Liquid I.V.’s newest innovation is a big dill

Liquid I.V. is helping consumers caught in a pickle from a lack of hydration .

The electrolyte mix is launching a Grillo’s Pickles drink powder. Each stick has a tangy deli-pickle aroma, with hints of cucumber, vinegar, dill and a touch of sweetness.

Liquid I.V. owner Unilever says the Grillos offering started out as a social media tease in 2024 before growing into a viral April Fools joke a year later. The post attracted widespread attention, prompting many fans to ask the company to turn the prank into reality.

“The passion of our community sparked this idea, and the talent of our innovation team brought it to life,” said Sai Chaluvadi, Liquid I.V.’s chief R&D officer. “We were able to perfectly capture the iconic, crisp flavor of a Grillo’s Pickle… The result is a spot-on replication of the real thing, all while providing the superior hydration our consumers expect and love.”

Grillo’s, which traces its roots to a wooden food cart in Boston two decades ago, has surged in popularity through limited-time collaborations and consumer interest in tangy, dill flavors.

Previously, Grillo’s has partnered on a ready-to-drink nonalcoholic Bloody Mary cocktail mix with Campbell’s V8 brand, a Pickle de Gallo Schmear with New York City’s PopUp Bagels and a hard seltzer flavor with Two Robbers. The brand has also appeared in pickle-flavored beer and toothpaste.

Pickles have emerged as one of the most popular flavors in food.

Nearly two-thirds of consumers globally expressed positive sentiment about pickles across social media and online platforms during the prior year, Innova noted in April 2025. Young Millennials and Baby Boomers were especially engaged with pickle-flavored foods, “drawn to the bold, tangy, and crunchy profiles these offerings bring to the table,” the data firm added.

— Christopher Doering

Mike’s Hard Lemonade gets dirty

Mike’s Hard Lemonade is tapping into the dirty soda trend with a new launch marking the brand’s next chapter.

Mike’s Dirty Lemonade expands the brand’s original hard lemonade offering with four new flavors. The offerings will be available in 12-count variety packs and as single-serve, 24-ounce cans.

Flavors include Dirty Lemon Secret, which has flavors of hot honey, and Dark Cherry Brew, which includes cherry spice and a cola-like finish. The brand is also launching Pineapple Haze, which has pineapple and coconut notes, and Very Berry Grape, featuring grape, lemon and other berry flavors.

Mike’s Hard Lemonade is positioning the lineup as the beginning of the next chapter of the brand, which turns 27 this year.

“This marks a decisive shift for Mike’s,” Kevin Brady, vice president of marketing for Mike’s Hard Lemonade, said in a statement. “We’re approaching the market with more clarity, more confidence, and a much bigger ambition for what Mike’s can become — a brand with greater relevance and stronger momentum.”

Mike’s Hard Lemonade is changing up the dirty soda narrative, with the drinks traditionally being associated with nonalcoholic indulgence. The beverages have grown in popularity over the last few years and usually include creamers or fruit puree combined with soda.

The company said the new launch is part of its “Made with Real Character” platform, which is intended to reach Generation Z males. The focus on targeting young men could help the brand develop a niche in the ready-to-drink cocktail space.

— Laurel Deppen

PBR me a brat ASAP

Pabst Blue Ribbon is turning up the heat with a beer-infused brat.

The beer brand is partnering with Smithfield Foods on a limited-edition brat this summer. The meat is made with pork and infused with PBR, delivering a “nostalgic, all-American twist on a summer staple” tailored for backyard barbecues, tailgates and casual gatherings.