Slideshow: Buzzing with energy innovations

KANSAS CITY — Product manufacturers are tapping into consumer interest in energy with new formulations and formats.

For instance, the Coca-Cola Co. has reintroduced its Mr. Pibb soda 25 years after the beverage was renamed Pibb Xtra. The reformulated beverage contains 30% more caffeine than Pibb Xtra (54 mg per 12-oz serving), along with sweet cherry and caramel flavor notes and a spicy aftertaste.

“Consumers have been asking for Mr. Pibb’s bold kick of cherry flavor for some time,” said Dane Callis, director of sparkling flavors at Coca‑Cola North America. “When Mr. Pibb first launched, the packaging didn’t tell consumers what it was — it told them what it was not. Not root beer, not cola. It’s something unique and original, a bold rebel in a category of norms. Nothing fans know and love about Mr. Pibb has gone away, but we took steps to modernize its look for new consumers’ tastes and preferences.”

Esspo launched its espresso soda innovation. The beverage is intended to offer consumers a caffeinated beverage option that sips like soda, according to the company. Formulated from such ingredients as carbonated water, organic blue agave nectar, cold brew coffee extract, citric acid, sodium citrate, l-theanine, monk fruit extract, ascorbic acid and natural flavors, each serving contains 45 calories and 120 mg of caffeine. Flavors include classic vanilla, cherry vanilla and sweet lemon.

“The next wave in beverages won’t come from bigger versions of the same ideas, but from rethinking where coffee lives, how energy shows up, and what people reach for as the day unfolds,” said Justin Stefano, co-founder of Esspo. “Esspo is carbonated, milkless, made with great ingredients and delicious flavors and is low calorie and better for you than other soda options.”

The Campbell’s Co. is continuing to expand its line of V8 energy products with V8 zero sugar energy beverages. The drinks are formulated with approximately 80 mg of caffeine derived from black tea and green tea, with such flavors as blueberry raspberry, strawberry lemonade and cherry lime flavors.