Slideshow: Uncorking beverage innovation | Food Business News

KANSAS CITY — Beverage menu innovations continue to be a focal point for foodservice operators.

For instance, St Louis-based Panera Bread has debuted two beverage lines: energy refreshers and frescas. The refreshers feature between 28 to 44 mg of caffeine, with dragonfruit sunset and passionfruit paradise flavors. The frescas include cherry lime and strawberry basil lemonade varieties.

“With the launch of our new frescas and energy refreshers, we are redefining the premium beverage experience at Panera,” said Mark Shambura, chief marketing officer at Panera Bread. “By combining bold flavors with the high-quality ingredients that our guests know and love, including real fruit, we have created a lineup of drinks that are both invigorating and delicious.”

Sonic Drive-In is launching the strawberry horchata cream slush. The drink combines soft serve, cinnamon-spiced horchata syrup and strawberries in the Sonic slush format. The limited-time offer is set to roll out nationwide beginning March 23.

“We stayed true to the authentic, cinnamon-spiced flavors commonly found in horchata while introducing refreshing strawberry for a cool, craveable drink that feels just unexpected enough and perfect for spring,” said Barbara Williams, vice president of culinary innovation and category management at Sonic Drive-In.

Dunkin’ is tapping into the energy trend with Dunkin’s zero. The zero sugar beverages include 145 mgs of caffeine and 20 calories per medium serving, with blackberry tangerine, tropical mango, juicy peach, blackberry tangerine and peach, tropical mango and peach, and blackberry tangerine and mango flavors.

“Dunkin’ has always been part of how people start their day, and with Dunkin’ Zero, we’re expanding how we fuel it,” said Jill Nelson, chief marketing officer at Dunkin’. “It’s zero-sugar energy that delivers bold flavor without compromise and fits seamlessly into the rhythm of everyday life.”

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