Tropical Smoothie Cafe has launched the "Smoothie Dog," a limited-edition frozen treat, as part of a seasonal promotional partnership with the Loco Beach Coconuts baseball team. The activation, occurring from 2 to 3 July 2026, involves both a product launch and a team-led eating contest at VyStar Ballpark in Jacksonville, Florida.
Product Development
The Smoothie Dog is a hot-dog-shaped popsicle inspired by the brand’s Bahama Mama™ smoothie. The product is designed to serve as a summer-themed item for the sports entertainment venue. To mimic the visual appearance of a traditional hot dog, the brand has utilised a selection of fruit-based syrups:
🍓 Strawberry syrup as "ketchup"
🍍 Pineapple syrup as "mustard"
🥝 Muddled kiwi as "relish"
A limited supply of these items is available during pre-game festivities at the ballpark, alongside samples of the brand’s core menu items, including the Loco Beach Colada and Bahama Mama™ smoothie.
Smoothie Dog Eating Contest
As the Official Smoothie Partner of the Loco Beach Coconuts, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has integrated the product launch with a performance-based activation. On 2 July, during the team’s game against the Indianapolis Clowns, players participated in a "Smoothie Dog Eating Contest."
The contest replaces traditional food-based challenges with the branded popsicle. The winning player receives a year’s supply of smoothies, providing the brand with high-visibility engagement during the live event.
"At its core, Banana Ball is all about entertaining fans and bringing families together, and that spirit really resonates with us at Tropical Smoothie Cafe," said Deborah von Kutzleben, Chief Marketing Officer of Tropical Smoothie Café, LLC.
"As part of our partnership with the Loco Beach Coconuts this season, we introduced Smoothie Dogs as our way of stepping up to the plate and bringing a little more fun, flavor and feel-good energy to game day."
Partnership
The collaboration is designed to align the Tropical Smoothie Cafe brand with the audience of the Loco Beach Coconuts. By leveraging the team's presence in sports entertainment, the brand aims to increase product awareness through experiential marketing. This activation follows a focus on integrating food and beverage offerings into professional sports environments, using playful formats to facilitate consumer interaction and media coverage.
