Beverage Concepts Trending in the Drinks Sector

The beverage industry has been facing a variety of challengesof late including rising prices, supply issues, and the fact that most beverage categories are mature. The desire for new, exciting, healthy products has prompted companies to adopt new marketing tactics and to launch products that have something new to entice consumers. The following are some of the biggest trends dominating the industry, all of which aim to adapt to changing consumer preferences.

Plant-Based Beverages

The desire for plant-based foods has led to a big demand for dairy-free and plant-based beverages such as almond and oat milk served hot and cold alike. The biggest challenge for manufacturers is to create nut milks that match milk in terms of flavor and nutritional profile. This goal is being achieved by fortifying nut milks with Vitamins A and D. Nut milks are also creamier than ever thanks to the addition of healthy fats like rapeseed oil.

Healthy Teas

Superfood teas such as green, jasmine, Rooibos, and hibiscus tea are key ingredients in hot and cold beverages alike, since many are powerhouses of polyphenols and antioxidants which promote brain and heart health. Many types of tea have components like methylxanthine, which gives you an energy boost while also relaxing muscles. Another vital ingredient is L-theanine, an amino acid that keeps you alert without making you nervous unlike caffeine. Because different tea types have specific nutritional components that are conducive to good health, many consumers are embracing the tea club experience which involves sampling different types of international tea sent to their home on a monthly basis. The latter is another novel approach to tea drinking, as it invites consumers to savor teas that are commonly enjoyed in far-off corners of the globe. These range from the small region of Shizuoka in Japan to the tea growing region of Riza in Turkey.

Sustainable Packaging

Consumers have spoken loud and clear. They are willing to pay a higher price for sustainable products, and that means not only beverages containing sustainably grown and sourced ingredients but also those with eco-friendly packaging. Innovative materials include bottles made of recycled PET bottles and cellulose-fiber. One startup product, the Green Gen Bottle, is 100% compostable. Bacardi, meanwhile, has announced that in 2023, it will replace 90 million plastic bottles with a new type of bottle that uses seed oil instead of crude oil. The result is a bottle that biodegrades in any environment containing microorganisms including home composting bins.

Caffeinated Beverages

Coffee has always been a popular way to boost energy; but this year, this ingredient is being served in new formats including sodas, flavored waters, and juices. The Coca-Cola company is currently innovating with its RTD coffee drink, which is available in several flavors that are blended with Brazilian coffee. In the summer, a coke with a dark blend coffee, vanilla, and caramel sounds appealing indeed, as does Coke with Coffee and zero sugar.

The drinks industry now being forced to come up with creative new beverages that appeal to younger and older generations alike. Just a few of the hottest trends include plant-based beverages and antioxidant-rich tea drinks in hot and cold format. Coffee also continues to hold sway and is now a starring ingredient in many refreshing summer drinks.