding: Highlight health benefits, flavor notes, and the non-alcoholic nature clearly. Attractive, modern designs can appeal to a health-conscious and trend-aware audience.
Practicality: Ensure packaging is functional, protects flavor integrity, and is convenient for consumers.

To succeed in the growing non-alcoholic beverage market it's important to create a non-alcoholic product with exceptional flavor, as consumers expect a high-quality, enjoyable taste experience. It’s important to align formulations and marketing with current trends, including health and mindful drinking. Innovation is key—unique flavor combinations, creative use of spices, flavors, and varieties can help a product stand out in a crowded market. Finally, strategic packaging and creative label designs is essential to attract customers that fit the demographics of your target market.

By understanding the motivations behind non-alcoholic beverage consumption—health, lifestyle, social inclusion, and taste—manufacturers can create products that resonate with today’s discerning consumer.

Prebiotic Sodas: Benefits, Popular Brands, and How to Make Your Own

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:44:08 GMT

Prebiotic Sodas: Benefits, Popular Brands, and How to Make Your Own

Prebiotic sodas are quickly becoming one of the hottest health beverage trends. These fizzy, flavorful drinks do more than quench your thirst—they support your gut health, aid digestion, and provide a delicious alternative to traditional sugary sodas.

In this guide, we’ll cover the benefits of prebiotic sodas, the different types on the market, and how we can help with prebiotic soda copacking.

What Are Prebiotic Sodas?

Prebiotic sodas are carbonated drinks infused with prebiotic fibers that feed the good bacteria in your gut.

Common fiber sources include:

Chicory root
Jerusalem artichoke
Cassava root

Unlike probiotics, which introduce new bacteria, prebiotics nourish the healthy bacteria you already have, helping them flourish and improving your digestive balance.

Key Benefits of Prebiotic Sodas

Adding prebiotic sodas to your routine can offer several health benefits:

Supports gut health – Feeds and strengthens beneficial gut bacteria.
Improves digestion – Helps reduce bloating and promotes regularity.
Boosts immunity – A healthy gut microbiome is linked to a stronger immune system.
Lower sugar content – Many prebiotic sodas have less sugar than traditional soft drinks.
Flavor variety – From fruity blends to herbal infusions, there’s something for every taste.

Popular Prebiotic Soda Brands

The prebiotic soda market is growing fast, with several standout brands:

Poppi – Fruity flavors with apple cider vinegar for extra digestive support.
Olipop – Nostalgic flavors like Vintage Cola and Root Beer, with high fiber content.
Culture Pop – Unique flavor combos like watermelon lime and orange mango chili.
Health-Ade Pop – Cold-pressed juice and plant-based prebiotic fiber.

These brands make it easy to swap your usual soda for something healthier without losing the bubbly satisfaction you crave.

Copacking Your Own Prebiotic Soda

While store-bought prebiotic sodas are convenient, homemade prebiotic sodas offer big advantages:

Customization – Control flavor, sweetness, and fiber type.
Fewer additives – Skip preservatives and artificial sweeteners.
Cost savings – More affordable if you drink them daily.

How to Co Pack a Prebiotic Soda

Let Big Brands help manufacturer your prebiotic soda involves balancing health benefits, great taste, and large-scale production efficiency.

1. Research & Development (R&D)

Identify your target audience (e.g., health-conscious millennials, athletes, parents).
Choose your prebiotic fiber source (chicory root, inulin, agave fiber, etc.).
Develop a flavor profile that’s refreshing yet functional.

2. Formulation & Testing

Work with food scientists to create stable, palatable formulations.
Ensure fiber blends dissolve well in carbonated liquids.
Conduct taste panels to fine-tune sweetness, acidity, and mouthfeel.

3. Sourcing Ingredients

Partner with reliable suppliers for natural, high-quality fibers .
Choose natural flavors, juices, or herbal extracts to appeal to clean-label trends.

4. Carbonation & Production Line

Decide between small-batch artisanal production or high-volume automated lines .
Ensure carbonation levels are consistent across batches.

5. Packaging & Branding

Opt for cans or bottles that protect carbonation and fiber integrity.
Design eye-catching labels highlighting gut health benefits and clean ingredients.

6. Regulatory Compliance

Meet FDA and local regulations for nutritional claims and ingredient labeling.
Test products for stability and shelf life.

7. Distribution Strategy

Target natural food stores, grocery chains, and online marketplaces.
Consider direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales through an e-commerce platform.

Why Manufacturer A Prebiotic Soda Market

The functional beverage market is projected to grow rapidly, and prebiotic sodas are at the intersection of two major trends: gut health and clean-label products. By creating a well-branded, high-quality prebiotic soda, manufacturers can tap into an audience willing to pay a premium for drinks that taste great and support their health. Big Brands is here to help copack prebiotic sodas!

Functional Energy Drinks & Plant Based Caffeine Sources

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:22:15 GMT

Functional Energy Drinks & Plant Based Caffeine Sources - The Healthier Alternative

When you're low on energy, it's tempting to reach for the nearest can of soda or high-sugar energy drink. But more people are realizing that quick fixes come with a crash—and long-term consequences. That’s where functional energy drinks come in, especially those that use green tea as a clean, natural source of caffeine. Big Brands can help you manufacture your functional energy drink.

Not all caffeine is created equal—and today’s functional drinks are proving that you can get energy without compromising your health. Unlike traditional energy drinks that rely on synthetic caffeine and sugar spikes, functional beverages use cleaner, plant-based sources of caffeine that support focus, balance, and well-being.

Here are some of the most popular healthier caffeine sources in functional energy drink manufacturing:

Green Tea

One of the most trusted natural energy boosters, green tea contains a moderate dose of caffeine (plus L-theanine), which promotes calm alertness without the crash. It’s the perfect combo for steady energy and mental clarity. Traditional energy drinks often rely on synthetic caffeine, excessive sugar, and artificial stimulants that spike your energy—then leave you crashing. Green tea, on the other hand, offers a gentler, more balanced boost thanks to its naturally occurring L-theanine, an amino acid known to promote calm focus and reduce jitteriness.

Guarana

Sourced from a plant native to the Amazon, guarana naturally contains caffeine and is often used in functional drinks for longer-lasting stimulation. It releases more slowly than synthetic caffeine, helping prevent spikes and crashes.

Yerba Mate

Used traditionally in South America, yerba mate is rich in antioxidants and provides a smooth, sustained lift in energy and mood. It’s often favored for its combination of alertness and focus.

Matcha

A powdered form of green tea, matcha delivers a more concentrated dose of caffeine and antioxidants. It’s prized for supporting both mental clarity and metabolic health.

Green Coffee Extract

These are made from unroasted coffee beans or the whole coffee fruit, offering milder caffeine plus natural antioxidants like chlorogenic acid, which may help with metabolism and inflammation.

We want to feature a new functional energy drink, IS-BE that goes beyond energy. They use functional ingredients and antioxidants that support the whole body with a curated list of functional, health-promoting ingredients:

Caffeine from organic green tea – for clean, sustained energy

Vitamin C – to support immunity and cell repair

Magnesium + Zinc – essential minerals for focus, muscle recovery, and mood

Celtic Sea Salt + Potassium – natural electrolytes for hydration and balance

Organic flavors and clean ingredients – no junk, no fillers, no regrets

This functional energy drinks use organic green tea to deliver 100mg of clean caffeine—just enough to give you clarity and stamina without the crash. It’s energy that works with your body, not against it. IS-BE also has 3 tasty flavors - way to go IS-BE!!

Functional energy drinks that incorporate these natural, plant-based caffeine sources help you stay energized without overstimulating your nervous system. Whether you're sipping green tea–based ISBE, a yerba mate infusion, or a matcha tonic, you're choosing energy that supports—not sabotages—your body.

Ditch the Junk

Unlike conventional energy drinks that leave you wired and dehydrated, ISBE contains no artificial sweeteners, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no synthetic additives. Just real ingredients with real benefits.

Energy With Intention

Whether you’re heading into a workout, powering through meetings, or balancing work and family, ISBE offers functional energy that supports your lifestyle. It’s not just about keeping you awake—it’s about helping you thrive.

This isn’t just an energy drink. It’s a daily ritual of support, clarity, and care.

Big Brands can help you manufacture a functional energy drink.

Protein Water Copacking - Benefits and How To Copack Canned Protein Water

Tue, 06 May 2025 16:38:39 GMT

Copacking Protein Water in a Can - Benefits and How To

Why Protein Water in a Can Is the Next Big Thing: A Win for Consumers and Beverage Co-Packers

In an era where health consciousness and convenience go hand-in-hand, functional beverages are rapidly reshaping what it means to stay hydrated and nourished. Among these innovations, protein water in a can is emerging as a frontrunner—offering not just hydration, but also a lean nutritional boost in a sleek, portable package. So, why would someone drink it? And how you can have your protein water in a can co packed?

Let’s explore both sides.

Why Drink Protein Water in a Can?

Copacking a protein water in a can has its benefits. Below we've outlined the reasons why.

1. Convenience Meets Nutrition

Busy schedules don’t always allow for sit-down meals or post-gym shakes. Protein water delivers 10–20 grams of high-quality protein in a lightweight, grab-and-go format—no blender, no cleanup. Ideal for the gym bag, office, or car cupholder.

2. Low Calorie, Low Sugar, High Impact

Many protein waters are designed to be low-calorie and low-carb, especially appealing to those on keto, low-sugar, or weight-loss journeys. Unlike traditional protein shakes, there’s no dairy heaviness or bloated feeling.

3. Hydration with Benefits

It’s water—so it hydrates. But it also supports muscle recovery, satiety, and even skin health depending on added ingredients like collagen or electrolytes. Think of it as hydration 2.0.

4. More Eco-Friendly Than Plastic Bottles

Aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable, unlike many single-use plastic bottles. For eco-conscious consumers, canned protein water is a small but meaningful way to make a difference.

5. Flavor and Function

Modern consumers expect more than just utility—they want taste, too. Many protein waters come in a variety of refreshing flavors like berry, citrus, or tropical blends, often without artificial aftertastes.

