From the simplicity of comforting and familiar beverages to adventurous and indulgent experiences, these are the beverage flavour trends to watch this year
Taste is more than just flavour. It’s what drives people to purchase their favorite beverages. To create delicious beverage taste experiences, you need to know your consumers. Which drink flavours are trending? What sensorial experiences are they looking for? The 2023 Kerry Taste and Nutrition Charts explore trending flavours and ingredients, with seven key trends emerging across categories and cuisines. We look at how these trends are playing out in the beverage category, focusing on the refreshing beverage space.
Beverage Trend 1: Mix and Mingle
Adventure and indulgence have taken on a new meaning in today’s uncertain economy. Consumers want achievable excitement and playfulness from their beverages, which is spurring unlikely combinations like spicy habanero and sweet mango, mashups of familiar drinks, fusion cuisines and unconventional flavour pairings.
Market example: A canned mango habanero agua fresca made with real fruit.
Beverage Trend 2: Off the Reel
Social media and the emphasis on visual currency have influenced food and beverage trends at a rapid pace. New recipes and over-the-top beverage creations dressed up with abundant inclusions and toppings – such as vibrant glitters and sprinkles – have an element of familiarity attract consumer curiosity.
Market example: A gin with glitter, perfect for festive nights and impressive cocktails.
Beverage Trend 3: Maximizing Taste
With technological refinement in taste and texture, consumers expect healthy, nutritious, better-for-you and sustainable alternatives to deliver the same taste experience and flavour intensity as mainstream food and beverages.
Market example: A prickly pear flavoured non-carbonated drink made with cactus water.
Beverage Trend 4: Joy in Simple Things
In a fast-paced culture, the simplicity of familiar and comforting flavours continue to bring joy to consumers. While simple flavours thrive in a recessionary environment, nostalgia, comfort and familiarity drive an everlasting appreciation for simple things.
Market example: Ready-to-drink iced coffees showcasing indulgent classics such as cake batter donut, coffee cake muffin and brownie batter donut.
Beverage Trend 5: Roots and Origins
Age old practices, ingredients and recipes are experiencing a revival. Origin stories and lost traditions are finding a new home amid the post-modernization of food coming full circle to authentic and wholesome experiences.
Market example: Georgia peach electrolyte infusions with antioxidants and B vitamins.
Beverage Trend 6: Hint of Health
Health is no longer secondary to taste. In a (relatively) post-pandemic world, rising consumer attention to health and diet has driven the need for functional ingredients and balanced nutrition. Flavours that convey a halo of health, from functionally-forward flavours to those that subtly imply better health, have greater responsibility beyond taste.
Market example: Prebiotic tonic with invigorating notes of ginger and vibrant pomegranate flavours.
Beverage Trend 7: Purpose-driven Taste
The influence of sustainability is extending into consumer decision making for food and beverage purchases – including choice of brands, flavours, ingredients and retailers. Consumer taste preferences are guided by their sustainability consciousness.
Market example: Sachet plant-based beverages to reduce waste and providing healthy living.
Interested in more beverage flavour trends? Download the 2023 Taste and Nutrition Charts or contact us to learn more from our beverage team.
