Field of the Invention [002] The invention relates to reduced-calorie, freezable beverages and sugar-free creamers that can be used therewith.

Background of the Invention [003] There is great demand for products that are low-calorie, low sugar (or sugar-free), and/or low fat. Manufacturing"frozen"drinks with such properties, however, has not yet been successfully achieved.

[004] Commercially available frozen coffee drinks, for example, are typically made using a coffee concentrate that is diluted with water then"slushed"in a machine, such as a soft-serve ice cream machine. The product can then be consumed alone or with a creamer.

[005] These soft-serve ice cream machines typically require a minimum of 11-12 °Brix. Brix is the percentage of soluble solids, which are commonly sugars.

A high Brix value is associated with depressing the freezing point of the beverage.

Typically, a low molecular weight sugar alcohol, such as sorbitol, is added to depress the freezing point of the beverage. Unfortunately, however, sorbitol adds a substantial amount of calories to the beverage. Thus, there is a need for a palatable frozen beverage that is low in calories.

Summary of the Invention [006] Beverage concentrates, freezable beverages, and frozen beverages are described. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a 3X concentrate comprising about 0.01 to about 0.4 % by weight high-potency sweetener, about 1 to about 30 % by weight flavoring, about 1 to about 35 % by weight sugar substitute, and about 1

to about 12 % by weight alcohol, wherein the concentrate has less than about 33 °Brix. Preferred embodiments also contain about 0. 01 to about 3 % texture modifier.

Detailed Description of the Invention [007] The invention is directed to freezable beverages, such as frozen coffee or tea drinks, smoothies, slushies, bar mixes, ice cream products, and the like; as used herein, the tenn"beverage"is used broadly to cover these types of products.

As used herein, the term"fruit"includes fruit solids and fruit juice.

[008] One embodiment of the invention is a 3X concentrate that can be diluted and slushed prior to consumption. The concentrate contains water, a sweetener (preferably a reduced-calorie and/or high potency sweetener such as <BR> <BR> Sucralose, Acesulfame K, Aspartame, Neotame, Saccharin, etc. ), a sugar substitute<BR> (such as polyols such as sorbitol, lactitol, maltitol, xylitol, mannitol, etc. ), and one or more consumable alcohols (preferably ethanol). Generally, the concentrate will also <BR> <BR> contain flavoring agents (such as fruit, coffee extracts, tea extracts, etc. ), coloring agents (such as caramel color), and texture modifiers (such as carboxymethylcellulose, pectin, carrageenan, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, etc. ) to control ice crystal growth and/or to modify texture. Other common ingredients that can be used are those well known in the art, such as antifoam agents.

[009] Preferably, the 3X concentrate contains about 0.01-0. 4% high potency sweetener, preferably about 0.02-0. 4%, preferably about 0.03-0. 2%, preferably about 0.05-0. 2%; about 1-30% flavoring, preferably about 2-18%, preferably about 2-15%; about 1-35% sugar substitute, preferably about 1-32%, preferably about 1 to about 25%, preferably about 1 to about 9%, preferably about 1 to about 4%; about 0.3-12% alcohol, preferably about 1-10%, preferably about 1 to about 6% (for alcoholic beverages, preferably about 4-10%; for non-alcoholic beverages, preferably less than about 3%, preferably less than about 1.5%).

[010] In a preferred coffee-flavored embodiment of the 3X concentrate, the flavoring comprises coffee extract. In addition, a preferred coffee-flavored embodiment contains preferably about 0.0001-0. 001% antifoam agent, preferably about 0.0002-0. 0006%; preferably about 0.01-3% texture modifier, preferably about

0.08-0. 5%, and/or preferably up to about 1% salt, preferably up to about 0.6%. As used herein,"salt"refers to edible salts, preferably sodium chloride.

[011] In a preferred smoothie embodiment, a 2X concentrate preferably contains about 0.01-0. 4% high potency sweetener, preferably about 0.02-0. 4%, preferably about 0.02-0. 2%, preferably about 0.05-0. 2%; about 1-60% fruit, preferably about 3-40%, preferably about 12-22%; about 1-25% sugar substitute, preferably about 2 to about 10%; about 0.2-12% alcohol, preferably about 1-10% (for alcoholic beverages, preferably about 4-10%; for non-alcoholic beverages, preferably less than about 3%, preferably less than about 1. 5%). In a particularly preferred smoothie embodiment preferably contains about 0.01-3% texture modifier, preferably about 0.02-0. 1%; preferably about 0.01-1% salt, preferably about 0.02- 1% ; and/or preferably about 0.05-2% additional flavoring, preferably about 0.1- 1.2%.