Why Manufacture Protein Water in a Can?

1. Tapping into a Growing Market

The global functional beverage market is expected to exceed $200 billion in the next few years. Protein water sits at the intersection of fitness, wellness, and convenience—key drivers of consumer behavior today. Canned protein water is the better way to enter the growing market.

2. Low Barrier to Entry with High Upside

Compared to traditional food or supplement production, canned protein water offer a scalable entry point. With contract manufacturers, private labeling, and co-packing options, it's easier than ever to launch a ready-to-drink product line.

3. Brand Loyalty Potential

If you offer a clean label, great taste, and authentic branding, the potential for repeat buyers is significant. Health-minded consumers are often looking for daily staples—and if your protein water checks their boxes, they’ll come back.

4. Cross-Market Appeal

Protein water appeals to athletes, busy professionals, aging populations, and even casual wellness seekers. It’s not limited to the “hardcore fitness” crowd.

5. Innovative Branding Opportunity

From minimalist, premium designs to fun and energetic labels, cans allow for creative branding that pops on shelves and in social media posts—key for building buzz and consumer engagement.

The Takeaway

Protein water in a can is more than a trend—it's a smart evolution in the way people nourish themselves on the go. For consumers, it's an easy win for wellness. For entrepreneurs and brands, it’s a chance to meet rising demand with a versatile, high-margin product.

As the world moves faster, smarter, and healthier, don’t be surprised if canned protein water becomes the next essential in your fridge—or your business portfolio. Let Big Brands manufacture your canned protein water today!

Co packing Hydrogen Water & Benefits of Hydrogen Water

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 20:13:24 GMT

Co packing Hydrogen Water - The Benefits of Hydrogen Water

Hydrogen water is water that has been infused with molecular hydrogen (H₂), which is a gas. The idea is that by dissolving hydrogen gas into the water, you can get a drink that has antioxidant properties and may offer health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Big Brands provides hydrogen water co packing and hydrogen water formulation services.

Why do people drink hydrogen water?

Antioxidant properties : Molecular hydrogen is believed to act as a powerful antioxidant. It’s thought to help neutralize free radicals in the body, which are molecules that can cause oxidative stress, potentially leading to cell damage and various chronic diseases.

Potential health benefits : Some studies suggest that hydrogen water may offer a range of benefits, including:

Reducing inflammation
Improving energy levels
Enhancing athletic performance and recovery
Supporting brain health and cognitive function
Reducing the risk of certain diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease

Anti-aging claims : Due to its antioxidant effects, hydrogen water is often marketed as an anti-aging product, with claims that it helps to slow down the aging process by reducing oxidative damage to cells and tissues.

Sports and recovery : Athletes sometimes use hydrogen water to reduce muscle fatigue, improve recovery after exercise, and enhance overall performance, as the hydrogen may help reduce oxidative stress caused by intense physical activity.

Hydration and detox : Some believe that drinking hydrogen water may aid in detoxification, improve hydration, and support the body's natural detox processes, although these claims aren't universally supported by scientific evidence.

More About Hydrogen Water

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has emerged as an innovative trend in the health and wellness sector, gaining attention for its potential therapeutic properties. It’s believed to offer powerful antioxidant effects that can neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, playing a crucial role in reducing oxidative stress. Through its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms, HRW has shown promise in mitigating damage caused by oxidative stress, offering a holistic approach to supporting overall well-being.

The potential benefits of hydrogen-rich water extend across a wide range of health concerns, including enhancing exercise performance, improving physical endurance, supporting liver function, and promoting cardiovascular health. Additionally, research suggests HRW may offer benefits for mental health, aid in managing oxidative stress, and even assist in anti-aging research. It has also been explored for its potential role in improving outcomes for conditions like COVID-19 and other health conditions impacted by inflammation and oxidative damage.

Hydrogen-rich water, also known as hydrogenated or hydrogen-infused water, is created by dissolving molecular hydrogen gas (H2) into regular water under high pressure, resulting in a supersaturated solution. These small hydrogen molecules are able to easily permeate water, staying dissolved for extended periods, which enhances their bioavailability. Over the past few decades, research involving both animal and human studies has explored the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of HRW. Although promising, the field is still in the early stages, with much more to discover about its full potential.

As hydrogen-rich water continues to gain popularity, it has become a rising star in the global health and wellness market. Numerous studies have examined its effects on various medical conditions, such as cardiac fibrosis, neurodegenerative diseases, liver injury, diabetes, and radiation-induced diseases, among others. While the research continues to evolve, hydrogen water stands at the forefront of natural, functional beverages with the potential to support a wide array of health benefits.

Let Big Brands manufacture your hydrogen water beverage project.

The Basics of Beverage Manufacturing and Beverage Formulation

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 05:12:45 GMT

The Basics of Beverage Manufacturing and Beverage Formulation

Understanding Beverage Manufacturing and Beverage Formulation Terminology

In beverage formulation and beverage manufacturing, there are several specialized terms that refer to various ingredients, processes, and techniques. These terms are used to describe the components, methods, and quality control procedures in the creation of drinks. Here are some common terms:

Ingredients and Additives:

Base : The primary liquid or mixture that forms the bulk of a beverage, often water, juice, or tea.
Flavoring : Natural or artificial substances added to provide a particular taste or aroma to the beverage.
Sweetener : Ingredients used to add sweetness to a beverage, such as sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or sugar alcohols (e.g., sorbitol, stevia, aspartame).
Acidulant : An ingredient that provides acidity or tartness to balance sweetness, such as citric acid, malic acid, or phosphoric acid.
Preservative : Substances that inhibit the growth of microorganisms to extend shelf life, like sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, or citric acid.
Emulsifier : A substance that helps blend ingredients that don’t naturally mix, such as oils and water, e.g., lecithin.
Stabilizer : A substance that helps maintain the uniformity or consistency of the beverage, preventing separation or crystallization.
Colorant : Natural or synthetic substances used to add color to beverages, such as beet juice powder or artificial dyes (e.g., Red 40).
Fortifying Agent : Ingredients added to enhance nutritional value, such as vitamins, minerals, or protein.
Extracts : Concentrated substances derived from plants or fruits to impart flavor, such as vanilla extract, herbal extracts, or fruit juice concentrates.

Ingredients and additives are normally part of the beverage formulation process.

Processes:

Pasteurization : A heat treatment process that kills or inactivates harmful microorganisms in beverages, typically at temperatures between 60°C to 85°C (140°F to 185°F).
Homogenization : A mechanical process that breaks down fat molecules in milk-based or creamy beverages to ensure uniformity and prevent separation.
Carbonation : The process of dissolving carbon dioxide (CO₂) into a beverage to create effervescence or fizziness, commonly used in sodas and sparkling waters.
Filtration : The removal of particulate matter, microorganisms, or impurities from the beverage using various filtration methods (e.g., membrane filtration, activated carbon).
Microencapsulation : A process that involves coating an ingredient (like flavoring or vitamins) with a protective layer to control its release and stability in the beverage.
Fermentation : A metabolic process used in alcoholic and some non-alcoholic beverages, where yeast or bacteria convert sugars into alcohol, acids, or gases.
Cold Pressing : A juice extraction technique that uses hydraulic pressure instead of heat to retain more nutrients and flavor.
Blending : The process of mixing different ingredients or beverage components to create a uniform product.
Aseptic Processing : A method of sterilizing beverages and packaging them in a sterile environment to extend shelf life without refrigeration.

Beverage process terminology is used in beverage formulation and beverage manufacturing. It's important to determine the beverage processes when working on the formulation of your beverage product. Once the formulation expert has determined the beverage processes used, the beverage manufacturing team will make your product based on the beverage process above and beverage requirements.

Quality Control and Testing:

Brix : A measurement of the sugar content in a liquid, expressed as a percentage by weight. Commonly used in fruit juices and soft drinks.
pH Level : The measure of acidity or alkalinity in the beverage. Beverage pH can impact taste and shelf life.
Viscosity : A measure of the thickness or flow resistance of a liquid, important for texture and mouthfeel in beverages like smoothies, dairy drinks, and syrups.
Turbidity : The cloudiness or haziness of a beverage, which may be caused by particles or microorganisms in suspension.
Sensory Analysis : A method of evaluating the sensory characteristics (taste, smell, color, texture) of a beverage through human perception.
Shelf Life : The length of time a beverage remains stable, safe, and of acceptable quality under specific storage conditions.
Microbiological Testing : The process of testing for the presence of harmful bacteria, yeasts, molds, or pathogens in the beverage to ensure safety.
Standardization : The process of adjusting the formulation or production process to ensure consistency and uniformity in flavor, texture, and appearance.
Packaging Integrity : Ensuring that the packaging is sealed, durable, and free from defects to prevent contamination and preserve quality.

Beverage Manufacturing and Equipment:

Blender : A machine used to mix and combine ingredients in beverage production, especially for smoothies, juices, and other emulsified drinks.
Filler : A machine used to fill containers (bottles, cans, etc.) with the finished beverage.
Capping/Sealing : The process of sealing bottles or containers to ensure that the beverage remains free from contamination.
Tunnel Pasteurizer : A system used to heat and cool beverages rapidly for pasteurization purposes.
Filling Line : The assembly line of machines used in the bottling and packaging process, including filling, capping, labeling, and sometimes packaging.

Beverage Types:

RTD (Ready-to-Drink) : Beverages that are pre-packaged and ready to consume without further preparation.
Functional Beverages : Drinks designed to offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, such as energy drinks, sports drinks, or probiotic beverages.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages : Drinks that do not contain alcohol, including juices, sodas, teas, and functional waters.
Soft Drink : A sweetened, flavored non-alcoholic beverage, typically carbonated.
Hard Drink : A beverage that contains alcohol, such as beer, wine, or spirits.
Concentrate : A highly concentrated form of juice, flavor, or other beverage components that can be diluted before consumption.

