Beverages
SHUT UP! Ocean Spray® Introduces Mean Girls x Zero Sugar Collaboration in Celebration of the Film’s 20th Anniversary
Teams up with Rajiv Surendra to Just Add Cran™ to Kevin G’s memorable rap and releases limited-edition pink packaging
BOSTON /PRNewswire/ — Today, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., is announcing an exciting collaboration with Paramount Consumer Products to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic film and pop-culture phenomenon Mean Girls with the launch of Mean Girls x Ocean Spray® Ocean Spray® Zero Sugar Cranberry and Mixed Berry Juice Drinks. Cranberry juice cocktail had a cameo in the original film – and it did have sugar, despite what Regina thought. But now 20 years later, just like the stars of the movie have evolved, Ocean Spray has too, with the introduction of Ocean Spray® Zero Sugar Juice Drinks to its product line up. It has zero sugar and no artificial sweeteners – just fierce flavor.
To celebrate, Ocean Spray teamed up with Rajiv Surendra, known for his iconic role as Kevin G and his infamous rap in Mean Girls, to reimagine it with zero sugars given. You can check out Rajiv’s bold, refreshed and a touch tart, Zero Sugars Given rap here.
“I’m grateful for fans’ continued love of the movie 20 years later and partnering with Ocean Spray to recreate the talent show rap was such a blast from the past,” said Rajiv Surendra. “Happy Mean Girls Day, everybody, and remember don’t ever let the haters stop you from doing your thang!”
Mean Girls x Ocean Spray Zero Sugar Juice Drink Cranberry and Mixed Berry flavors are available for a limited-time in-store and online nationwide at most major retailers including Walmart, Kroger and Publix for $3.65. Made with bold flavor from real fruit juice, 0 grams of sugar, and naturally sweetened with stevia, it serves as an excellent source of Vitamin C, with flavor as fresh as Surendra’s lyrics.
“Working with Rajiv and Paramount to launch our new limited-edition Mean Girls x Zero Sugar bottle has been an exciting experience,” said Trinh Le, VP of Next Generation Beverages and Omni-Channel Marketing at Ocean Spray®. “We pride ourselves in offering consumers a portfolio of choice and this partnership has been a fun and inventive way of not only spotlighting our Zero Sugar line but reminding consumers how far we’ve come in twenty years.” 
Mean Girls x Ocean Spray® Ocean Spray® Zero Sugar Cranberry and Mixed Berry Juice Drinks
On October 3rd, Mean Girls Day, Ocean Spray will be providing free samples of Ocean Spray Zero Sugar Juice Drink with the limited-edition packaging around New York’s Union Square.
To learn more, visit us at OceanSpray.com and check out our socials on Instagram, X, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook.
ABOUT OCEAN SPRAY
In 1930, Ocean Spray was founded by three maverick farmers – bonded by bold cranberry love. Since then, we’ve grown into a vibrant global agricultural cooperative, built on the strength of roughly 700 family farmers in the United States, Canada, and Chile. Together, we’ve worked to preserve the family farming way of life for nearly 100 years, and for generations to come. Today, our cranberries show up in more than a thousand deliciously nourishing products in over 100 countries worldwide. United by passion and purpose, Ocean Spray is committed to trailblazing the power of the mighty cranberry through its offbeat taste and uncanny nutrition to feed better, happier lives for all. Born Tart. Raised Bold. ™
About Paramount Consumer Products
Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by a diverse slate of consumer brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio is based on content from platforms including Paramount+, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), cable networks (including MTV, Nickelodeon and Showtime), and Paramount Pictures. Additionally, the division operates Paramount Game Studios. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth and adult, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. To view our range of consumer products and Paramount branded apparel, visit ParamountShop.com.
SOURCE Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
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Cool Down This Summer with a Sweet Slushie
(Family Features) Each season throughout the year seems to
have its own “flavor,” and summer is no exception. Hamburgers and hot dogs off
the grill, refreshing watermelon at snack time and cool, delicious ice cream on
warm evenings.
While many people think of sweetpotatoes during the
holidays, you can make this sweet vegetable a key ingredient all year-round –
including summertime. As one of the most versatile veggies you can find,
they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing flavor and boosting
nutrition content.
