Could Beverages Get Any Better? For ‘Friends’ Fans, Central Perk Tops These New Drinks

BY A.J. FLICK

So no one told you drinks didn’t have to be boring At least, no one told International Delight, Rasa and Nick’s Near Beer, all of whom debuted innovative beverage products to liven things up International Delight has partnered with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products to create a creamer inspired by the beloved sitcom “Friends,” the limited-edition Manhattan Hazelnut Mocha creamer Diehard “Friends” fans may have noticed the Manhattan Mocha on the fictional Central Perk coffee shop’s chalkboard menu To bring the flavor home, International Delight says its creamer has “hints of hazelnut, mouthfuls of mocha and all the excitement of Manhattan ”

The new flavor is available in a zero sugar variety

OK, I’ve padded a bunch of “Friends” references in here, but this one I’ll give full credit to International Delight: “This creamer is the perfect company if you ’ re ON A BREAK a coffee break, that is ” Ba-dum-bum

“‘Friends’ is one of the most iconic and mostwatched TV shows of all time,” said Kallie Goodwin, vice president of marketing for International Delight “On a mission to deliver collaborations our consumers will love, the choice to create a creamer flavor inspired by ‘Friends’ couldn’t have been

Any Clearer

“As Americans are looking to recreate their favorite coffeehouse experiences at home more and more, International Delight Hazelnut Mocha creamer is Central Perk approved ”

“Friends” Hazelnut Mocha marks International Delight’s third limited-edition creamer collaboration with Warner Bros in two years In December 2020, the creamer brand released a seasonal line of creamers inspired by Buddy the Elf from the classic holiday movie, “Elf ” In 2022, International Delight debuted Wonka Whipple Scrumptious Fudgy Caramel creamer, with the iconic “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory” as its muse

Both bottles of Hazelnut Mocha creamer feature show-inspired iconography, the Central Perk sign and silhouettes of everyone ’ s favorite six friends on a purple backdrop – matching the paint color in the girls’ apartment

International Delight “Friends” Manhattan Hazelnut Mocha creamers are available in 32-ounce bottles with an SRP of $3 99 at major retailers nationwide for a limited time

Classic and Café Rasa, which it heralds as groundbreaking adaptogen and mushroom beverage mixes, will encourage coffee-alternative and coffee drinkers to enjoy a functional beverage anywhere, anytime, instantly

“We believe Classic Rasa is the most coffee-like coffee alternative out there,” said Lopa van der Mersch, founder and chief executive officer “I’m excited to see us enabling more use occasions, and these two new mixes open new channels of distribution and opportunity for everyone to drink Rasa ”

Classic Rasa is described as robust, roasty and rich The dark richness of roasted chicory root, sweet coffee notes of roasted date seed and earthy, nutty flavor of roasted burdock root make up the base of these blends, while the adaptogenic herbs add further roundness, sweetness and herbal notes, according to the company

Classic Rasa features six adaptogens: red Asian ginseng, cordyceps, rhodiola, gynostemma, shatavari and maca

Café Rasa blends certified organic and Fair Trade freeze-dried coffee from Chiapas, Mexico, with adaptogens that soften the downsides of coffee (less stress, fewer jitters, better sleep), while supplementing the fatigue-fighting abilities of caffeine, according to the company

“What this entailed was far more complex than ‘powdering’ our existing Rasa Brew products that our customers have been loving for five years, ” said Ben LeVine, chief herbalist and co-founder “It took us years of development to crack the code on the trifecta of flavor, function and form Our process includes brewing the herbs over several hours like a standard decoction – a process used for millennia – then drying it and granulating it to produce a supremely delicious, dissolvable, and bioavailable mix There’s nothing like it in the industry ”

Still resolute to be healthier in 2023? The sports- and active-nutrition company 1440 Foods has launched four product innovations from its best-selling Pure Protein line of bars and Body Fortress line of high-efficiency protein powders We’ll start with the powder, since we ’ ve got a beverage theme going here

Body Fortress, a brand best known for its portfolio of protein powders, has entered the preworkout market with a new beverage mix, Body Fortress Elite Laser Start PreWorkout Powder Powered by ZümXR caffeine for sustained energy, betaalanine for boosted intensity and electrolytes to promote hydration, this ketofriendly pre-workout mix comes in a tangy Fruit Punch flavor with 30 ser vings per package

1440 Foods has expanded its line of Pure Protein Bars by three

Fuel a fuller life with the latest flavor from Pure Protein’s lineup of pre- and postworkout gluten-free bars, Chocolate Mint Cookie Bar, a refreshing mix of mint and chocolate It has just 2g of sugar, 180 calories and 19 grams of high-quality protein for lasting energy

Protein Plant-Based Nut Bars, the brand’s first line of plant-based nut bars, contain 10 grams of protein, 4 to 5 grams of sugar and 5 grams of fiber Flavors include Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate and Caramel Almond Sea Salt

The gluten free, low-sugar, snack-size Pure Protein Candy Bar Bites are a fun and nutrientpacked alternative to traditional candy bars They come in delicious flavors including Chocolate Almond Fudge and Chocolate Peanut Caramel

“Brands like Pure Protein and Body Fortress have a long histor y of supporting active consumers with a range of high protein, low sugar, energy-boosting products for pre-workout and recovery, ” said 1440 Foods Chief Executive Officer Azania Andrews “We are pleased to extend these best-selling lines with a range of new flavors and products that address the needs of today’s consumer while delivering high quality nutrition and great taste – and we look forward to introducing even more innovations in the coming year ”

Rick’s Near Beer has expanded its lineup of non-alcoholic craft beers with Rick’s Hazy, which the company describes as “refreshingly hoppy and juicy” with less than 0 5 percent ABV

Rick’s Hazy, full of citrus and tropical fruit flavor and aroma, is brewed with premium malted barley, flaked wheat, loads of Pacific Northwest hops and Rocky Mountain water

Founded by Certified Cicerone Josh Hare, the entrepreneur behind Texas-based beverage brands Hops & Grain Brewing and Pint & Plow Brewing, Rick’s Near Beer launched in December 2022 with its initial low-strength offering, Rick’s Original

“We’re brewing a lineup of beers that can be enjoyed morning, noon, and night,” Hare said “Rick’s Hazy is for ever y beer lover, whether you ’ re celebrating the New Year with a resolution to cut back on your alcohol intake, or you ’ re looking for a delicious beer to enjoy during happy hour before a commute home after work ”

Six-packs of Rick’s Hazy ($12) and Rick’s Original ($10) are available online Rick’s Near Beer will be in the beer aisle of retail stores throughout Texas in early 2023 GN