Beverage innovation plays a vital role in shaping the future of the global drinks industry. As consumer preferences evolve, innovation allows brands to stay relevant, competitive and responsive to emerging health, sustainability and lifestyle trends.
In a saturated market, new product development drives differentiation. It enables brands to tell fresh stories, tap into niche audiences, and create buzz across digital platforms. Beverage innovation also supports public health goals by offering better-for-you options with reduced sugar, added nutrients, or natural ingredients.
From a business perspective, innovation fuels growth by opening new revenue streams and expanding market reach.
Here’s what’s new on shelves around the globe this week.
Veggie blends at Innocent Drinks
Innocent Drinks is expanding its smoothie portfolio with the launch of two new high-vegetable blends: Green Goodness and Red Goodness. Designed to support healthier lifestyles, both smoothies contain over 25% vegetables while remaining fruit-led, offering a refreshing taste with no added sugar. Each variant is a source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, and contributes to one of your five-a-day.
Green Goodness blends spinach, cucumber, and courgette with apple, mandarin, and lemon, finished with mint, turmeric, and spirulina for a cool, nutrient-rich profile. Red Goodness combines beetroot, cherry, spinach, courgette, and carrot for a bold, earthy flavor and vibrant color. Both smoothies contain less than 10g of naturally occurring sugar per 100ml.
Available now in Sainsbury’s in 750ml and 250ml formats, the range will roll out across major UK supermarkets in the coming months. The launch responds to growing consumer demand for lower-sugar, nutrient-dense drinks and supports the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 400g of fruit and veg per day: currently only met by 12% of Europeans.
Sarah Munday, Head of Research and Development at Innocent, said: “We’re on a mission to get more of us eating fruit and veg, so whether drinkers opt for a green or a red smoothie, they can be sure they’re getting a drink packed full of goodness.”
Kirker Greer Spirits unveils Four Seasons Collection
Kirker Greer Spirits has introduced the Kirker Four Seasons Collection, a new premium range of blended Irish whiskeys inspired by Ireland’s seasonal landscape. The collection features four expressions (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn) each crafted to reflect the character of a season through a blend of rare whiskeys sourced from across Ulster, Connacht, Munster, and Leinster.
Winter offers a smoky, indulgent profile with peated malt and festive spice, while Spring is light and floral with notes of pear, gooseberry, and elderflower. Summer evokes coastal warmth with ripe fruit and saline air, and Autumn delivers a rich, dessert-like experience with stewed apple, cinnamon, and toffee.
Each whiskey is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered, and naturally colored, with cask influence from Bourbon, Oloroso, Madeira, and Marsala barrels.
The collection is now available in the UK and Ireland with an RRP of £60 per bottle.
Savanna launches 500ml can for summer-ready sipping
Savanna Premium Cider has rolled out its boldest format yet with the launch of a new Savanna Dry 500ml can, delivering the brand’s signature crisp and dry taste in a larger, more portable format. Designed for South Africa’s vibrant summer lifestyle, the new can is aimed at consumers seeking convenience without compromising on quality.
Crafted from juicy apples and cold filtered for a clean finish, Savanna Dry is known for its distinctive toasted oak essence and refreshing dryness. The 500ml can format is lightweight, quick to chill, and ideal for outdoor occasions: from music festivals and rooftop sundowners to bush getaways and beach days.
“Savanna’s 500ml can isn’t just a cider in a new pack, it’s a cultural stamp,” said Kayla Hendricks, Marketing Communications Manager at Savanna. “With the 500ml can, we’re unlocking even more ways to enjoy the crisp, dry experience that’s made Savanna iconic… on your terms, wherever the vibe calls.”
Best served ice cold with a lemon wedge in the neck, the new format reinforces Savanna’s position as a go-to choice for spontaneous, stylish summer moments. The launch aligns with the brand’s continued focus on innovation and relevance in South Africa’s dynamic cider market.
Fhirst launches in the US
European gut health soda brand, Fhirst, is launching in the US.
The ‘superfunktional soda challenger brand’, founded by Catherine and Steven Van Middelem, perfected a blend of ingredients and probiotic micro-encapsulation technology for their drink.
Mother Design has given the US branding an overhaul: designed to blend soda cues with health and wellness cues with a voice that’s ‘punchy, playful and irreverent’. The drink comes in several flavors: including Pineapple Yuzuphoria, Orange Cola Joyride, Good Time Lemon Lime and Dr Cherry Happy Place.
Tropicana Essentials: Back to school
Tropicana has launched Tropicana Essentials: a new orange juice blend aimed at easing busy back-to-school mornings with a more affordable option. Made with a mix of orange, apple, and pear juices, the drink is a good source of antioxidant vitamins C and E, calcium, and vitamin D, with no added sugar. Available in three varieties - Orange Blend (No Pulp), Orange Blend (Some Pulp), and Orange Mango Blend (No Pulp) - the range offers a fresh, nutritious taste without compromising quality.
“Back-to-school season can feel like a marathon, and Tropicana Essentials is exactly what families need to start the morning strong,” said Tina Lambert, chief marketing officer at Tropicana Brands Group.
Tropicana Essentials is now available nationwide at major retailers including Target, Kroger, and Albertsons, with a suggested retail price of $3.89 for a 46-fluid-ounce bottle.