Understanding beverage manufacturing and beverage formulation terms can help with designing, producing, and ensuring the quality of a wide range of beverages. The beverage formulation process often involves balancing various beverage ingredients, techniques, and quality standards to meet consumer preferences and regulatory requirements.

Why you should have your beverage formulated by the same company who manufactures your beverage

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 02:02:57 GMT

Having your beverage formulated by the same company that manufactures your beverage can offer several advantages in terms of quality control, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Big Brands provides you with both the same company to formulate your beverage and manufacture your beverage. Here are some key reasons why it makes sense:

1. Quality Control

- Consistency: When the same company does the beverage formulation and manufacturing of your beverage, they can ensure that the product is consistently produced to meet exact specifications. This reduces the risk of variability in taste, texture, and appearance.

- Tighter Integration: Your beverage formulation team has direct oversight of the manufacturing process, which allows them to adjust formulations based on production feedback, ingredient quality, or any other real-time factors that may arise during production.

2. Cost Efficiency

- Reduced Communication and Coordination Costs: When beverage formulation and beverage manufacturing are handled by different entities, there can be inefficiencies in communication, resulting in additional costs or delays. A single company handling both tasks reduces these overheads. Let Big Brands be the company that formulates and manufacturers your beverage.

- Streamlined Supply Chain: A unified approach means that the company can better optimize the supply chain, potentially reducing costs related to sourcing ingredients, packaging, and logistics.

- Lower Development Costs: By working with one company, you can often access a more cost-effective solution for both the R&D phase and large-scale production. Companies can build efficiencies into their processes that save money at each stage of development and manufacturing.

3. Faster Time to Market

- Better Coordination: When both beverage formulation and beverage manufacturing are under the same roof, changes or adjustments can be implemented more quickly, leading to faster product iterations or rollouts.

- Fewer Delays: Since both teams are aligned and there are no external stakeholders involved, any issues that arise in either the formulation or production stage can be addressed immediately, reducing delays.

4. Customization and Flexibility

- Tailored Solutions: The company that formulates and manufactures your beverage is more likely to be flexible and open to customization, as they have a better understanding of the production capabilities and constraints.

- Quick Iterations: If there is a need to adjust the product based on market feedback, consumer demand, or regulatory requirements, it’s easier to make quick changes when the same company is handling both formulation and production.

5. Regulatory Compliance

- Streamlined Compliance: The manufacturer-formulator is likely to be better attuned to industry regulations, including ingredient restrictions, labeling laws, and safety standards. Having both functions under one roof ensures that all aspects of the product—from development to manufacturing—meet regulatory guidelines.

- Certifications and Standards: If you are seeking certifications like organic, gluten-free, or non-GMO, it’s easier to meet those requirements when the same company is in charge of both the formulation and manufacturing processes, ensuring consistency and compliance at every stage. Big Brands can provide you with those certification standards.

6. Innovation and Expertise

- Leverage Internal Knowledge: Companies that both formulate your beverage and manufacture your beverage often have a deep understanding of both ingredients and production technologies. This allows them to innovate and suggest novel ingredients or techniques that enhance the quality or appeal of the beverage.

- Informed Problem Solving: If there are production-related challenges (e.g., flavor degradation, ingredient sourcing issues), the formulators will likely be on-site and can more effectively address these challenges in real time, ensuring the product remains on track.

7. Stronger Partnership

- Long-Term Collaboration: A close relationship between beverage formulation and beverage manufacturing teams fosters stronger collaboration. Both sides are invested in the success of the product, and any issues or improvements are dealt with proactively.

- Shared Goals: A unified team is more likely to align on the goals of the beverage, whether it’s taste, health benefits, sustainability, or other key factors, ensuring a cohesive product vision.

8. Control Over Intellectual Property (IP)

- Protecting Formulation Secrets: If a beverage formulation is unique or proprietary, working with a single company reduces the risk of IP leakage or disputes, as you don’t have multiple entities involved who could potentially have access to sensitive formulation details.

Conclusion

By having the same company handle both your beverage formulation and beverage manufacturing, this helps ensure a more streamlined, cost-effective, and high-quality beverage development process. It allows for better control over product consistency, a quicker time-to-market, and a more flexible, responsive approach to product development. Ultimately, this partnership reduces the chances of miscommunication or inefficiency and helps ensure that the final product matches your vision.

How to Manufacture and Formulate a Canned Water Beverage

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 05:16:03 GMT

How to Manufacture and Formulate a Canned Water Beverage

Learn more about co-packing an formulating a canned water product.

This article reviews the rise of canned water from the manufacturing and formulating of your canned water to the consumer benefits of manufacturing a canned water product.

Big Brands can provide beverage manufacturing services and beverage formulation services for your canned water product.

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Getting Started

The beverage production of canned water is a precise manufacturing process, starting from sourcing the water, to formulating your water beverage by deciding on flavoring or carbonation, to choosing the property water packaging, to filling and sealing the cans. Here's how it typically works:

1. Sourcing Water for Canned Water Manufacturing: Canned water can be sourced from various sources, including spring water, purified municipal water, or even mineral water, depending on the brand's positioning. The water is typically filtered to remove impurities and ensure it meets health and safety standards. Big Brands can manufacture spring water, reserve osmosis water, and distilled water.

2. Canned Water Formulation: Once you have decided on the source of your water, you may want to consider adding extra vitamins, minerals, flavoring and/or carbonation of your canned water. Some brands add trace minerals back into the water for taste or health benefits or even added salt. Adding hints of flavoring or carbonation to your canned water product would be in the flavored sparkling water category.

3. Type of Packaging: After you decide on the beverage formulation of your canned water, it’s time to think about the type of packaging you want for your canned water. Aluminum canned options include: the 8 oz, the 12 oz and the 16 oz pull tab cans and the can with a cap with the 24 oz resealable can.

4. Sealing and Packaging: Once the cans are filled, they are sealed with a tight lid to prevent any contamination. The cans are then labeled and packaged for distribution. Many brands use eco-friendly inks and materials for labeling to further reduce their environmental footprint.

5. Quality Control: Throughout the entire process, there are strict quality control measures to ensure that your canned water remains clean, safe, and fresh. Samples may be tested for microbial contamination, water pH, and taste consistency to ensure the highest quality product reaches consumers.

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Flavoring Canned Water

While plain water is the most common form of canned water, flavored canned water has become a popular trend, catering to consumers who want a refreshing taste without the added sugar or artificial ingredients typically found in sodas or flavored bottled waters.

The flavoring process for canned water is straightforward and typically involves infusing natural flavors, often through the use of fruit extracts or essences. Here’s how flavoring is generally done:

1. Natural Flavoring: Many canned waters use natural extracts or essences from fruits, herbs, and spices to flavor their canned water. These flavors are typically free of sugar, calories, or artificial additives. Common flavors include lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, berries, or exotic combinations like hibiscus or elderflower. Big Brands can help with your canned water formulation.

2. Carbonation: Some brands also add carbonation to their flavored water, creating a fizzy, refreshing experience similar to sparkling water or soda. Carbonation is typically added during the canning process, right before sealing, by injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) into the water.

3. No Preservatives: One of the biggest appeals of flavored canned water is the absence of preservatives or added sugars. Most companies focus on offering a clean, healthy alternative to sugary drinks, and the flavor comes solely from natural ingredients.

We provide more details on beverage flavoring in our formulation, flavoring and ingredients section o n our home page .

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Consumer Benefits of Canned Water

Canned water offers a range of benefits to consumers that are driving its popularity. These benefits go beyond simple hydration and address growing concerns about environmental sustainability, health, and convenience.

Environmental Sustainability:

- Reduction in Plastic Waste: One of the key selling points of canned water is its eco-friendliness. Aluminum cans are 100% recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. This contrasts with plastic bottles, which, despite being recyclable, often end up in landfills or the ocean due to poor recycling rates.

Lightweight and Efficient Packaging: Aluminum cans are more compact and lighter than glass or plastic bottles, making them easier to transport and store, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

Healthier Hydration:

- No Added Sugars or Chemicals: Unlike flavored sodas or many bottled waters that contain added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives, canned water—especially the flavored varieties—offers a clean, calorie-free, and chemical-free hydration option. This makes it an attractive alternative for consumers seeking a healthier lifestyle.

- Trace Minerals: Some canned waters, especially those sourced from natural springs or mineral-rich sources, may contain beneficial trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, or potassium, which can provide additional health benefits.

Convenience:

- Portability: Cans are durable, lightweight, and portable, making canned water a great option for on-the-go hydration. Whether at the gym, on a hike, or commuting, cans are easy to carry and can be disposed of responsibly when finished.

- Long Shelf Life: Canned water typically has a long shelf life, allowing consumers to stock up without worrying about the water spoiling. Additionally, the sealed aluminum can ensures that the water stays fresh until it’s opened.

Appeal to Trend-Conscious Consumers:

- Premium Branding: Many canned water brands position themselves as premium products, offering sleek, stylish packaging and marketing focused on sustainability and wellness. This has made canned water a popular choice among consumers who want to align their purchasing decisions with their values around health and the environment.

- Customization: With flavored canned waters, consumers can enjoy variety and customization. From sparkling citrus blends to more exotic flavors like cucumber-mint, canned waters can cater to different taste preferences without relying on sugary, unhealthy drinks.

Restrictions on Single Use Plastic Bottles

On a recent vacation, our hotel was stocked with reusable, aluminum water bottles with water filling stations around the hotel. Several cities and airports in the US have banned the sale of single use plastic water bottles.

San Francisco
The city banned the sale of single-use plastic water bottles in late 2020 and expanded the ban in 2021 to include other beverages. The San Francisco International Airport also banned the sale of single-use plastics in 2019.
Los Angeles
In June 2023, the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) banned the sale of single-use plastic water bottles.
Truckee, California
This Northern California town banned the sale of single-use plastic bottles in stores to reduce the environmental impact of tourism.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts was the first state to enact a procurement ban on single-use plastic bottles. Hingham passed a municipal and retail ban in May 2023.
Hawaii
Currently looking to ban the sale of single use plastic water bottles at certain facilities. including city facilities and events.
National parks
The Department of the Interior signed an order in June 2022 to phase out the sale of single-use plastics at national parks, refuges, and other public lands through 2032.

