PepsiCo Inc. plans to launch a new line of dairy drinks from premium ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's later this year, according to the Associated Press.
The drink deal with PepsiCo will be Ben & Jerry's first licensing agreement, said Elizabeth McDonough, Ben & Jerry's associate new product manager.
The milk shakes will be refrigerated, not frozen, and bottled in 8-oz. glass containers.
"What we're really trying to do is bring the indulgence and reverence" of Ben & Jerry's to a new line of drinks, McDonough said. "For us, it�s about leveraging Pepsi's expertise in beverages combined with our experience in making indulgent products."
The new product will be launched this summer, she said. The three initial flavors have not been released, but likely will be iconic Ben and Jerry's combinations, McDonough said.
South Burlington, Vt.-based Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc., now owned by the Unilever, is known for its rich, �funky� flavors such as Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Chunky Monkey�banana ice cream with chocolate chips.
The milk shakes will be available in convenience stores and grocery stores around the country, McDonough said.
Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo also sells Frappuccinos and Starbucks DoubleShots, refrigerated milk and coffee drinks, and flavored Quaker Milk Chillers. "Right now we're looking to expand our noncarbonated beverage portfolio," said Michelle Naughton, Pepsi's associate manager of public relations.
The PepsiCo deal is Ben & Jerry's first venture into the drink line outside of its retail shops, McDonough said. The company sells milk shakes, fruit smoothies and other drinks in its scoop shops.
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