The News
Naked® Smoothies, a leader in the smoothie category, announced two new protein smoothie flavors—Chocolate Banana Protein and Blueberry Cheesecake Protein—for National Smoothie Day. The products are packed with 20 grams of plant-based protein, 6 grams of fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. They are made with real fruit, no added sugar, and no artificial sweeteners or colors.
What Naked’s new protein‑smoothie launch means for trade
Naked Smoothies has rolled out two 20‑gram protein‑packed flavors—Chocolate Banana and Blueberry Cheesecake—set to hit Target and Albertsons shelves on National Smoothie Day, May 10. The move places the brand squarely in the U.S. RTD protein market, which was valued at roughly $2.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow about 10 % annually through 2030.
The 20‑gram claim marks a jump from Naked’s typical juice range (8–10 g) and positions the drinks as potential post‑workout or meal‑replacement options. The products are marketed with a clean‑label promise—no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no colors—though natural sugar can reach 55 g in some blends.
Competitive context: Premier Protein and other protein‑drinks often rely on sweeteners such as stevia or erythritol to keep sugar low. Naked’s higher natural sugar may influence shelf appeal for health‑conscious buyers who also value protein content.
Distribution remains limited; no wholesale partner has been announced, so the SKUs are only available through Target and Albertsons nationwide. Bars and independent retailers cannot stock the drinks unless a direct partnership is established.
For distributors, this launch offers a chance to test premium positioning in a fast‑growing category while monitoring sugar levels. Retailers should weigh the protein benefit against the higher natural sugar when deciding how prominently to feature these offerings.
Regulatory compliance is straightforward; labels meet FDA standards and contain no hidden loopholes or BYOB shortcuts.
Original Press Release
This National Smoothie Day, Naked® Smoothies, a leader in the smoothie category for more than 40 years, is serving up two new reasons to love smoothies with the debut of Chocolate Banana Protein and Blueberry Cheesecake Protein, which deliver on both craveability and convenience. For those constantly on the move, smoothies have become a go-to, delivering delicious taste and nutritional benefits in one convenient option. With its newest offerings, Naked is leaning into what smoothie lovers want most: bold, craveable flavors paired with functional benefits and everyday ease.
Naked's newest protein smoothies prove that functional ingredients can still deliver on taste. Each smoothie is packed with 20 grams of plant-based protein and boosted with 6 grams of fiber and essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B6 and B12. Made with real fruit, no added sugar and no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors, the new offerings deliver layered flavor experiences. Chocolate Banana Protein offers a rich, chocolate-forward blend balanced by the natural sweetness of banana, while Blueberry Cheesecake Protein features a creamy, velvety texture with bright blueberry notes.
"I'm all about finding balance when craving something that tastes like a treat but also keeps you going," said Coco Gauff, professional tennis player and Naked Chief Smoothie Officer. "These smoothies really hit that sweet spot with a boost of nutrition."
Made with thoughtful ingredients, Naked smoothies provide a quick, satisfying choice for breakfast, post-workout or an afternoon pick-me-up — no prep, no cleanup, just great taste on the go. The launch of Chocolate Banana Protein and Blueberry Cheesecake Protein builds on Naked's continued expansion of its protein offerings, adding new flavor variety to meet evolving consumer preferences for nutritious options across everyday moments.
"Consumer interest in healthy ingredients is exploding today, but Naked has been letting the delicious power of fruits and vegetables speak for themselves since 1983," said Chris Tussing, Chief Marketing Officer at Tropicana Brands Group, the parent company of Naked Smoothies. "With our newest protein smoothies, we're setting a new standard for what Naked smoothie lovers can expect from functional beverages by pairing craveable flavors with plant-based protein, fiber and essential vitamins. We remain focused on creating easy, enjoyable options that taste incredible and support feeling good inside and out."
These new protein smoothies are an example of Tropicana Brands Group's commitment to growing its portfolio of brands and bringing new innovations to market based on what consumers want. Naked's new protein smoothies are available nationwide at major retailers, including Target and Albertsons. For more information, visit nakedsmoothie.com or follow @nakedsmoothie on Instagram and TikTok.
About Naked Smoothies Naked Smoothies, a leader in fruit and veggie nutrition and innovation, was founded and first marketed on the beaches of Santa Monica, California, in 1983. For more than 40 years, Naked's products have been made with high-quality ingredients to provide consumers with easy access to 100% real fruit and veggie juices. Naked Smoothies can be found in supermarkets, club stores, health food stores, airports and neighborhood markets throughout the nation. For more information, visit nakedsmoothie.com.
About Tropicana Brands Group Tropicana Brands Group brings together an exciting global portfolio of some of the world's most iconic juice brands, including Tropicana, Naked, KeVita, Izze, Dole, and Copella. Established in 2022 as a joint venture between PAI Partners and PepsiCo, the company aims to promote new growth for its business, opportunities for its people, and to accelerate a vision to be the undisputed global leader in fresh and chilled beverages. With a global footprint of more than 2,000 associates that spans North America and Europe, we are proud of our industry-leading capabilities in areas that include innovation, R&D, manufacturing, distribution, sales, marketing, and nutrition expertise. For more, please visit www.tropicanabrandsgroup.com.
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Source: PR Newswire