PepsiCo, Inc. is partnering with NBA player LeBron James to launch Mtn Dew Rise Energy, a new energy drink designed to offer a mental boost and immune support, according to the company.

Featuring no added sugar and 25 calories, Mtn Dew Rise Energy contains approximately 180 mg of caffeine (compared with 77 mg in original Mtn Dew soda), vitamins A and C, antioxidants, citicoline, zinc and fruit juice. The beverage comes in 16-oz cans and is available in six flavors: Pomegranate Blue Burst, Orange Breeze, Strawberry Melon Spark, Tropical Sunrise, Berry Blitz, and Peach Mango Dawn.

In February, BA Sports Nutrition introduced Bodyarmor Edge, a new line of premium sports drinks formulated with natural caffeine. The beverages combine a coconut water-based formula with antioxidants, cane sugar, 1,000 mg of electrolytes and 100 mg of caffeine. Flavors include Berry Blitz, Tropical Chaos, Power Punch and Orange Frenzy.

In February, Vita Coco introduced Vita Coco Boosted, a coconut water beverage with MCT oil and caffeine.

The drink blends coconut water and coconut cream with coconut-derived MCT oil, 40 mg of caffeine from tea, potassium and B vitamins. Formulated with no added sugar, Vita Coco Boosted comes in three cafe-inspired flavors: vanilla latte, coconut chocolate and chai. All three varieties contain 130 calories and 8 grams of sugar.

“We all need more energy and focus now more than ever, and the launch of Boosted could not be better timed,” said Michael Kirban, co-founder and chief executive officer of Vita Coco, a brand of All Market Inc. “MCT as a functional ingredient has grown more than 250% in the last year, and our unique combination of replenishing coconut water with energizing coconut MCT oil offers consumers a versatile product that can be enjoyed as a sidekick to your coffee, an addition to your morning smoothie or any time you need a pick-me-up.”

PepsiCo, Inc. expanded its bubly line of sparkling water in February with caffeinated varieties.

Featuring 35 mg of caffeine per 12-oz can, bubly bounce is available in five flavors, including mango passion fruit, triple berry, blood orange grapefruit, citrus cherry and blueberry pomegranate. The beverages contain no calories, sweeteners or artificial flavors.

“Bubly sparkling water was created to bring more smiles into the sparkling water category, and new bubly bounce takes it to the next level with caffeine,” said Zach Harris, vice president of the water portfolio at PepsiCo Beverages North America. “As more individuals seek out sparkling waters with added benefits, bubly bounce delivers all of the delicious flavor and hydration of the original, now with just a kick of caffeine.”

Cola and coffee collide in Coca-Cola with Coffee, the ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage launched by the Coca-Cola Co. in the United States in January.

Coca-Cola with Coffee blends Coca-Cola soda with Brazilian coffee and comes in caramel, dark blend and vanilla varieties.

New Coca-Cola with Coffee Zero Sugar is launching alongside its full-sugar counterpart. The drink is available in dark blend and vanilla flavors.

Both beverages contain 69 mg of caffeine per 12-oz can, which compares to 34 mg in a can of regular Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and 136 mg of caffeine in a 12-oz cup of coffee.

“While other categories including energy drinks have ventured into zero-sugar territory, RTD coffee hasn’t because many offerings are dairy-based,” said Brandan Strickland, brand director of the Coca-Cola Trademark at the Coca-Cola Co. “So we see this as a major whitespace opportunity.

“We’re focusing our innovation efforts on doing what Coca-Cola has always stood for and does best — which is to deliver emotional and functional uplift — in bigger, bolder, more differentiated ways. Coca-Cola with Coffee is a true hybrid innovation that provides the perfect solution for that mid-afternoon pick-me-up we all want, especially in today’s work-from-home environment. We’re fulfilling this need state and occasion in a uniquely Coca-Cola way.”

In January, Chobani, LLC launched Chobani Coffee ready-to-drink coffees.

Made with single-origin cold brew mixed with Chobani’s oat milks and dairy creamers, Chobani Coffee contains the caffeine equivalent to a standard cup of coffee, about 85 mg of caffeine per serving. The beverages are available in four varieties: Cold Brew Pure Black with no sugar or dairy; Cold Brew with Sweet Creamer; Cold Brew with Vanilla; and Cold Brew with Oatmilk, made with gluten-free oats.

