These 41 New Foods and Drinks Have Us Singing About Spring
Sara Cagle
Sara Cagle
Sara is a food and lifestyle freelance writer in Los Angeles. She writes a weekly events column for the Los Angeles Times and loves writing food content for Brit + Co. After all, the English language's most fun adjectives are best applied to delicious foods. In her free time, she's a hip hop dancer, avid moviegoer, and thorough face-mask user.
The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the fresh spring air smells like tasty new snacks. Here's everything new treat we're munching and sipping on in March, from virtuous sparkling water to sinfully silky ice cream.
Häagen-Dazs Stout Chocolate Pretzel Crunch ($5): Our top flavor from Häagen-Dazs’ new Spirits collection, this boozy dessert combines pub flavors with premium ice cream. You can taste the toasted malt notes in the stout-infused chocolate base, and the chocolate-covered pretzels and fudge swirls make every bite equal parts creamy, gooey, and crunchy.
Birch Benders Keto Pancake & Waffle Mix ($7): The 2.5-net-carb pancakes we made from this just-add-water mix reminded us of fluffy cornbread. The blend of almond and coconut flours, cassava starch, eggs, and buttermilk makes for a hearty texture. Since the mix is sweetener-free, try with either raspberries or crumbled bacon.
Szent Passionfruit Water ($24/12): We haven't seen a passion- fruit-flavored water on the market before, so we are pleasantly surprised to find one by Szent. The water gets its mild fruity taste not from any extra ingredients but rather from essential oils cleverly infused into the rim.
Non-Dairy Chobani Yogurt Cups ($2): Chobani’s natural coconut-based yogurt gives vegans and dairy lovers a conveniently creamy breakfast or snack in a cup. Our favorite flavor is strawberry (followed by vanilla and blueberry), which has a nostalgically fruity taste that masks the coconutty base.
A Dozen Cousins Cuban Black Beans ($25/6): Keep these smoky, fully cooked beans on hand for all of your quick vegetarian dinner needs. We like them on steamed rice, but they would also be suited to salads, tacos, and nachos.
My/Mo Dulce De Leche Mochi Ice Cream ($5): Each bite of this mochi ice cream combines three dreamy textures. The mochi dough is soft and pillowy; the bittersweet coffee ice cream is cool and silky; and the caramel filling lends just the right amount of sticky chewiness.
Sipp Infusions Strawberry, Lemon, and Thyme ($6/6): This sweet, citrusy, and summery water satisfies when you're craving a sweet soda, but it has just 2 grams of sugar from a touch of agave.
JaM Cellars CandyCans ($20/4): These canned rosés are prettily pink, refreshingly fruity, and available in packs of four — making them an obvious addition to the packing list for a road trip with the girls.
Serendipity Brands Ice Cream ($6): Whether or not you live near Serendipity 3 in New York, a spot famous for its frozen hot chocolate, you can buy the brand’s seven new ice cream pints at 7-Elevens nationwide. We suggest Birthday Cake if you love the sweet taste of frosting and sprinkles or Humble Pie if you believe there’s no such thing as too much peanut butter and chocolate.
Amazi Foods Chili Lime Jackfruit Chews ($6): We can’t stop snacking on these addictive jackfruit chews, which have the texture of dried mango and the sweetness of several tropical fruits rolled into one. The chili-lime seasoning balances out the fruitiness and gives each bite a spicy ending.
Rebellious Mint With Lemongrass Organic Liquid Green Tea ($12/10): Rebellious’ liquid green tea packets mean you don’t have to wait for your tea to steep; just pour a packet into hot or cold water, and stir. We love Mint With Lemongrass as both a hot drink to fight winter colds and a refreshing iced beverage on warmer days.
Magnum Non-Dairy Classic Bar ($5): This vanilla ice cream is so fluffy and similar to the original, we would not have known it was vegan if we hadn’t seen the package.
Smashmallow Toasted Vanilla ($4): Smashmallow’s newest flavor is about as close as you can get to s’mores without chocolate, graham crackers, or a campfire. The tops of these pillowy vanilla marshmallows are seared until golden, and they’re made with ingredients you can pronounce.