If you are considering manufacturing a water product, we’d recommend you package your water beverage in an aluminum can.

In recent years, canned water has emerged as a sustainable and innovative alternative to bottled water, gaining popularity among eco-conscious consumers and businesses alike. Canned water, typically sold in aluminum cans, offers a new way to hydrate while reducing the environmental impact associated with plastic bottles. But how is canned water made, flavored, and why are consumers choosing it over traditional bottled water? In this article, we explore the manufacturing process, the trend of flavoring canned water, and the benefits it offers to consumers.

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Types of Canned Water

Just Water is another canned water product made of 100% spring water. The water comes in both a recyclable can with a screw top lid or plant based carton packaging option. Their water is naturally alkaline. The product has a great story about the founder on their website, “JUST was inspired by a young man's quest to do better. While learning to surf, a ten-year-old Jaden Smith saw a plastic bottle floating next to him in the water. Unable to shake the image of plastic polluting the Pacific, he decided to do something. What began as an introduction to the impact humans have on the environment became a Smith family obsession to do good.” On their home page they have a picture of a can of water and a backpack next to it. That image now makes me think we need to rethink water options in our school and for our children.

Path canned water is ultra-purified, reverse osmosis filtered water is packaged. Path encourages the world to #refillit. Their website also answers the question of why aluminum? Because 70% of the material used in aluminum cans is recycled into new products and infinity is the number of times you can recycle it, unlike other materials.

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Conclusion

The rise of canned water represents a shift toward more sustainable, healthy, and convenient hydration options. Big Brands will help you manufacture high-quality canned water beverages. With its eco-friendly packaging, health benefits, and increasing popularity, canned water is poised to play an essential role in the future of hydration in the beverage marketplace. Whether for environmental reasons, health concerns, or simply a desire for something refreshing, it’s time to manufacture your canned water product.

Beverage Formulation Guide

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:30:12 GMT

Beverage Formulation Guide

Crafting the Perfect Sip: A Guide to Beverage Formulation for Startups

In the fast-paced world of beverage startups, the key to standing out in a crowded market lies in the art and science of beverage formulation. Whether you’re launching a fizzy drink, a healthy functional elixir, or an artisanal coffee blend in a can, understanding the specifics of the beverage formulation process is crucial for success. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this exciting journey.

Understanding Your Market

Before you even begin formulating your beverage, it’s essential to conduct thorough market research. Identify your target audience and analyze current trends. Are consumers leaning towards healthier options, or is there a growing demand for innovative flavors? Platforms like social media and market analysis tools can provide insights into consumer preferences and emerging trends.

Defining Your Concept

Once you’ve identified your target market, it’s time to define your beverage concept. What makes your drink unique? Consider aspects such as:

Flavor Profile: What flavor notes do you want to emphasize? Sweet, spicy, tart, or earthy?

Functional Benefits: Will your drink provide hydration, energy, or health benefits like antioxidants or probiotics?

Specific Ingredients: What ingredients will be unique to your beverage product?

Brand Story: Crafting a compelling narrative can enhance consumer connection. Is your beverage rooted in tradition, sustainability, or innovation?

Ingredients Matter with Beverage Formulation

The ingredients you choose as part of your beverage formula will shape not only the taste but also the uniqueness of your beverage. Here are some considerations:

1. Base Ingredients: Depending on your drink type, this could be water, tea, coffee, or even juices. Ensure the base ingredient aligns with your concept and target market.

2. Sweeteners: Decide whether to use sugar, artificial sweeteners, or natural options like honey or agave. Remember, consumers are increasingly health-conscious, so offer transparency about your choices.

3. Flavor Enhancers: Herbs, spices, and natural extracts can elevate your beverage. Experiment with combinations to find the perfect balance that resonates with your audience.

4. Preservatives and Additives: Natural preservatives like citric acid or ascorbic acid can extend shelf life while maintaining quality. However, prioritize clean labels and avoid unnecessary additives to appeal to health-focused consumers.

The Art of Balance

Achieving the perfect flavor balance is both an art and a science. Here are some tips:

- Tasting Sessions: Regularly taste your beverage formulation to identify areas for improvement. Gather feedback from trusted peers or potential consumers to fine-tune flavors.

- pH Levels:The acidity of your beverage can greatly affect flavor and preservation. Use pH meters to monitor and adjust levels as necessary. The pH of your product is also something to consider with beverage co-packing.

- Carbonation and Texture: If your drink is carbonated, experiment with different levels of fizziness. Texture can also enhance the drinking experience, so consider elements like thickness or smoothness.

Scaling Production

Once you’ve perfected your beverage formula, consider how to scale production. Big Brands not only is a beverage formulator, but a beverage co-packer. We not only help streamline the process, but we have a knowledgable beverage team to help with your beverage formulation and beverage co-packing . Conduct small batch tests before large-scale production to maintain consistency.

Regulatory Considerations

Navigating regulations can be daunting, but is essential for any beverage startup. Familiarize yourself with local and federal guidelines regarding labeling, safety, and health claims. Big Brands has legal experts to ensure compliance, rules and regulations, especially if your drink has unique health benefits or is an alcoholic beverage.

Marketing Your Beverage

With your beverage formulation ready, it’s time to think about marketing. Leverage social media, influencer partnerships, and local events to create buzz. Storytelling will be key here; share your journey and the passion behind your beverage to forge connections with consumers. We can also help with the initial marketing of your beverage product.

Conclusion

Starting a new beverage business is a thrilling and intricate process that requires creativity, research, and a keen understanding of your audience. By focusing on quality ingredients, flavor balance, and a compelling brand story, you can create a product that not only quenches thirst but also resonates with consumers. So roll up your sleeves, start experimenting, and get ready to sip your way to success!

Launching a Seasonal Beverage

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 03:13:54 GMT

Launching a Seasonal Beverage - Stir Up Some Spooktacular Sales

When I was doing my weekly shopping at Trader Joes, I was surprised by the Halloween themed wine, cider and beer. One endocarp at Trader Joes has a red wine called Dearly Beloved with a skull label and another red wine called Witch’s Brew. Another endocarp had a section with pumpkin ale called Howling Gourds and a pumpkin cider called the Gourd Tree.

It’s October so it’s time to think of pumpkin spice and everything nice. Halloween is just around the corner. Big Brands is not new to manufacturing Halloween themed beverages. We co-packed a synthetic blood product in a pouch called Blood Energy Potion. It was fantastic fruit punch flavor, co-packed in pouch that resembled a real blood bag, and was sold at Hot Topic and even shipped to far odd places like Australia and Norway. If the blood things wasn’t enough, it was rumored that emails would be received by real vampires saying the blood energy potion quenched their thirst for blood. Big Brands can help manufacture your Halloween themed beverage. , we believe that every sip should capture the magic of the season. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our limited-edition Pumpkin Spice drink, perfect for celebrating the fun of Halloween!

As the crisp autumn air settles in and Halloween approaches, there's no better time for your beverage to unveil an exciting new line of seasonal beverages. Consider making adding a limited edition Halloween product to your line of beverages. Your seasonal Halloween beverage formula can be crafted with flavors like pumpkin and nutmeg that capture the essence of the season. Not only does a seasonal product enhance you product lineup, but it also taps into the spirited fun of Halloween while meeting consumer demand for unique, seasonal offerings.

The Importance of Expanding Your Beverage Lineup

In today’s competitive beverage market, innovation is key. Adding a seasonal line, particularly one tailored for Halloween or Christmas, allows your beverage company to differentiate your brand and capture the attention of consumers looking for something special. Seasonal products often lead to increased sales and brand loyalty, as customers eagerly anticipate the return of their favorite flavors each year. You can also create hype by having a limited release of your seasonal beverage.

Moreover, Halloween is no longer just a single day of celebration; it’s a whole season of festivities. From fall festivals, to cozy gatherings around the fire, and truck or treating, consumers are seeking drinks that enhance their experience.

The Fun and Flavor of Halloween

Halloween is a time for consumers to explore new flavors and embrace the whimsical spirit of the season. Starbucks made the pumpkin spice craze popular. In 2024, Starbucks released their new Iced Apple Crisp Non-dairy Chai . Starting in August, Starbucks starts selling their other fall themed beverages like Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, and Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato. As a special edition, Starbucks has 2 iced hall inspired beverages available only for purchase on their app. These 2 beverages are not available to all customers, only ones who have their app. If you have a canned coffee beverage company, take some notes from Starbucks for some twists on popular flavors.

Another Halloween inspired beverage brand is The Pathfinder. From the cover of their Facebook page with an ouija board, to their website and even product packaging d esign, The Pathfinder is a brand who embraces Halloween. This non-alcoholic hemp beverage also has a flavor profile of a cool fall evening or winter day. The company describes the products as a blend of, “wormwood, Angelica root, ginger, sage, juniper, sapprong, orange peel and wild-crafted Douglas fir.” The Pathfinder is a creative company i n beverage branding and package design.

Dog Fish Head Brewery has a seasonal beer. Their beer formulation has the flavor profile is described as, “a full bodies brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin, brown sugar, and spice. The name of the beer comes from an annual events that was originally held in Southern Delaware called the Punkin Chunkin, where contestants build devices like slingshots, catapults, and pneumatic cannons to hurl pumpkins as far as they possibly can.

Their Halloween beer features rich pumpkin notes and a hint of nutmeg, providing a delightful, warming flavor profile that is perfect for fall. Meanwhile, our seasonal wine blends hints of spiced pumpkin with traditional varietals, creating a unique taste experience that’s both refreshing and festive.

Another brand to highlight would be an alcoholic beverage called Rattlesnake Rosie’s Pumpkin Pie Whiskey by Iron Smoke Distillery. This pumpkin pie whiskey is described as, “the ultimate fall experience featuring a blend of natural pumpkin with hints of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and vanilla. Slip on a sweater, jump into a leaf pile, and “autumn-up” your old fashioned.” Iron Smoke also includes recipes on how to use their Pumpkin Pie Whiskey.