[012] Alternatively, the concentrate could range from just over 1X to 5X or greater. The relative amounts of each ingredient could be easily recalculated accordingly.

[013] Preferably, the concentrate is aseptically manufactured and shelf- stable at room temperature until opened when ready for use.

[014] Another embodiment of the invention is a freezable beverage comprising a concentrate that has been diluted to a palatable beverage. For a 3X concentrate, 1 part concentrate would be added to about 2 parts water. The freezable beverage comprises an effective amount of alcohol to produce a beverage that can be slushed using machines commonly used in the art for such purpose. Preferably, the amount of alcohol is about 0.2-1%. For some applications, the amount of alcohol used is preferably less than 0.5%, thereby qualifying the product as"alcohol free" according to certain governmental regulations. However, if the freezable beverage is intended as an alcoholic beverage, then more than 0.5% alcohol may be desirable.

[015] Generally, within the alcohol range of 0-0.5%, the higher part of this range is preferred because less other soluble solids, such as sugar alcohols, is then required to achieve adequate slushing. Preferably, a coffee beverage embodiment, for example, contains about 0.1-0. 5% alcohol, more preferably about 0.2-0. 5% alcohol, more preferably about 0.3-0. 5%.

[016] Preferred embodiments of the freezable beverage of the invention are low in calories, preferably less than 12.5 calories/oz, more preferably less than about 10 calories/oz, more preferably less than about 8 calories/oz, more preferably about 7 calories/oz or less.

[017] Typically, the low-calorie, freezable beverage will have a low Brix value, such as less than about 10 °Brix, preferably less than about 7 °Brix, and more preferably as low as 3 °Brix or lower. Advantageously, a freezable beverage with a lower Brix value is generally lower in calories. Surprisingly, a preferred embodiment of the invention has a lower Brix value than the equipment manufacturer's assumptions for what is required to produce an adequate slush in their equipment, which is generally at least 11-12 °Brix. Preferably, the various composition embodiments of the invention are made aseptically.

[018] Another embodiment of the invention is a creamer, preferably sugar- free, that can be mixed with the freezable beverage. The freezable beverage, however, can be used alone or with other creamers. The use of skim milk, for example, would largely retain the benefit of a low calorie product. Preferably, 1 part creamer is mixed with about 3 parts slushed beverage.

[019] Preferably, the creamer contains water; about 0.1-10% emulsifier, more preferably about 2.5-5% ; about 0.001-2% stabilizer, more preferably about 0.02-1% ; about 1-15% sweetener (preferably a sugar substitute), more preferably about 3-8%; about 0.01-25% fat, preferably about 0.01-12%, more preferably about 0.1-3%. In a preferred embodiment, the creamer also contains 0.0001-0. 01% antifoam agent, more preferably 0.0002-0. 005%; about 0.001-1. 0 flavoring, more preferably 0.01-0. 2%; and about 0.01-0. 8% stabilizer salt; more preferably about 0.03-0. 1%.

[020] Suitable emulsifiers include, for example, mono and diglycerides, sodium stearoyl lactylate, sucrose esters, DATEM, or other known emulsifiers.

Suitable sugar substitutes include, for example, Sucralose, Acesulfame K, Neotame, Aspartame, Saccharin, etc. Suitable fats include animal-based fats, such as butterfat, or, preferably, vegetable oils, such as palm kernel oil, butterfat, coconut oil, soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, etc. Other common ingredients that can be used are those well known in the art, such as antifoam agents and salts.

[021] The present invention will now be described in detail with respect to showing how certain specific representative embodiments thereof may be made, apparatus and process steps being understood as examples that are intended to be illustrative only. In particular, the invention is not intended to be limited to the methods, ingredients, conditions, process parameters, apparatus and the like specifically recited herein.