Treeline New York Style Cashew Cream Cheese ($7): This is our favorite solution to New York-style bagel cravings when we’re eating dairy-free. Made with just cashews, water, sea salt, and lemon juice, this spread is vegan, but it still has a creamy, spreadable texture and a slight tang.
NadaMoo! Peach Cobbler Dairy-Free Ice Cream ($6): Behold: a coconut-based vegan ice cream that doesn’t taste like coconut. Peach Cobbler’s peach base is brightly fruity and supremely smooth, and it gets bonus points for the gluten-free pie crust flecked throughout.
Orange Vanilla Coca-Cola ($1): If you’re a fan of citrusy Creamsicles, get your hands on a can of this summery Coke as soon as possible. The cola tastes like an orange ice cream float sans dairy, and it has us pumped that Coke is introducing new flavors for the first time since 2007.
Base Culture Chocolate Espresso Almond Butter ($34/4): This paleo-friendly spread combines the bold flavors of chocolate and coffee without being too bitter or too sweet, and we’ve been eating it by the spoonful for dessert. The roughly ground almonds make it pretty chunky, so if you’re having it on toast, you may want to add a layer of honey or maple syrup for moisture.
Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Chocolate Caramel Cluster ($6): We’re actually bigger fans of this multi-textured chocolate ice cream than we are of B&J’s new vegan cookie dough ice cream. The chocolate base tastes like B&J’s original dairy version, and it’s generously embellished with salty caramel ribbons, fudgy chocolate chunks, and crunchy roasted peanuts.
Oikos Oh! Salt-Dusted Caramel Creme Double Cream Yogurt ($1): Don’t expect Oikos’ tangy Greek yogurt when you spoon this double-cream indulgence. Instead, get ready for damn serious richness and dessert-worthy caramel flavor. At 220 calories a serving, it’s not an everyday treat, but it is much more fulfilling than caramel candies.
M&M's Internationally Inspired Flavors ($3): We’re so smitten with all three M&M’s Flavor Vote creations — Mexican Jalapeño Peanut, Thai Coconut Peanut, and English Toffee Peanut — that we’ll have trouble voting on a favorite by May.
Tasty Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Crunch ($5): Let the freak-outs commence. Buzzfeed’s Tasty just launched a line of ice creams that includes flavors like Peanut Butter S’mores Smash and Vanilla Galaxy Twist. Our favorite is Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Crunch, a dense chocolate ice cream studded with crunchy pretzel bites and swirled with salted caramel.
Catalina Artisan Snacks Cinnamon Toast Cereal ($39/4 bags): This low-sugar, gluten-free alternative to Cinnamon Toast Crunch tastes like cinnamon rolls and cartoons on a Saturday morning. It’s also vegan and keto-friendly, so you can share it with just about any kind of dieter.
SuperFat Protein Nut Butter ($35/box of 10): We’re very into this blend of plant protein, macadamia butter, and almond butter as a midday boost when we’re eating low-carb. Rich and filling, it has just a hint of cookie-dough flavor.
Spindrift Lime ($26/24 cans): As usual, Spindrift’s latest beverage is made with real fruit juice and no sugar. That makes this fizzy water pretty tart, but we love its genuine lime flavor for both solo sipping and as a mixer in cocktails.
Kiito Vanilla Ashwagandha Plant-Protein Drink ($5): With 20 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar per bottle, Kiito marks another tasty find for the ketotarian or low-carb dieter. Coconut milk and vanilla beans guarantee smooth, sweet sipping, while ashwagandha adds a unique adaptogenic benefit.
Hippeas Nacho Vibes Organic Chickpea Puffs ($20/6): Grab these when you want the light crunch and stick-to-your-fingers cheesiness of Cheetos Puffs. They’ll satisfy your craving without filling you with bloaty regret.
Daily Harvest Spinach + Shiitake Grits Harvest Bowl (From $7 per cup): Nourishing from millet and veggies and just a bit creamy from cashew butter, this stovetop meal tastes like a healthy version of cheesy Southern-style grits. We like to doctor ours up with additional nutritional yeast, salt, and ghee to intensify the savory flavors.