Enjoy Mocktails takes the fall flavors and elevates the non-alcoholic beverage sector with their Apple Pie Bourbon. It sounds like we’ve got all the pies covered at the Thanksgiving table now. The tasting notes of this non-alcoholic beverage are, “flavors of apple, cinnamon, brown sugar, graham crackers and bourbon.” This sounds like a warm glass of goodness!

When creating a seasonal beverage, your beverage formula should include ingredients and tastes that represent that season. For fall inspired beverages, flavors like pumpkin, cranberry, pear, caramel, apple, nutmeg, cinnamon, and even turkey, if you wanted to be extra creative.

How About Those Ciders?

Apple and pear cider reminds me of fall time with the refreshing taste and touch of sweetness. If you are thinking of co-packing a cider product, Big Brands is able to co-pack non-alcoholic ciders and alcoholic ciders.

Understanding Consumer Spending Trends

Consumers spend during Halloween time. As soon as the kids are going back to school, pumpkins are rolling out. This time of year is an opportunity that brands cannot afford to overlook. According to recent reports, Halloween spending reached over $10 billion last year, with a significant portion allocated to food and beverages. Shoppers are looking for unique, festive options to enhance their celebrations, and our new beer and wine line is perfectly positioned to meet this demand.

Moreover, Halloween is not just about costumes and candy; it’s about creating experiences. As consumers increasingly seek out specialty beverages to complement their seasonal gatherings, our pumpkin and nutmeg-infused drinks are sure to capture attention. By offering high-quality, unique products, we can tap into this lucrative market and drive significant sales during the season.

Join Us in the Celebration

This article is written during fall time, but if you are interested in co-packing your seasonal beverage, it’s important to get started on the beverage formulation process as quickly as possibly. Many retailers do their Halloween buying in February. You may have a great fall beverage idea now, so it’s important to start discussing your beverage needs with a co-packer and formulator. By embracing seasonal flavors and trends, you are not just expanding your product line; you’re also deepening our connection with consumers who are eager to celebrate Halloween in style.

Choosing a Beverage Formulation Company

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 20:43:06 GMT

Choosing a Beverage Formulation Company

Want to know the best advice for choosing a beverage formulation company? The best advice for a new beverage company or one who has been selling beverages for years, is to have the same beverage development company handle both your beverage formulation and manufacturing needs. Big Brands is that company! By having your beverage formulated by both a beverage copacking company and a beverage formulation company, we understand how to apply your beverage formula in a manufacturing setting. Not only is the beverage formulator knowledgeable about the science behind a beverage formula, but the beverage production manager also makes recommendations based on the packing requirements of a beverage product and your beverage development team is familiar with lab batching, beverage filling and packaging. Keep your beverage formulation and beverage packaging all in the same place!

Here are several reasons why choosing a beverage formulation company that also serves as a manufacturer is crucial.

1. Seamless Communication: When the formulator and manufacturer are the same, there's often less risk of miscommunication or misunderstandings. Your beverage formulation team at Big Brands prides themselves on communication and quick follow through. You may hear from your team member late at night or even on the weekend - that is because your beverage project is their priority. Big Brands follows your product and communicates with their experienced team. This communication process can lead to smoother transitions from beverage formulation to beverage production, as the formulator is already familiar with the manufacturing process and constraints and the manufacturer is familiar with the beverage formulation process and science behind understanding a beverage formula.

2. Better Quality Control: By having all beverage team members involved from the start of the beverage formulation process to the manufacturing of the finished product, all involved can ensure the final product meets the standards of consistency, taste, and appearance. Integration between beverage formulation and manufacturing can improve quality control. The formulator understands the production processes and can make adjustments to the recipe to ensure it translates well from the lab to the production line, ensuring consistency in the final product.

3. Cost Efficiency: Big Brands communicates the cost of a beverage from the start of the project. We understand our customers beverage budget and how ingredients, packaging and co-packing processes can affect the price of your beverage product. Streamlining both functions with the same entity can reduce costs associated with coordinating between separate companies. It can also minimize redundant processes and improve overall efficiency, potentially lowering beverage production costs.

4. Faster Time-to-Market: With a complete team of beverage formulators, beverage scientists, experts in the beverage industry and a manufacturing team, the beverage product development cycle can be quicker. Any necessary tweaks or adjustments can be implemented more rapidly, speeding up the time it takes to bring the beverage product to market.

5. Innovative Solutions: A team of beverage experts that both understand beverage formulation and beverage manufacturing can easily experiment with new ideas and innovations. They can quickly test and refine beverage formulations based on immediate feedback from the production side.

6. Enhanced Problem-Solving: They say 2 heads are better than one. This is true with the beverage formulation and manufacturing process. If issues arise during manufacturing, having the beverage formulator directly involved can facilitate quicker problem resolution. They can immediately address any beverage formulation-related concerns that impact production, leading to more effective troubleshooting.

7. Streamlined Compliance: Regulatory and safety compliance can be more straightforward when the same entity is responsible for both beverage formulation and beverage manufacturing. Your team is better equipped to ensure that all aspects of the product meet regulatory standards and can handle documentation and certification processes more efficiently.

8. Consistency and Reliability: Using the same team for all stages of the beverage formulation process to the beverage manufacturing process can enhance the consistency of the final beverage product. The beverage manufacturer understands the intricacies of the beverage formulation and can maintain the desired quality and characteristics throughout production.

In summary, having the same beverage formulator and beverage manufacturer can lead to a more cohesive, efficient, and responsive development process, ultimately contributing to a higher quality product and a more streamlined path to market. When choosing a beverage formulation company, Big Brands is your beverage formulation experts.

How to design a beverage label in 9 simple steps

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 02:44:22 GMT

How to design a beverage label in 9 simple steps

One of our customers is wanting to add a line of ice cream inspired beverage flavors to their brand and I was researching some label design ideas. During the creative process, I decided to create a reserouce to help others in the beverage label design stage. This article is great for those who are designing, redesigning or creating a new beverage label. Below goes over the process of designing a beverage label in 9 simple steps.

I’ve designed numerous label concepts and understand the design process and relating the look of the label to the key features of your brand. If you haven’t done any work on defining your brand, you may want to look into our Brand Development service, Brand Vibe, getting to know all about your beverage and the vision of the brand. With this service you get a brand board with design concepts while identifying the main concepts . These concepts and ideas of your brand are key to creating a product and label that speaks to and mirrors the vision of your brand.

These helpful steps will give you the information you need to have a beverage label that you will be proud of, the customers will

STEP ONE The beverage formulation

Before you put ideas down on paper, you want to have a clear vision of what type of product you are making. If you are making a drink with coconut and lime flavors, then you may want to have coconut and lime on the label. If you are still figuring out the beverages formula, you may decide to switch some ingredients. If you take to the label design process too early, you may end up spending time with multiple revisions since you’re still deciding on the formula of your beverage. If you are 80% sure on the beverage commutation process and waiting on some slight modifications, then I’d say it’s time to take the next step towards creating your label. The design process can be a creative and exciting one. If you want to work on the design process at the same time as the formulation process, start with brainstorming ideas. Have a notebook handy, take screen shots and photos of ideas of labels you like and start the research process. If you’ve landed on our page and are unhappy with the current beverage formula you have or need help with your beverage formulation, contact us to help with your beverage formulation needs.

STEP TWO The product name

You may already have the name of your company and the name of your brand or product may be different. When we had our energy drink company, we called it Buzz Beverages and the product name was Wild Buzz. You can have the same business name as your product or you can create something different. The name of your beverage is what would be on the beverage’s label. When researching names, you’ll want to do a trademark search to make sure the name is not being used. When coming up with the name of your beverage, you want to also make sure the website is available and social media handles. Adding the work drink before your beverage name or the word beverage after the name could be a creative way to use the drink name and social media handles. For example, mangodrink .com is an available domain name, but it’s $1700/ year. If you change the name to spicymangodrink .com,it’s only $21 for the year for the beverage domain name. As an extra tip, having the word spicy and mango in your domain name will help with search engine optimizations (but that’s a whole other topic).

For this resource, I'll be using a coconut lime beverage as an example beverage. Some ideas for names would be something tropical like Cocoloco or Lime in the Coconut or Tropical Teaser. The name of your beverage could be something different all together like the blending of 2 names or initials or the city where you first had the idea for your product. TC's Miami Mix could be one of those examples or Hawaii Limeade. The name of your beverage is unique and special. Come up with a list of 10 possible names and test them, sleep on it and ask others their opinion. There are companies that will help you name your beverage. Wix actually has a free business name generator.

STEP THREE The vibe - The look, feel, message of the product and the brand

Before you start the design process, what is the vibe that your product has? When looking at the coconut lime beverage idea the vibe may be a tropical feel, relaxed and refreshed feeling when someone drinks the beverage and sees the label. Our Brand Development service goes into the brand vibe. If our coconut lime beverage has a relaxed feel, the colors may want to be relaxing colors like blue and green. With a tropical feel to the brand, we may want to add palm trees, or a background texture similar to water. If the label design team would use reds and oranges with flames and bright colors, that wouldn’t translate into a relaxed and refreshed product. Your design board, at this stage of the beverage label design process, would include inspiration photos. Maybe those photos are someone walking on the beach or a tropical sunset. When someone hears the name of your product how do you want them to feel? What words come to mind with your brand? If someone tastes your product, what do they tell you it tastes like? Many times, research on your brand can come from others who have tasted it and like it. When we do product testing of our own branded products, many times, revising the beverage flavor and taste is done with other family members. Have fun with your beverage and do a tasting with those near and dear to you to get their feedback on the vibe of your beverage.

You also want to appeal to your target market. The people who are buying your product should be the ones that your label speak to. Would they be the ones reaching for your design concepts or will they choose another brand over yours?

