Without a doubt, function and flavour are the two most important factors in the soft drinks market. If your product isn’t offering an added benefit and bold flavour, you’re missing a trick.
We’ve scoured the market and taken a peek at what’s in the NPD pipeline to highlight the top flavour trends in functional soft drinks.
Let’s get into it.
Watermelon & Mint
Summer staple goes mainstream.
Refreshing, colourful, and highly social media-friendly. A go-to for warm weather, watermelon is now getting a grown-up twist with mint. It’s light and perfect for both still and sparkling formats.
Function focus: A great fit for hydration and energy boosting drinks.
Black Cherry & Vanilla
Retro gets an indulgent twist.
Cherry is back with a bang. Think 90s cherry cola, but dialled up with vanilla creaminess. It’s nostalgic and comforting. Taps into the throwback trend and indulgent drinking.
Function focus: The vanilla notes will help this flavour shine in protein-enriched drinks.
Concord Grape
Grape is all growing up and branching out.
Sweet, a little retro, and people love the colour. Always a firm favourite in the US, but now it’s ready to shine worldwide.
Function focus: A great choice for the gut health soda market.
White Peach & Ginger
Light, elegant and levelled up.
White peach offers a softer and more floral flavour note. Add ginger, and you get an instant fiery punch.
Function focus: A firm favourite in the low and no alcohol sector.
Yuzu Lemonade
Zesty with global appeal.
If you haven’t tried yuzu yet, you’re missing out. It’s like lemon, but more fragrant, slightly floral, and with Eastern appeal. Paired with lemonade? Sold.
Function focus: Perfect for a vitamin filled and health focused drink.
Pineapple & Jalapeño
Sweet meets heat.
Sweet pineapple meets a cheeky kick of jalapeño. It’s the kind of flavour that gets people talking (and sipping).
Function focus: A flavour that taps nicely into the immunity boosting trend.
Hibiscus & Raspberry
Floral, fruity, and a little tart.
Pairs together refreshing fruity notes of raspberry with the delicate floral hint of hibiscus.
Function focus: This combo is finding its feet in kombucha and adult soft drinks.
Korean Pear
The wildcard flavour.
Clean, crisp, and subtle, with a wellness twist. Korean pear is being hyped as a natural hangover helper and really bringing the Eastern influence to soft drinks.
Function focus: With connotations of hangover cures, this plays nicely into the growing hydration trend.
Get started with some natural flavour samples.
Feeling inspired? Get in touch to request a natural flavour sample and get your next launch ready.