Vital Proteins Collagen Water ($18/4 bottles): You can definitely taste the 10 grams of collagen in this lightly lemony drink, but it’s restorative, protein-rich, and surprisingly delicious.
Cali'flour Foods Cauliflower & Yellow Lentil Pasta ($39/6-pack): This veggie-rich pasta line looks and chews just like traditional pasta, but it has twice the protein (14 grams per serving) and about 25 percent fewer carbs.
The Republic of Tea SuperAdapt Hormone Harmony Tea ($14): This maca-ginseng herbal tea drinks smooth and tastes slightly nutty. You’ll swear your cup was sweetened with maple syrup, but the flavor is all natural.
Black Forest Gummy Bears ($16/12): Thanks to their softly chewy texture and dedication to using real fruit juice and colors, these nostalgic gummies won a distinctive Product of the Year award.
Banza Chickpea Rice ($4): Chickpea-pasta company Banza just expanded its product offerings to include Chickpea Rice, legume-based rice. They may have our rice loyalty for life. We like that the texture of the cooked Chickpea Rice is more similar to orzo pasta than to rice, and we’ve been eating it nonstop with just salt, pepper, and a pat of butter. It’s pricey, but the protein content (11 grams per serving) and comforting taste is worth the splurge.
Blue Apron Knick Knacks ($8): These meal kits keep the best parts of Blue Apron (single-use pantry ingredients and step-by-step recipes) but allow you to use your own fresh ingredients. Buy the Mexican-Spiced Chicken Quinoa Bowl kit, for example, then combine the contents with fresh chicken and produce you buy at the store. While you still have to make a grocery trip, you waste less food, particularly random condiments and spices, and spend less time menu planning.
Mati Raspberry Mint Sparkling Organic Energy Drink ($30/12): We love the crisp, minty finish on this fruity yet sugar-free seltzer. Don't be scared away by the drink's odd brown color; that's just due to its use of caffeinating guayusa leaves.
Halo Top Strawberry Cheesecake ($46/4): Though generously swirled with graham crackers and cheesecake pieces, this bright berry ice cream tastes like a lighter, less guilt-inducing version of the classic dessert. Grab it now through the end of May.
Reese's Thins ($4): Individually wrapped and 40 percent thinner than classic Reese's, these 60-calorie chocolates are the ideal purse or desk snack. One caveat: If you're very into peanut butter, you're better off buying the nuttier Reese's Minis.
Target The Collection Wine ($10): Bulk up your booze collection with Target's just-released assortment of affordable, easy-to-drink wines. We're fans of the pinot grigio, chardonnay, and rosé for picnics, as well as the cabernet and red wine blend for dinner parties and casual weeknight sipping.
Ripple Barista Style Plant-Based Milk ($5): Ever since our office taste test, even those who usually turn up their noses at non-dairy milks have been adding this to their morning coffee. More neutral than sweet (despite its 5 grams of sugar per serving), Barista Style froths until velvety and has become our go-to creamer to whirl.
Larabar Chocolate Hazelnut Swirl ($1): Craving a candy bar? Grab this date-, nut-, and chocolate-based bar instead. With a touch of salt and unexpected pear, it expertly balances saltiness and sweetness.
Perfect Bites ($4): We're obsessed with peanut butter Perfect Bars, but they often feel too dense and high-calorie to finish in one sitting. The solution? These pop-able Perfect Bites, which are packaged about 40 per refrigerated cup. Pluck 10 at once for a 160-calorie snack, or graze on them throughout the day.
Gardetto's Crisps ($3): You'll feel like a kid again when you bite into these thin and crispy crackers, covered in Gardetto's classic snack-mix seasoning. Grab them when you're craving a convenience-store snack that isn't overly oily.
Sara Cagle
Sara is a food and lifestyle freelance writer in Los Angeles. She writes a weekly events column for the Los Angeles Times and loves writing food content for Brit + Co. After all, the English language's most fun adjectives are best applied to delicious foods. In her free time, she's a hip hop dancer, avid moviegoer, and thorough face-mask user.