During the time that your creatives are come out is the time for you to test, revisit, refresh and refine your ideas. This is the time to search out, this is the future of your beverage brand.

STEP FOUR Start the creative process

A great place to start with getting creative is by doing a Google search. I get a lot of ideas by searching through images and finding what stands out to me. If we are using the coconut lime beverage as an example, here’s some ideas that I came up with that matched the vibe of a relaxed and refreshing beverage. There were certain things that stood out to me when I did a a Google search. Also, I like to visit the drink section at local grocery stores, health food stores, mom and pop shops and Bev Mo. You can get a lot of inspiration from looking at what other companies are doing.

There is inspiration all around you. All you have to do is look for it! Hang out in the spots your target market hangs out in. Visit places and do things someone who is buying your product would do - take a hike, ride a bike or

For fonts that you like for your beverage label DaFont is great website where you can test the look of certain fonts. Canva is another great software program that is easy to use, has a lot of images and font options.

STEP FIVE Deciding on the type of packaging you are going to use.

When it comes to the actual design process of your beverage label, you want to know what packaging you are working with. Certain products require a label, think of a wine bottle for this example. A wine bottle has a label that is applied to the wine bottle. While other packaging has a printed label on the packaging itself, like a canned product or even a glass bottle where the label is printed directly on the beverage packaging. Your whole design concept is organized around the size of packaging and the space that your designer has for your beverage label.

STEP SIX The essential parts of your beverage label

There are parts of the beverage label that all beverage labels should have. To learn more about the specific parts of what the requirements are for beverage labels see our resource guide here . There are about 12 elements of your beverage label that all products need to have.

Beverage labels must meet specific requirements, which can vary depending on the country or region where the product is sold. There are common requirements for beverage labels, particularly in the U.S., under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

Make sure to check the specific regulations and requirements. That’s why I’d important to hire an experienced company like Big Brands, LLC to oversee your beverage project. If your beverage label does not have the essential requirement, that could mean reprinting our label or can. Having to do a reprint could be a costly mistake.

STEP SEVEN Putting it all together

Now that you have all your ideas, concepts, fonts, colors and label requirements you can start designing your beverage label. Our graphic artists use high quality design software that is compatible with either a label manufacturer or can or bottle company. There are many different components that go into the design process and you need to have a design professional in place. Our team has experience in beverage label design. Big Brands also has long standing relationships with beverage label and beverage packaging companies.

STEP EIGHT Proofs, testing and final stamp of approval

When manufacturing a beverage product, it is key to use quality vendors for each process of the project. When using Big Brands, we work with top quality label manufacturers and package suppliers. We look over the proofs for our stamp of approval and provide our customers with the knowledge to give their stamp of approval on their finished beverage label. Some labels have a test printer or customers are able to attend can productions and work directly with the label manufacturer. It is vital that Big Brands provides our expertise to our customer with each step of the beverage development process.

STEP NINE The product is ready!

After the label has been approved and tested, the beverage manufacturing process starts. Since, your formula was in the approval process before your label was designed, the timeline and flow of your beverage project is progressing positively. We believe there is an order to the beverage manufacturing process. Our customers move along the beverage manufacturing process smoothly and quickly, while maintaining accuracy and efficiency.

Below are some examples of a tropical lime and coconut beverage that fits the vibe of our example product:

The Essentials of a Beverage Label

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 02:24:36 GMT

The Essentials of a Beverage Label

When designing your beverage label, there are essential components that need to be on all beverages. Below are the beverage label requirements. For assistance with your beverage label, let Big Brands create your beverage label for your project.

I dentity Statement

Produc t Name - The label must clearly state the name of the beverage, such as "orange juice" or "cola."

Product Type - It should be evident what type of beverage it is (e.g., "soft drink," "fruit juice").

Net Quantity

Amount - The label must indicate the net quantity of the product in both metric (liters, milliliters) and U.S. customary units (gallons, ounces). Many times, the net quantity is found on the front of the product and on the back nutritional label panel.

I ngredients List

Ingredients - All ingredients must be listed in descending order of prominence by weight.

Additives - This includes any added preservatives, colorings, or flavorings.

The ingredients and additives are part of the back panel of the beverage label. Sometimes, because there is not enough space on the label, the ingredients are listed on the side of the beverage versus under the nutritional facts panel.

Nutrition Facts

Nutritional Information - This includes calorie count, serving size, and amounts of nutrients like fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. This is called a nutritional facts panel.

A llergen Information

Allergens - Common allergens (such as milk, soy, peanuts) must be clearly disclosed.

Ma nufacturer Information

Name and Address - The label must include the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor.

E xpiration Date

Date - Some beverages may require a "best by" or "use by" date to indicate freshness and safety.

Health Claims

Claims - Any health-related claims (e.g., "low in fat" or "high in vitamin C") must comply with FDA regulations and be substantiated. Here is the information on the claims that are valid https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/authorized-health-claims-meet-significant-scientific-agreement-ssa-standard .

Country of Origin

Origin - If the beverage is imported, the label might need to state the country of origin.

Barcodes/UPC Codes

Code - For retail purposes, a Universal Product Code (UPC) or barcode is often required. A UPC is many times used to track a product and for inventory control in stores.

Warnings and Special Instructions

Warnings - Any necessary warnings or special storage instructions (e.g., "Keep refrigerated" or "Shake well before use" or “consult a doctor before consuming”) must be included. Another warning would be for an alcoholic beverage https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-16

Alcoholic Beverages

Additional Regulations - If the beverage contains alcohol, additional labeling requirements from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) apply, including specific statements about the alcohol content.

The Beverage Buzz

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 23:02:37 GMT

THE BEVERAGE BUZZ

Highlighting beverage brands and the things they do the best. Get ready to learn more about beverage on the market, new trends, things with are loving, and tasty sips.

NEW CREATIONS SODA WORKS

I came across this Banana Creme Soda and had to try it! This soda is from New Creation Soda Works. The company has 6 other flavors including Peaches, a Georgia peach soda, Root 42, an old time root beer, Hopscotch, a dry hopped ginger ale, Jack’d, a strawberry habanero soda, Krumkake, a butter pecan cream soda, and Split, a banana creme soda. This company has a nice variety of flavors to complete their product line. Add more flavors to your product profile and have a new beverage formulated by Big Brands.
(photo from New Creation Soda Works)

WITCHES BREW

In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted to highlight Witches Brew, a seasonal red wine with spices added. I first came across this wine at Trader Joes, but found that you can also buy it at Target. Witches Brew is described America’s favorite Halloween wine. This seasonal beverage is described as a wine that is layered with traditional mulling spices. It sounds like the wine is a mulled wine since the description also says you can enjoy the wine warm.

SUN SIPS - SODA WITH BENEFITS

Sun Sip is a functional soda. Their soda contains prebiotics, vitamins and minerals. Their sodas contains, gut healthy prebiotics, vitamins C, B6, and B12, and the minerals zinc and selenium. Sun Sips comes in flavors like lemon lime, raspberry lemonade cherry cola, strawberry vanilla, root beer and peach .

We like how they took a traditional soda and made it fancy by adding vitamins, minerals and prebiotics. The soda also has 5 g of sugar which makes this soda a healthier soda. For the label design, it's clean, fun, playful and has a 1950's vibe to it.

Non Alcoholic Beer Copacking

dave@usabigbrands.com (Peter Mosesian) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 19:09:07 GMT

Non-alcoholic Beer Copacking

With the increase in the nonalcoholic drink category, beer manufacturers have become part of the nonalcoholic trend with the rise of nonalcoholic beer. For Super Bowl LVII there was the first nonalcoholic beer commercial for Heineken 0.0. On a recent trip to BevMo, I was greeted with a diverse selection of nonalcoholic beers. Some of the products on the shelves were made by the other big players - Sapporo, Corona and Sam Adams, but I was also pleasantly surprised to see some local breweries take up shelf space with their nonalcoholic beer formulations.

In the nonalcoholic beer sector, Athletic Brewing Company sets the standards. They are the largest non-alcoholic brewery and non-alcoholic beer co-packer in the US and raised $50 million, this summer, to invest into their non-alcoholic brand. It is reported that Athletic has 19% of the market share in the non-alcoholic beer category. When starting to make a non-alcoholic beer, Athletic Brewing is a company to study and gather market research on. They have over 17 different non-alcoholic beers with styles of alcohol free beer including a Belgian style white non-alcoholic beer, an Italian style pale non-alcoholic beer, a alcohol free IPA, and also a non-alcoholic sour beer. They also have a large flavor profile with their non-alcoholic beers. Their non-alcoholic beers are available in various flavors like: blood orange, cherry, blackberry, fruit, coffee, mango, and peach.

Some nonalcoholic beer formulations use hops to flavor their nonalcoholic beer recipes. A popular alcoholic beer brand, Laganitas, has their hop water. The hop water nonalcoholic beers are a refreshing taste for warm summer days.

When it comes to formulating a non-alcoholic beer, what’s need for the beverage formulation process?

The beverage formulation process for a non-alcoholic beer is the same as any other beverage. A formula is a recipe of sorts. In the beverage formulation process the ingredients are decided on, the amounts of those ingredients are figured out based on mass producing the product, and also the formulation process includes how the non-alcoholic beer is to be batched, mixed, and packed. During the formulation process, the taste profile is also worked on and perfected.

Consider your ingredients

Non-alcoholic beers are made with water, malt, hops, and yeast. The hops is where you’ll find most of the flavor for an alcohol free beer. Other flavorings like spices can be used for flavor profiles of your non-alcoholic beer.

The amounts of alcohol

For a beer to be considered non-alcoholic, it has to have less than 0.5% alcoholic by volume. For a beer to be considered zero proof, alcohol free beer, it has to have 0% alcohol.

