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.
Tostitos enters the refrigerated aisle
PepsiCo's Tostitos is launching its first guacamole dip, marking the brand's entry into the refrigerated aisle.
The offering, to be released this fall, is called Tostitos Chunky Guacamole: Mild, Hint of Lime Flavored Dip. The dip features Hass avocados, no artificial colors or preservatives and can be paired with Tostitos or other tortilla chips.
"With Tostitos Chunky Guacamole, we're bringing the iconic Tostitos experience into the refrigerated aisle for the first time," Courtney Larson, vice president of PepsiCo Foods U.S., said in a statement.
The new launch also comes as Tostitos undergoes a brand refresh to better highlight their ingredients.
Avocado consumption has soared in recent years, with the fruit benefitting from health trends and a consumer appetite for global flavors. Avocados From Mexico, a subsidiary of the Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association, said earlier this year that avocado imports to the U.S. are projected to reach a record 2.5 billion pounds for the 2025-2026 season, the highest volume in history.
PepsiCo called chips and guacamole one of the most beloved snack pairings in the U.S., with 64% of consumers eating guacamole with tortilla chips. By launching a refrigerated dip, Tostitos is expanding beyond shelf-stable offerings to bring new meal occasions to consumers, from quick snacking to at-home entertaining.
This isn't the first time PepsiCo has leveraged one of its snack brands for a refrigerated dip. In 2022, the company rolled out Doritos inspired dips for pizzas, wings and veggies.
— Sarah Zimmerman
Modelo launches high ABV beer to reach young drinkers
Modelo is looking to cater to Generation Z with a new offering that packs a punch.
Modelo Chelada Suprema is a blended mix of Mexican-style beer with fruit flavors featuring 8% alcohol-by-volume. The beers are available in 24-ounce cans and in two flavors: Mangonada, which has flavors of mango and chamoy, and Tropical with hints of guava and pineapple.
“Modelo Chelada Suprema gives people the bolder, higher‑proof option they’ve been asking for, without losing the authentic Mexican flavor they love,” Logan Jensen, vice president of brand marketing at Modelo, said in a statement. “It lets us show up in new moments that feel social, spontaneous, and worth celebrating.”
With the launch, Modelo is hoping to tap into consumers’ interest in high alcohol, premixed beverages. More than 70% of Generation Z and Millennial drinkers want to to experiment with new ready-to-drink flavors, and 30% of the same cohort are seeking international flavors, according to Mintel data cited by Modelo.
Modelo launched its first Chelada offering in 2013, a take on the Mexican beer cocktail Michelada. The Chelada line also debuted Modelo’s first nonalcoholic offering earlier this year.
— Laurel Deppen
Jolly Rancher quenches its thirst with tea
Jolly Rancher is teaming up with ready-to-drink tea brand Ryl Tea to bring a little flavor to the popular beverage.
The Hershey-owned candy worked closely with Ryl Tea over several months to replicate the candy’s signature taste in iced tea form. The beverage is available in three of Jolly Rancher’s most popular flavors: blue raspberry, green apple and cherry.
The companies said the new iced tea taps into the product attributes each brand is known for in the market. Jolly Rancher provides bold, nostalgic tastes while Ryl brings a mix of better-for-you ingredients. Each can has zero sugar, five calories or less, and Vitamin C and other antioxidants.
“The Jolly Rancher brand has always stood for bold and impossibly fruity flavors” Ernie Savo, senior director of global licensing at Hershey, said in a statement. “Partnering with Ryl Tea allows us to bring Jolly Rancher Candy’s iconic flavor into a new format that feels fresh, unexpected, and perfect for today’s consumer.”
Ryl said partnering with the popular Jolly Rancher brand can help the upstart stand out in a crowded beverage category and appeal to a new generation of consumers.
The beverage is available nationwide at Target, Walmart and major retailers. The cherry flavor is launching exclusively at Target.
Other candy brands have brought their flavors into drinks. In February, Sparkling Ice teamed with Mars-owned Life Saver on a line of sparkling waters.
The 77-year-old Jolly Rancher, best known for its fruity hard candy flavors, has been bringing the brand into new categories to broaden its appeal and usage occasions. The candy now has a presence in gummies, ropes and freeze-dried sweets.
— Christopher Doering
