READY-TO-DRINK
Create spectacular Ready-To-Drink beverages with clean-label colours Demand for Ready-To-Drink products (RTDs) is on the rise. Exberry Coloring Foods can help manufacturers create eye-catching, on-trend products while maintaining the clean ingredient lists that today’s shoppers expect. Alison Donaldson, technical sales manager at GNT Group, explains some of the secrets to success in the modern ready-to-drink sector.
W
hile the pandemic-induced
pinks, reds and purples associated with
alcohol bans may have
enhanced sweetness perception.5
impeded their momentum,
Nonetheless, it is essential to provide
Ready-To-Drink products (RTDs) such
reassurance that colouring ingredients
as hard seltzers, premix cocktails and
come from a trustworthy source –
other flavoured alcoholic beverages are
particularly in better-for-you options
proving hugely popular among South
such as hard seltzers. Today, seven in
African consumers. Euromonitor data
ten South African consumers say it is
shows sales growth rates in the country
important that food and drink products
were vibrant in both on-trade and retail
contain natural colouring.6
channels before 2020.1 In fact, the RTD sector is becoming
Exberry can provide the ideal solution. These Coloring Foods are made from
an increasingly important part of the
edible, non-GMO fruit, vegetables and
alcohol market worldwide. According
plants using physical processing methods
to IWSR, RTDs posted double-digit
such as chopping and boiling. They can be
global growth in 2020 and are set for
listed on the ingredient label in a way that
a 10.2% CAGR over the 2021 to 2025
is easy to understand, such as "colouring
period.2 The drinks market analysis
food (concentrate of beetroot and carrot)"
firm suggests their success is down
or simply “concentrates (beetroot and
to growing consumer demand for
carrot).” As a result, they offer widespread
refreshing, flavourful and longer-to-
consumer acceptance. Recent research
consume drinks.3
carried out by FMCG Gurus shows 77% of
Hard seltzers are at the very heart
South African consumers find the idea of
of the trend. These alcoholic sparkling
products coloured with the concentrated
waters benefit from a better-for-you
juice from fruit, vegetables and plants to
image with nearly seven out of 10 hard
be appealing or very appealing.7
seltzer drinkers worldwide saying health drives their alcoholic beverage drink choice.4 Many hard seltzers have lower calorie and sugar levels than other alcoholic drinks and they can provide a light, fun and fresh choice with exciting flavours. Colour is a crucial part of many of these drinks’ appeal. While some hard seltzers look like sparkling water, others feature bright or pastel shades to complement fruity and botanical flavours. Colour can elevate the drinking experience for any RTD and help it to stand out from the crowd. It can even influence enjoyment of the flavour with Maximise consumer appeal with Exberry Coloring Foods
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November/December 2021 | FOOD RE VIEW
"RTDs posted double-digit global growth in 2020 and are set for a 10.2% CAGR over the 2021 to 2025 period."