We’ve highlighted some other non-alcoholic beers and alcohol free beers, a favorite non-alcoholic beer we recently tasted was Clausthaler. They company has a great story too! Their website says that in the 1970’s they started the push for non-alcoholic beers. In the 80’s they created a light beer. The 80’s were the time of light beers and this brewing company took to that trend. They became one of the very early players in the n on-alcoholic marketplace with marketing non-alcoholic beer to doctors and truck drivers in Germany. They continued to push forward in making non-alcoholic beers in the 90’s in Germany. Clauhouser and came into the US marketplace in 2023 and is now are available in retailers in the US. This non-alcoholic beer copacker has a worldwide presence and has 3 nonalcoholic beers that it offers.

If you are thinking of formulating and copacking a non-alcoholic beer or you are just starting a brand consider specializing in one kind of non-alcoholic beer or creating a few different types of nonalcoholic beers. Consider your target market, the customer that you want to see to. Do you only like IPAs? Or do your customers like a variety like a pale ale, stout, white ale. Another option when considering making a nonalcoholic beer would be to try something different. What nonalcoholic beers are missing for consumers? I like a spice forward white ale. By doing this xx, you are differentiating yourself from the competition. You are not going along with the other brands, but creating a unique and different alcohol free beer . I like a variety pack. These non-alcoholic variety packs are boxed after the non-alcoholic beer copacking process. The variety is perfect for the non-alcoholic beer consumer who has enjoyed different types of beers.

Parktake, another non-alcoholic beer manufacturer has a variety pack that they sell. Their non-alcoholic beer packaging is seen below.

Ready to for non-alcoholic beer co-packing? Here’s how:

Start with the concept, flavor and type
Next, have your non-alcoholic beer formulated with the manufacturing ready recipe
Then, the design process with the label design and packaging design
Finally, the non-alcoholic beer copacking process gives you a finished product to sell to consumers

Contact Big Brands for your non-alcoholic beer copacking needs.

Making a CBD, THC, or Hemp Beverage

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 18:32:51 GMT

Making a CBD, THC or Hemp Beverage

So you want to bring a CBD product to market? We don't blame you, the market is hot right now and CBD products are gaining steam as each day passes. There are several options of CBD products including CBD flower, cartridges, edibles, pain creams, CBD beverages, lotions, salves, balms, soft gels, tincture oils, pet products, soaps, bath bombs and more!

The Differences Between CBD, THC, and Hemp - A Little More About the Three

Hemp is a plant. The hemp plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids the most well known of the cannabinoids are CBD and THC.

CBD or cannabidiol and is one of the many compounds within the C. sativa plant that does not create the high sensation and it is not psychoactive. CBD is one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant.

THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is also a compound in the C. sativa plant and is the psychoactive component that creates the high sensation. It is federally legal as long as the product contains less than .3% by weight. If your product has more than .3% THC, it may be legal in the state you are selling it in. It’s best to research your state laws with CBD products. As of April 2023, there are 38 states that allow the medical use of cannabis products. As of November 2023, there are 24 states that regulate cannabis for non-medical use in adults. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has put together a data base to help you understand the state cannabis legislation. Looking for state cannabis laws , click here.

Cannabinoids are products that contain THC and CBD.

CBD extracted from hemp is defined as cannabis sativa with total THC of less than 0.3%. The only difference between marijuana and helm is the concentration of THC.

Hemp is an organic plant. CBD is found in cannabis plants. Hemp has low amounts of THC and high amounts of CBD.

Big Brands can help you with your custom CBD formulation , custom THC formulation, or custom hemp beverage formulation. We can also help formulate your CBD, THC, or hemp powdered product, soft gel or CBD pet product.

Steps for Making a Mass Produced CBD, THC, or Hemp Beverage

Step 1 - Creating a custom formula for your CBD, THC, or hemp product

There are several options when it comes to the beverage formulation of your CBD product and custom cannabinoid formulation. The first is determining if your CBD product will be a CBD Isolate, Broad Spectrum, Full Spectrum or Whole Plant product.

CBD Isolate - A CBD isolate is a purified form of cannabidiol (CBD) where all other components of the hemp plant are removed. The CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD.

Broad Spectrum - Is a type of CBD extract and contains several cannabis compounds but is normally free of THC or contains very small amounts of THC.

Full spectrum - Is a type of CBD extract and it has many cannabis plant extras including terpenes, essential oils and other cannabinoids like cannabinol and THC. Full spectrum CBD products include more than 100 cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. The product must be less than 0.3% THC for FDA regulations on full spectrum CBD products.

Whole plant - More of the cannabinoids are preserved in this CBD product.

From there, we look at what cannabinoids are needed to achieve your desired product and whether or not you want to utilize the 0.3% THC content for your product. Our team will work with you to solidify the perfect blend of cannabinoids and terpenes for your CBD product and come up with a manufacturing ready formula for mass producing your CBD product.

One of the main reasons to choose Big Brands as your CBD manufacturing partner is that Big Brands is both a formulator and copacker. That means, we understand how to apply your formula in a manufacturing setting.

Step 2 - Packing options for your CBD, THC, or hemp product

What type of packing material are you wanting for your cannabis based product? If you are wanting a soft gel CBD product, packing would include a canister. If you want a ready to drink (RTD) CBD beverage, a can or glass bottle would be the best option. The benefits of a can for your CBD product is that a can is lighter than glass. This is something to consider if you are selling your product online or if you are wanting the consumer to enjoy your cannabis based beverage on the go. A glass bottle for your CBD beverage gives a higher end feel to it and level of sophistication. Another packaging option or your CBD based beverage would be a shot bottle. A CBD shot bottle is a smaller option and gives more of a single dosed product. If you wanted a CBD powdered product, a stick pack for your CBD powdered product would be an option.

For an extra level of safety, with your packaging options, you may want to think about child resistant packaging like tamper evident seals. If you are selling your CBD product online, you may also want to include a warning label on your shipping box.

Step 3 - Label design of your CBD, THC or hemp beverage

The creative process starts. You may want to sample your beverage as your creative juices flow. We take your logo design and add it to the packaging your’ve selected for your product. With label design, the label created should match the brand’s message. The design team at Big Brands works with you on your brand vision and maintains that your vision for your CBD based product matches the label design.

With your label design, we also work with our customers on label regulations for cannabis products such as warnings, dosing instructions and product information.

Step 4 - Copacking of your CBD products

Once your CBD formula is approved, packaging design decided upon, and the label created and applied to the packaging, the final step is copacking of your CBD product. This is the final step with making your CBD product. For the CBD, THC or hemp co-packing process, Big Brands handles the whole process for you and makes creating your CBD product an easy process for you. We take care of the manufacturing process so you can wait for the product to be delivered strait to your door and ready for you to sell to your customers. It really is that easy!

Reported Benefits of CBD Products

CBD drinks are said to help people reduce stress, relieve anxiety, promotes relaxation, helps you sleep better, is anti inflammatory, and aids in pain management. CBD beverages are not that well regulated. Like herbal supplements, the FDA does not regulate these products. Therefore, it is important to have a credible beverage manufacture make your CBD beverage to assure the quality of your CBD product ingredients. Big Brands uses credible suppliers who are experts in their industry.. Also, if your CBD beverage is made by someone who is not familiar with the different forms and types of CBD, hemp or THC, your beverage may be mislabeled. That is why it’s important to use a knowledgeable and experienced beverage formulator like Big Brands to make your CBD infused beverage.

CBD Beverages and CBD Powdered Stick Packs On The Market

Below we've highlighted some CBD brands that are in the marketplace.

Flyers

Flyers is marketed as a zero proof THC cocktail. Their THC Margarita is just one of their flavored ready to drink CBD beverages. I like how the combined the flavor of an alcoholic beverage, but made it non-alcoholic and added THC. Customers are familiar with the taste of a margarita. It was a fun and playful idea for Flyers to call their drinks Sunset Spritz cocktails. Flyers also took other popular alcohol drink flavors and made them non-alcoholic. They have an Old Fashion, Aperol Spritz, and their 3 flavored Sunset Spritz drinks in guava, grapefruit lime and watermelon mint.

Flyers’s product uses hemp derived THC, which is THC that comes from hemp plants. They say their product hightens the sense of joy, calmness, or relaxation. They do have disclaimers on their FAQ page saying, “However, it's important to note that hemp-derived THC can still cause side effects such as dry mouth, red eyes, impaired coordination, and an increased heart rate. In higher concentrations, it may also produce stronger psychoactive effects, including feelings of euphoria, altered perception of time, and changes in mood.”

Artet

Art is an aperitif. It is non-alcoholic and infused with botanicals and THC. They call their product a cannabis aperitif. Thye also have a cannabis infused sparkling beverage. They say, “Our dream was to make a beverage that honors everything we love about drinking, then upgrade it by replacing the booze with Delta-9 THC.”

Boldt

Boldt is a THC infused iced tea. Boldt says, “Onset time for THC beverages is characterized by a relatively rapid initiation of effects, typically within 15 minutes of consumption.” They have 3 different flavors - black, peach and blueberry pomegranate.

Nowadays

Nowadays is “cannabis in a bottle.” This product stands out to me because of the classy bottle, clean label and different doses. They have a high dose version with 10 mg THC, a low dose version with 5 mg THC, a micro dose (2 mg) and a 5 mg shot bottle that is perfect for on the go.

Weller

Weller has 10 mg of CBD and comes in a stick pack. Stick packs are great options since your customers can take them on the go. They are very portable and easy to ship. With these stick packs, the customer can mix the CBD stick pack with their beverage of choice. To diversify their product line, Weller has sparkling water CBD canned products too.

SunMed

Like Weller, SunMed has a stick pack CDB powdered product. This CBD powdered product is advertised to be poured directly into your mouth. This is a different and creative way to have a CDB powdered product.

If you are looking to formulate a CBD, hemp, or THC product, let Big Brands help with your CBD, THC or hemp product. The variety of CBD products and the process of bringing them to market can be overwhelming. When you partner with Big Brands for the development of your CBD products, we work with you each step of the way, from concept to fulfillment. Contact Big Brands for your ready to drink beverage or powdered project.

We take the confusion out of the TTB Approval process for your beverage.