Example 1: Coffee 3X Concentrate INGREDIENT % wt Water 63. 5353 Sucralose (25% Solution) 0.1846 Coffee Extract 10.8532 Coffee Expresso Extract 0.4193 Chocolate Flavor 0.2098 Caramel Color 1.3962 Antifoam Dow Corning 0.0004 Sorbitol (70% solution) 17.5650 Natural flavor (21 % alcohol by volume) 5.7144 CMC 0.1218 TOTAL 100. 0000 [022] The water (cold) was mixed with the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in a high shear mixer. This slurry was added to all of the other ingredients which are mixed at room temperature. Sweep mixer at 70%. The mixture, which was produced aseptically, contained about 18 °Brix, about 1.2% alcohol, and about 22 calories per fluid ounce.

Example 2: Sugar-Free Creamer INGREDIENT % wt Water 89. 1414 PKO 2.3189 Antifoam Powdered 0.0016 Sodium Caseinate (as premix) 3.5981 Carrageenan (as premix) 0. 0400 Sorbitol (70% solution) 4.6480 Condensed Milk flavor 0.0280

Milk flavor 0.0280 Emplex (as premix) 0.1000 Dimodan monoglycerides (as premix) 0.0300 Disodium Phosphate (as premix) 0.0660 TOTAL 100. 0000 [023] The mixing procedure is as follows: Add water at 150-160 °F ; sweep mixer at 70%; high shear off. Maintain temperature above 140 °F. Add palm kernel oil with same mixing as above. Add antifoam with same mixing as above. 3.8342% of a premix (the final percentages shown above) is very slowly sprinkled into the mix. This can be added with the sorbitol. Sweep mixer 70%; high shear mixer 80% ; temperature 140-155 °F. The product must be mixed until lumps are completely gone. When the product is thoroughly mixed, turn the high shear mixer off and reduce the sweep mixer to 60%. Hold mix at 140-165 °F for no more than 2 h. The mixture, which was made aseptically, contained about 7 °Brix and about 15 calories per fluid ounce.

Example 3: Frozen Coffee Beverage [024] A frozen coffee beverage was prepared by diluting 1 part of the concentrate from Example 1 with 2 parts water. The mixture was then added to a soft-serve ice cream machine and slushed according to the normal operating guidelines for the machine. The product formed a semi-liquid slush that could be easily dispensed using the standard dispensing valves of the machine. The mixture contained about 6 °Brix, about 0.5% alcohol, and about 7 calories per fluid ounce.

Example 4: Coffee 3X Concentrate INGREDIENT % wt Water 74. 1795 Sucralose (25% Solution) 0.18 Coffee Extract 10.87 Coffee Flavor 0.25 Caramel Color 1'. 4 Antifoam Dow Corning 0.0005 Sorbitol (70% solution) 3.0 Natural flavor (21% alcohol by volume) 10.0

CMC cellulose gum 0.12 TOTAL 100 The coffee concentrate was prepared by the method described in Example 1. The mixture contained about 9 °Brix, about 2. 1% alcohol, and about 12 calories per fluid ounce.

Example 5: Frozen Coffee Beverage [025] A frozen coffee beverage was prepared by diluting 1 part of the concentrate from Example 4 with 2 parts water. The mixture was then added to a Taylor-type soft-serve ice cream machine and slushed according to the normal operating guidelines for the machine. The product formed a semi-liquid slush that could be easily dispensed using the standard dispensing valves of the machine. The mixture contained about 3 °Brix, about 0.7 % alcohol, and about 4 calories per fluid ounce.

Example 6: Strawberry 2X Concentrate INGREDIENT % wt Water 66. 81 Sucralose (25% Solution) 0.08 Strawberry mixture 20.0 (80% strawberries, 20% sucrose) Sodium chloride 0. 04 Sorbitol (70% solution) 3.0 Natural flavor (21 % alcohol by volume) 10.0 CMC cellulose gum 0.07 TOTAL 100 The strawberry concentrate was prepared by the method described in Example 1, except all mixing was done with a sweep mixer without high shear. The concentrate can be prepared aseptically. The mixture contained about 11 °Brix, about 2. 1% alcohol, and about 14 calories per fluid ounce.

Example 7: Frozen Strawberry Smoothie [026] A frozen strawberry smoothie beverage was prepared by diluting 1 part of the concentrate from Example 6 with 1 part water. The mixture was then added to a Bunn smoothie machine and slushed according to the normal operating guidelines for the machine. The product formed a semi-liquid slush that could be easily dispensed using the standard dispensing valves of the machine. The mixture contained about 5. 5 °Brix, about 1. 05 % alcohol, and about 7 calories per fluid ounce.