Sweetpotatoes can be your summer staple in both simple and
elevated recipes alike, as well as in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be
cooked or prepared in several ways: on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled or
slow cooked.
Or, for an easy way to cool down in the heat, try them in a
creamy drink like this Sweetpotato Summer Slushie. It may surprise you, but
sweetpotatoes are ideal for sipping – smoothies and cocktails are both
crowd-pleasers, especially during sweltering summer days. This refreshing treat
can be made with or without the boozy kick; just break out the blender and kick
back in the sunshine.
To discover more ways to cook and enjoy sweetpotatoes all
summer long, visit ncsweetpotatoes.com.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5xyuKDlklQ?si=JiKNgtk78Vc8NiMU&controls=0]
Recipe courtesy of the North
Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
- 1 cup cooked,
mashed North
Carolina Sweetpotatoes - 1 cup
pineapple juice - 1/2 cup orange
juice - 1/4 cup lemon
juice - 1/4 cup coconut
milk - 2-3 tablespoons
simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste) - 1 teaspoon
vanilla extract - 2 cups crushed
ice - 2 ounces
spiced rum, coconut rum or bourbon (optional) - pineapple
slices or orange wedges, for garnish (optional)
- In blender, blend sweetpotatoes, pineapple juice, orange
juice, lemon juice, coconut milk, simple syrup or honey, vanilla extract and
ice until smooth and slushy. - Pour into glasses and serve.
- For alcoholic version: Add spiced rum, coconut rum or
bourbon after blending. Pulse in blender or stir after blending for layered
effect. - Garnish with pineapple slices or orange wedges, if desired.
SOURCE:
News
How healthy is Sodastream?
The SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker is a device that forces carbon dioxide (CO2) gas (stored under pressure in a cylinder) into water, making it sparkling (fizzy)
Sodastream machines have been gaining popularity in recent years as an alternative to store-bought soft drinks. Not only are they more environmentally friendly, but they also offer several health benefits compared to traditional sodas.
Reduced Sugar Intake
One of the most significant health benefits of using a Sodastream machine is reducing sugar intake. Traditional sodas are loaded with sugar, and excessive sugar intake can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health problems such as Type 2 diabetes. With a Sodastream machine, you can control the amount of sugar you add to your drink, allowing you to enjoy a refreshing beverage without the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption.
No Artificial Sweeteners
Many store-bought soft drinks contain artificial sweeteners, which can have negative health effects such as headaches and digestive problems. Sodastream machines, on the other hand, allow you to use natural sweeteners such as fruit extracts, honey or agave nectar, giving you a healthier and more natural alternative.
No Preservatives
Another advantage of using a Sodastream machine is that you can avoid preservatives commonly found in store-bought soft drinks. Preservatives such as sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate have been linked to health problems such as cancer and allergies. By making your own drinks, you can avoid these harmful additives and enjoy a healthier, preservative-free beverage.
Eco-Friendly
In addition to the health benefits, using a Sodastream machine is also environmentally friendly. Traditional soft drinks are packaged in plastic bottles or cans, which contribute to environmental pollution. With a Sodastream machine, you can reuse the same bottle multiple times, reducing waste and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.
Variety
Finally, Sodastream machines offer a wide variety of flavors and options, allowing you to customize your drink to your liking. You can mix and match different flavors or create your own unique blends, giving you a healthier and more enjoyable alternative to traditional sodas.
In conclusion, Sodastream machines offer several health benefits compared to traditional store-bought soft drinks. By reducing sugar intake, avoiding artificial sweeteners and preservatives, and being eco-friendly, they offer a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional soft drinks. Moreover, with a wide variety of flavors and options, you can customize your drink to your liking, making it a fun and enjoyable way to stay healthy.
Beverages
Caraway Tea Company Scales Up to Meet 2026’s Sleep & Stress Tea Boom
Caraway Tea Company expands Poughkeepsie production for private label sleep and stress herbal teas, including chamomile, valerian, and adaptogen blends.