Mon, 06 May 2024 22:12:59 GMT

We take the confusion out of the TTB approval process for your beverage.

Big Brands has been developing and producing alcohol products for clients and partners for over 20 years. We provide legal and consulting services through our in-house legal department. With our TTB Services, we have successfully obtained application approvals for a variety of beverage industry clients and partners in the spirits, wine, and beer categories, including additional permits and licenses required to support the spirits, wine, and beer manufacturing licenses, and both on the federal (TTB) level and the state level.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) protects the public and enforced the provisions of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act. It ensures that only qualified people engage in drinking alcohol. The TTB is in charge of enforcing the laws regulating alcohol production, importation and wholesaling of alcohol, and alcohol labeling, manufacturing and advertising.

The TTB must evaluate the ingredients and additives of certain beverages in the malt, wines, and distilled spirits category. The TTB beverage formula review process can be a bit lengthy and complex. Failing to obtain TTB beverage formula and beverage label approval when required can result in significant delays in the manufacturing and distribution of your alcoholic beverage.

All Alcoholic Beverages require TTB approval for the beverage formula to be manufactured. For non-alcoholic beverages, defined as beverages with less than 0.50 ABV, like mocktails, does not need TTB approval. However, non-alcoholic beers need to have their beer formula and beer label approved by the TTB.

Big Brands is extremely familiar with the TTB approval process. We have brought numerous alcoholic beverages to market by following the TTB guidelines to ensure that our clients product does not get caught in the approval loop. Put our experience to work for you and your alcoholic beverage.

One of the steps in gaining approval for your alcoholic beverage to hit the market is an approved label by the TTB. Depending on your time frame you can file for normal or expedited review. Prior to submitting your label to the TTB, our team will take the time to thoroughly review your label and examine each aspect. We will alert you about the need to fix the label if we come across anything that would likely kick back your submission or create an unnecessary delay.

All products need labels. Whether it is a label for a nutritional supplement, non-alcoholic beverage or CBD product they all must follow the FDA Guidelines. We will work with you to create a beverage label that checks off all of the requirements of the TTB to ensure a quick approval process that avoids delay in production or fulfillment of your product. Partnering with an experienced firm like Big Brands for your label and packaging needs is critical. Ready to get started? Contact us to help with your alcoholic beverage formula and alcoholic beverage copacking needs.

Type of Beverages Co-Packed by Big Brands

Mon, 06 May 2024 01:58:50 GMT

Big Brands Knows Beverages. Not sure which category your beverage falls into? Learn more about the different types of beverages we co-pack.

What is a Non-Alcoholic Beverage?

A non-alcoholic beverage is defined as one that has no more than 0.05% alcohol by volume. Other words to describe non-alcoholic products include no, free, zero, low, light or reduced. There has been an increased popularity with low alcohol and alcohol free beverages like wine, spirits, beer, and cocktails. Years ago, the word mocktail was the only was that was used to describe a drink that didn’t contain alcohol.

The term alcohol free, means that the product contains no alcohol. For beverage labeling, a zero proof and alcohol free product is represented by 0.0% vol. When low or non-alcoholic is used, it is below 0.5% alcohol by volume.

To add to the flavor profile and aroma of a non-alcoholic product, an alcohol flavored additive can be added to your beverage. By adding an alcohol flavor, the alcohol version can be mimicked, but the finished product becomes non-alcoholic. For example, an alcohol free spirits are mostly flavor based used to imitate the original product. These unique products are sometimes refereed to as artisanal and alcohol flavored non-alcoholic beverages.

What is an Alcoholic Beverage ?

Big Brands copacks fermented, brewed, and distilled alcoholic beverages. Types of alcoholic beverages include fermented alcoholic beverages produced by natural fermentation, such as wine and beer. With wine, grapes are fermented and with beer, barley, wheat or other grains are fermented. Fermented drinks are also called undistilled drinks. The process of fermentation of a beverage includes bacteria or yeast chemically converting sugar into ethanol.

The beverage copacking process of distillation, comes after fermentation. With distillation, the fermented product is converted to an even higher concentration of alcohol. Types of distilled alcoholic products are liquors and spirits and contain more alcohol by volume than undistilled drinks.

What is a Functional Beverage?

A functional beverage provides additional health benefits and has beneficial effects on one or more function of the human body. Functional beverages have added nutrients in them. For example, those nutrients could be antioxidants, dietary fibers, prebiotics, proteins, flavonoids, carotenoids, minerals and vitamins. In this category, meal replacements can also be added since they have a high content of nutritional value. Some functional beverages aim to increase energy and mental focus.

Aluminum Cans and Bottles

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 02:13:32 GMT

Below are some options for aluminum bottles and cans

Check out our variety of a luminum bottles and cans

The Alumi -Tek bottle is the proprietary bottle of Ball, one of the largest manufacturers of cans.

This beverage bottle is for the customer who wants an eco friendly packaging option and portability of their beverage brand. This bottle comes in 12 oz and 16 oz bottle sizes.

Above is the Alumi Tek bottle. This bottle is a 16 oz bottle and can be used with a carbonated, nitro dosed, and tunnel pasteurize beverage.

Thinking of co-packing a water beverage?

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:38:30 GMT

Thinking of co-packing a water beverage?

Thinking of copacking a water beverage?

Water is a simple beverage, but over the years, the water industry has seen significant growth. It first started with water being more portable with the increase in plastic water bottles in the 1970's and 1980's. The craze started back then because bottled water was said to have safer and better filtration than tap water. Plastic water bottles were also more portable. Fast forward to today and the grocery store shelves are stocked with different types of water. Let’s look at some of the popular sparkling water brands and see how they can influence your new water beverage project.

I have to admit that I didn’t know what Topo Chico was. I first thought it was a hard seltzer. I had no idea it was a sparkling water. I’d even see billboards on the freeway and still had no idea what kind of beverage Topo Chico was. I had no idea what was being sold. But, is that the point of marketing? We get out our phone and we Google or we ask our friends at our weekly lunch if they know about this new glass bottled product.There hype that’s created in the unknown. I had to find out from my daughter’s friend that it was actually water that was being sold. The ten year old had a bottle of it in her room as some kind of collectors item. And, up until today, I had no idea Topo Chico was a fizzy beverage.

Topo- Chico has been bottled from the source in Mexico since 1895. Fast forward to a few years ago and millennials were the ones to give the old brand a hit, cool vibe. The story goes that in the 1400’s the Aztec Emperor Montezuma’s daughter got sick. Nothing could cure her until one day the emperor’s priest sent the girl to a spring that was said to have powers that cure. The girl drank from the spring and got well. In 1895, a company bottled the water and in 2017, Coca-Cola Company purchased Topo-Chico for $220 million.

Move over La Croix, because Topo-Chico is the new sparkling water in town. There’s a few different features that sets Topo Chico apart from the other sparkling beverages. Some say that Topo Chico has the right amount of bubbles and that the bubbles last longer when the product is poured into a glass. When you talk about waters, there’s still and sparkling. When making a sparkling product you want to add carbonation. Carbonation is said to help your senses by helping with the aroma of the product. Those bubbles also create a special feeling in your mouth.

The sparkling water category of beverages has increased over the last few years. The growth in this category was because of a few different things. Mostly, the increase in sparkling water had to do with health. Drinking water with bubbles with zero sugar because a health craze. Sparkling water also became a product that was associated with non-alcoholic beverages. Sparkling water would be considered a zero proof beverage that is low in calories and low in carbohydrates.

La Croix actually entered the sparkling water beverage category back in 1980. They were owned by G. Heileman Brewing Company, who started their brewery in 1897 manufacturing 3,000 barrel of beer a year. The brewery diversified and made their La Croix sparkling water beverage and by the 1990’s the brand was worth $25 million, however because of the companies “lack of experience” outside of the beer industry, they ended up selling the sparkling beverage brand to National Beverage. La Croix sparkling water was marketed as an “anti-Perrier” product and designed their product to be more bold and colorful. Take some beverage flavor advice from La Croix! Here’s a list of their flavors: lemon, lime, cran raspberry, orange, berry, grapefruit, coconut, peach-pear, apricot, mango, passionfruit, tangerine, key lime, hibiscus, limoncello, watermelon, plum, black raspberry, guava, and cherry.

Like La Croix and Topo Chico, these brands have a long history. Both sold to larger beverage companies and became even more well known. Sometimes, it’s about holding on to your product until it moves into the popular products category.

Bubbly beverages are taking over! If you want to copack a water product, consider adding a little buzz to your beverage. If you add carbonation to your beverage, know that the quantity of carbonation in a beverage can impact the flavor, mouthfeel, and palatability of the beverage.

Looking at the top selling sparkling water brand in the world, San Pelligreno is the leader. This sparkling water brand was started in 1899 when Italians would travel to the foot of the Alps to collect the famous water. Their history is very interesting and found on their website https://www.sanpellegrino.com/us/identity-history/our-history . In 2010, Pelligreno diversified their water by offering flavored canned beverages - Melograno & Arancia, Clementina, Limone & Menta and Arancia & Fico D’India.

Both San Pelligreno and Topo Chico have a catchy story behind their product. I always believe that a brand with a story has a much better chance of speaking to their audience and standing out having customers relate to the product more.

Looking at the popular water beverage brands in this post, here are their packaging options:

- Topo Chico has always kept their 12 oz glass bottle.

- La Croix has been in a 12 oz can.

- San Pelligrino has their distinctive green bottle. This sparkling water is available in 250 ml - 1 liter glass bottles. Their flavored sparkling beverage comes in a 12 oz can.

When thinking about your beverage, take tips from these 3 water brands:

- La Croix - bold, colorful design of the packaging and marketing material.

- Topo Chico - classic, hasn’t changed, with a great back story of the product, slender bottle design, old style font, it’s also used as a mixer.

- San Pelligrino - slowly introducing new products to stay with the beverage trends, simple packaging, green bottle color and red star label.

Hopefully, these 3 beverage brands can inspire your beverage product to stand out. Think creatively about your brand story, beverage packaging and beverage formulation.