Planet Smoothie, Atlanta, GA, has partnered with South Beach Beverage Company, Inc., Norwalk, CT, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., to develop a line of energy smoothies infused with SoBe Adrenaline Rush, a high-performance energy supplement. The smoothies are designed for active, on-the-go consumers, which Planet Smoothie and SoBe have in common.

Planet Smoothie will offer three SoBe Adrenaline Rush-infused smoothies. The smoothie line includes Tropical Twister (pineapples, orange juice and a hint of cherry); Manic Mango (mangos, blueberries and non-fat yogurt); and Orange Fever (peaches, orange juice, orange sherbet and non-fat milk). SoBe Adrenaline Rush has a bold citrus taste enhanced with a unique blend of energizing elements.
 
Consumer demand for energy is apparent as energy drink sales were up 50% between 2005 and 2006, according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation. “SoBe and Planet Smoothie are a natural partnership, as both brands address the active lifestyles of consumers,” says Chris McCracken, vice president and brand leader of Planet Smoothie. “Our smoothie menu allows consumers to target specific needs—such as low sugar or high protein—and this line of energy smoothies combines our real-fruit beverages with a shot of energy, with no compromises on taste which our research tells us is paramount among consumers.”

Planet Smoothie consumers have the option to add need-specific nutritional supplements to any smoothie with Planet Smoothie blasts, which are blends of vitamins and supplements. Eight blast varieties are available, and each targets a unique focus, including the Women-Only Blast (a blend of calcium, magnesium, boron, vitamin D, folic acid and soy isoflavones) the Fat Burner Blast (an oomph of chromium picolinate, L-carnitine, lecithin and mustard seed); and the Anti-Oxidant Blast (vitamins A, C and E, citrus biofavonoids, zinc and selenium).