Chobani Coffee Cold Brew Pure Black contains 10 calories, less than 1 gram of protein and no sugar per 12-oz serving.

The Cold Brew with Sweet Creamer and the Cold Brew with Vanilla varieties both contain 170 calories, 5 grams of protein and 22 grams of sugar per serving.

The Cold Brew with Oatmilk contains 110 calories, 2 grams of protein and 7 grams of sugar per serving.

“Nutrient dense Greek yogurt and coffee have long been a perfect pair, fueling our lives throughout the day,” said Peter McGuinness, president and chief operating officer of Chobani. “Chobani Coffee is crafted from single origin 100% Arabica beans, geared for the passionate coffee drinker looking for cold-press brews who love the added taste of creamers made from farm fresh milk and oat milk.”

Soylent Nutrition, Inc. in January launched Soylent Complete Energy.

Vegan and gluten-free, the shake features soy protein, comes in a chocolate flavor and is nutritionally complete, according to the company. The beverage is sweetened with allulose and sucralose.

Soylent Complete Energy shakes are formulated with a blend of B vitamins, caffeine, l-theanine, l-tyrosine and alpha-GPC plus 15 grams of plant-based protein and 39 essential nutrients. Each bottle contains 180 calories and 3 grams of sugar.

“Every person has different nutritional demands as well as health goals,” said Demir Vangelov, chief executive officer of Soylent. “To support our consumer's unique needs, we wanted to expand our offering to allow for a more personalized approach to nutrition. Traditionally our consumers used Soylent products to replace meals, manage their weight and even for medical recovery, but we also know that numerous others consume a portion of a serving for a snack, mix Soylent with coffee for an added energy boost or even increase protein with other supplements. We wanted to remove the nutritional guesswork and make delicious products that meet a variety of consumer needs and goals.”

Orbit Coffee, a subsidiary of Italian company EthicSport, in November 2020 released its flagship product: portable packets of powdered coffee-flavored energy supplement.

Made with coffee selected and roasted in Italy, the beverage mix includes maca root powder and a mix of fast carbohydrates — fructose and dextrose — and slow carbohydrates — maltodextrin and isomaltulose — to help sustain long-lasting activities, the company said. Available in a mocha flavor, each Orbit Coffee Mocha shot contains 133 mg of caffeine and 9 grams of sugar per serving once mixed into 8-oz of water.

“Orbit's coffee-flavored energy supplement is designed to produce a sustained wakeful feeling that is unmatched by either traditional energy drinks or a regular cup of coffee,” Orbit said. “Orbit Coffee's goal is to present an appealing new alternative for supplemental energy.”

In October 2020, 7 Eleven, Inc. launched Triton, a new private brand, sugar-free energy drink.

Featuring caffeine and L-theanine sourced from green tea leaves, the beverage contains B vitamins, ginseng, taurine, guarana and amino acids. Triton comes in three varieties: blood orange yuzu, strawberry kiwi, and original, which features lemon, grapefruit and orange flavors.

“7-Eleven is one of the leading beverage sellers in the US, and our private brand drinks are a growing segment of that business,” said Jack Stout, senior vice president of merchandising and demand chain for 7-Eleven. “And that's not by accident. We are always looking for ways to improve quality and offer taste profiles that are new and trending at a great value.”

In December 2020, Dunkin’ began delivering an extra dose of caffeine with its new Extra Charged Coffee, featuring 20% more caffeine than Dunkin’s classic hot and iced coffee. The additional caffeine is derived from green coffee extract, meaning the caffeine is extracted from the coffee bean itself before it goes through the roasting process, Dunkin’ said. The beverage may be ordered hot or iced.

The idea for Extra Charged Coffee was born from customer requests for more caffeine in their coffee beverages without altering the taste, said Heidi Curry, senior manager of research and development at Dunkin’.

“Some of our guests told us they were looking for a little extra caffeine boost from their favorite coffee drinks … but, adding an espresso shot actually changes the flavor profile of the coffee,” Ms. Curry said. “So, we brewed up a new innovation, Extra Charged Coffee, to give guests the benefit of additional caffeine without altering the taste of the high-quality Dunkin’ Hot and Iced Coffee that they know and love.”