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 design, 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 in 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.
