Beverage Forum attendees have spoken. The audience at the 20th annual global beverage conference in New York City have selected Joia All Natural Soda, 12NtM Sparkling Beverages and Purple Grace ready-to-drink tea as the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners, respectively, in the Forum's inaugural Innovation Zone new beverage showcase.
The top two winners are known for their influences from the culinary world.
With flavors like Lime, Hibiscus & Clove; Grapefruit, Chamomile & Cardamom (its most popular), Pineapple, Coconut & Nutmeg and Blackberry, Pomegranate & Ginger (with a bit of elderflower), Ginger, Apricot & Allspice, and Orange, Jasmine & Nutme, Joia seeks to redefine what people conventionally think of as soda. It draws upon the same type of intriguing herb and spice combinations increasingly popular in the food realm.
12NtM, from Twelve Beverage LLC, was created with the help of renowned chef David Burke, who is also a partner in the company. The brand offers a line of lightly sparkling non-alcohol beverages in Blanc (citrus blend) and Rouge (pomegranate-black currant) varieties, as well as the latest offering it unveiled at Beverage Forum, a coffee-based version.
Purple Grace Exquisite Tea is brewed from fresh green tea leaves to accentuate its precise flavor and homemade characteristics, the company says. It's mixed with fresh lemon and/or lime juice and sweetened with organic pure cane sugar. It also offers Heaven's Treasure Bissap, inspired by the West African beverage Bissap, a form of hibiscus tea from the Roselle plant.
Beverage Forum, presented by Beverage World and Beverage Marketing Corporation, was held at the Conrad Hotel in New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday.