If 2026 has a defining wellness habit, it might be the “evening ritual”—that intentional wind-down window when people trade late-night scrolling (or a nightcap) for something calmer, warmer, and repeatable. Caraway Tea Company is betting on that behavior in a big way. The Hudson Valley-based, women-owned tea manufacturer and private-label co-packer announced it has expanded production capacity specifically for sleep- and stress-support herbal blends, responding to what it calls one of the fastest-moving consumer wellness categories of the year.
The company, which is SQF Level 2-certified and USDA Organic, has relocated to a larger manufacturing facility in Poughkeepsie, New York. The new setup includes six pyramid tea bag lines, dedicated iced tea bag lines, pyramid envelope lines, and loose tea packing capabilities—giving brands flexibility to launch (or expand) sleep and stress SKUs across multiple retail formats without having to compromise on presentation or scale.
Why “wind-down” tea is having a moment
Caraway points to a broader shift: sleep support isn’t a niche add-on anymore—it’s becoming a primary product driver. Chamomile alone represents roughly 32% of the global herbal ingredient market, making it the most consumed wellness botanical worldwide. And consumer research published earlier this year places sleep-supporting herbal teas among the highest-growth wellness beverage segments, with both retail and DTC brands building full product lines around the wind-down occasion.
In other words: consumers aren’t just buying tea. They’re buying the routine.
“Sleep and stress are no longer a sub-category — they’re driving the conversation,” said Michael Caraway, COO of Caraway Tea Company. He noted that brand requests have evolved quickly—from simple chamomile blends to more complex, multi-ingredient evening formulas featuring botanicals like valerian, passionflower, lemon balm, and lavender, sometimes layered with adaptogens. Those formulas, he added, come with higher expectations: clinical-quality botanicals, traceability, and packaging that supports a ritual—not just a single serving.
The blends brands are building now
Caraway says its expanded facility is designed to support a range of sleep and stress formulations, including:
- Classic relaxation blends built on familiar botanicals like chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm—the traditional foundation of many bedtime teas.
- Deeper sleep formulas incorporating ingredients such as valerian root, passionflower, hops, and skullcap for consumers with more pronounced sleep concerns.
- Stress-and-cortisol-support blends featuring adaptogens like ashwagandha, holy basil (tulsi), and reishi—bridging daytime stress management with nighttime recovery.
- Caffeine-replacement evening rituals aimed at the growing audience swapping evening alcohol or screen time for a structured wind-down practice.
All blends are produced under SQF Level 2 and USDA Organic protocols, with packaging options spanning pyramid sachets, traditional and iced tea bags, pyramid envelopes, and loose-leaf formats for retail and foodservice.
The “rigor problem” in functional sleep teas
Alongside capacity growth, Caraway is also making a standards argument—especially for the sleep category, where consumer expectations are high and the line between marketing and outcomes can get blurry.
“A bedtime tea makes a promise,” said Gina Caraway, CEO and Co-Founder. “Consumers expect it to help them sleep. That promise is earned through sourcing, formulation, and batch testing. You can put ‘sleep’ on a box. You can’t put it in the cup unless the work is real.”
Caraway says it supports partners from concept to finished goods with in-house blending, small-batch flexibility, and full regulatory documentation—positioning itself as a manufacturing partner for both established brands and emerging wellness companies that want to compete in a crowded, fast-moving category.
What’s next
With the expanded Poughkeepsie facility now online, Caraway Tea Company is accepting inquiries for Q3 productionfor sleep and stress-support blends—an indicator that brands are already planning ahead for late-summer and fall wellness demand.
For brands watching the market, the takeaway is simple: the evening ritual is no longer a trend to test—it’s a product lane to build around. And as consumers get more discerning about what “works,” manufacturers that can deliver traceability, testing, and format flexibility may become the quiet force behind the next wave of functional tea growth.
Source and Related Links
- Press release pickup (Morningstar / PR Newswire syndication): Caraway Tea Company Expands Capacity for Sleep & Stress Wellness Teas
- Company overview page: Caraway Tea Company
- Main site (services / private label positioning): Caraway Tea Company – Private Label Tea Manufacturer
- Company press page (helpful for context + additional announcements): Caraway Tea Company Press
- Additional syndication pickup (Yahoo Finance): Caraway Tea Company Expands Capacity for Sleep & Stress Wellness Teas
- Brand social proof / updates (Facebook page): Caraway Tea Company on Facebook
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