Formulation expertise pays off for unique line of canned coffee shandy cold brews
Amani Coffee Company is a purpose-driven producer of single-origin craft roasted organic coffee. Swahili for “peace”, Amani goes beyond fair trade by working directly with coffee farmers in the Democratic Republic of Congo to grow the best coffee from the best soil. The company lives up to its tagline “Pour Positivity®” by paying the Congolese farmers an equal and living wage and reinvesting back into the Congolese community in ways it matters most to them, including roads, schools, better equipment, and clean water supply.
The production process equally matches the core value messaging, as the coffee cherries are hand-picked in the DRC and then shipped directly to Amani’s facility in the U.S where they are locally roasted and sold ground or whole bean in both dark and light roast offerings.
Wanting to expand into the canned cold brew beverage category, Amani approached Menu Collective to lead the beverage development. Based on current beverage trends and category insights on the top-selling flavors, Menu Collective defined the new line of canned cold brew to include:
- Original
- Vanilla
- Hazelnut
- Caramel
- Non-dairy oat milk latte
In addition to beverage formulation, Menu Collective assisted Amani with sourcing quality ingredients that measure up to the company’s core values. These products are currently in production and will hit the market in 2022.
“Working with Menu Collective helps transform our business by giving us industry insight beyond our knowledge. Together, they helped develop the formula for our line of Sparkling Coffee Shandy products, a truly unique product on the coffee market. Ultimately, our partnership helped grow our revenue exponentially.”
James Parrelly
Founder/CEO
Now, the two companies are working on the next beverage innovation: coffee shandies. Although a shandy is typically beer mixed with either flat or sparkling lemonade, this new line of coffee shandies will be part coffee and part carbonated juice. Relying again on their extensive knowledge of beverage trends and innovation, Menu Collective is formulating three new canned sparkling coffee shandy cold brew beverages for the Amani Coffee Company:
- Cherry
- Ginger
- Grapefruit
Anticipated launch is late 2022 or early 2023.
Creativity shaping a new wave of cold brew shandies
As a leading beverage development company, Menu Collective’s collaboration with Amani Coffee Company highlights the growing demand for unique coffee drink development that merges familiar beverage categories in unexpected ways. By blending the rich depth of cold brew coffee with the lively effervescence and bright, fruit-forward notes of a shandy, this innovative cold brew shandy formulation appeals to consumers looking for distinctive RTD experiences. Each flavor is carefully crafted to maintain coffee as the hero while enhancing refreshment with carbonation and fruit elements, showing how thoughtful formulation can elevate a ready-to-drink coffee line beyond traditional offerings.
Each flavor profile is designed to balance taste and experience. From subtle hints of cherry and grapefruit to the warming zest of ginger, every sip reflects a deliberate cold brew shandy formulation. This meticulous attention to flavor layering highlights how unique coffee drink development can produce standout products in a competitive RTD market.
Beyond flavor, this approach demonstrates a broader strategy in beverage innovation: creating products that surprise and delight while remaining approachable. By reimagining traditional beverages through cold brew shandy formulation, Menu Collective and Amani Coffee Company craft drinks that tell a story, engage the palate, and set the stage for future sparkling coffee innovations and other unique coffee drink development projects. If you’re ready to explore how innovative beverage concepts can elevate your brand, reach out to Menu Collective to start your formulation journey today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A cold brew shandy is a hybrid beverage that combines the smooth, rich flavors of cold brew coffee with the effervescence and fruit-forward notes of a shandy. This unique format delivers a refreshing, sparkling coffee experience that’s perfect for adventurous consumers.
Menu Collective applies a combination of market trend research, ingredient sourcing, and flavor balancing to develop beverages that stand out. Each product is carefully formulated to maintain coffee as the hero while exploring innovative twists like carbonation, fruit infusion, or alternative milk bases.
Yes. The beverages are designed for anyone who enjoys coffee and sparkling drinks, offering a unique flavor experience without alcohol. They are approachable, refreshing, and crafted to appeal to both coffee enthusiasts and trend-focused consumers.
Absolutely. Menu Collective specializes in creating unique coffee beverages, including sparkling coffee shandies. They provide expertise in flavor development, ingredient sourcing, carbonation, and RTD beverage production to help brands launch distinctive coffee drinks.
The anticipated launch for Amani Coffee Company’s sparkling coffee shandies is late 2022 or early 2023, with distribution in ready-to-drink formats that maintain freshness, carbonation, and flavor integrity.