Leftovers is our look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write about everything that we get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from our inboxes.
Dr Pepper brings the fizz to sausage
Dr Pepper is going from the can to sausage meat.
The Keurig Dr Pepper-owned brand is partnering with Johnsonville on a sausage that is “inspired” by the soda giant’s original 23-flavor blend. The meats are available in fully cooked and uncooked varieties, and they will be sold at Walmart, Kroger and 7-Eleven, among other retailers.
“Our signature 23‑flavors has been used in home kitchens and backyard BBQs for years,” Derek Dabrowski, senior vice president of brand marketing at Dr Pepper, said in a statement. “So transforming that iconic taste into a sausage felt both unexpected and completely natural.”
Dr Pepper and Johnsonville acknowledged that the new sausage may be a little unorthodox and polarizing among consumers — even for those looking for something new and unique. But they noted that the pairing brings together two brands synonymous with community hangouts, something consumers are doing less of these days.
Johnsonville said a survey conducted by the Harris Poll found 73% of Americans are hanging out less than they used to. At the same time, 9 in 10 Americans agree that delicious food makes hanging out more fun.
The 141-year-old Dr Pepper is no stranger to making an appearance in other foods. In recent years, it has been incorporated into jelly beans, Tic Tacs, meat sticks and even popcorn.
Conagra Brands also plans to launch Dr Pepper flavored Snack Packs later this year. The snack maker, citing Circana data, noted that Dr Pepper sales rose 9% for the 52-week period ending Dec. 21, compared to the prior year.
Once a distant player in the soda space, Dr Pepper tied with Pepsi as the second most popular soda brand in 2024 through marketing, innovation and a quirk in its distribution.
— Christopher Doering
Founders launches TikTok-inspired RTD cocktail
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Courtesy of Water Hazard
Founders Brewing is entering the ready-to-drink vodka cocktail market for the first time with Water Hazard, which is inspired by a popular TikTok recipe.
Water Hazard is made with vodka, blue sports drink, lemonade and lemon lime soda. It’s based on the “golf course” drink trend from TikTok, and Founders says it’s among the first to commercialize a beverage of the same recipe in the U.S.
Water Hazard will initially be available in Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida, with plans to expand this fall. It contains 5% alcohol-by-volume and is sold in 12-ounce cans.
A vodka cocktail marks an expansion for brewing company Founders, which is known for its craft beer, including various IPA styles. It also makes other RTD offerings under the Devil Spiked brand name, including hard lemonade and ginger beer.
The RTD offering comes as craft beer sales decline and more consumers gravitate toward premixed, canned cocktails. Drinks with real spirits mixed with lemonade or iced tea are becoming especially popular, including Boston Beer’s Sun Cruiser or Stateside Vodka’s Surfside.
In addition to the canned cocktail, Founders will unveil two new low-alcohol beers in March that look to meet consumer’s growing preference for moderation.
The offerings include Easy Drinking, a golden ale, which will be available nationwide. Founders is also introducing Low Profile IPA, which is 86 calories and 3% ABV, significantly less than the average 7% to 10% of a typical IPA.
The drink has lower calorie and alcohol content to keep “health-conscious” drinkers in mind, the company said. It’s available in Michigan, New York, Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia and Massachusetts.
— Laurel Deppen
Glen Powell enters the salty snack wars
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Courtesy of Smash Kitchen
Smash Kitchen, a better-for-you condiments brand co-founded by actor Glen Powell, is headed to the snack aisle.
The brand launched kettle chips at Walmart and is rolling out tortilla chips and microwave popcorn later this month. Kettle chip flavors include rosemary, American Style BBQ, classic sea salt, and hot honey BBQ.
Similar to its condiment offerings, Smash Kitchen said its snacks are meant to provide a better-for-you option for families at an affordable price.
“From day one, our mission has been to earn trust in the foods families buy every week,” Sameer Mehta, CEO of Smash Kitchen, said in a statement. “We started in the kitchen. Expanding into snacks allows us to bring that same ingredient integrity to more everyday, shareable moments without asking consumers to pay a premium.”
Smash Kitchen launched last April exclusively at Walmart with a line of shelf-stable condiments including ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. At the time, co-founder Sean Kane said the brand intended to expand to “transform the entire pantry” with organic, clean-label options.
Snack food makers have struggled with declining sales as affordability concerns keep consumers from spending. Smash Kitchen is hoping its focus on value and better-for-you ingredients will help it stand out.
“Snacking is part of real life,” said Powell. “It’s what’s on the table during game day, what’s packed for road trips, what you reach for between meals. We wanted to make snacks that people feel good about buying and are genuinely excited to eat.”
— Sarah Zimmerman
