Our weekly round-ups cover the latest beverage innovation from around the world. Now, our monthly review is here to see what beverages are tapping into key core trends and have real runway to grow.
Two themes come out clearly this month. Sugar reduction continues to be top of mind: whether that’s in smaller pack sizes or new innovations. Meanwhile, brands are exploring the potential of the functional beverage category by pushing into new occasions and opportunities.
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Meanwhile, let’s look at five stand-out launches from this month.
Coca-Cola mini cans
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best.
Coca-Cola is bringing its 7.5oz mini cans to convenience stores as single-serve options for the first time, starting January 1, 2026. Previously only available in multipacks, the mini cans give a compact, portion-controlled format idea for on-the-go-consumption.
The move reflects shifting consumer habits towards smaller portions: giving consumers the chance to enjoy classics such as Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite as a small, permissible treat. And it also helps encourage trial for newer innovations: flavors such as Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry and upcoming innovation Coca-Cola Cherry Float will rotate into the line-up.
As Joel Bishop, President, Commercial Leadership, North America Operating Unit, The Coca-Cola Company puts it: “People want more ways to enjoy Coca‑Cola on their terms – whether that’s a smaller portion, a favorite classic or something new to try.”
The suggested retail cost of a 7.5oz mini can is $1.29.
Mini cans currently account for over 9% of sparkling soft drink mix in large stores, and Coca‑Cola aims to replicate that success in the convenience channel.
Trip and Goodrays expand beyond CBD
Trip and Goodrays were both early pioneers of the CBD category in the UK. And both are now expanding outside of this area.
This month, Trip has expanded into functional hydration with the launch of Magnesium + Electrolyte Powder: blending natural electrolytes from Himalayan pink salt and coconut water extract with magnesium, vitamin D and ashwagandha. Each pouch includes 20 single-serve sachets and comes with a free 3-month Calm Premium subscription (worth £40), extending Trip’s partnership with the leading mental wellbeing app.
Goodrays, meanwhile, makes its first foray outside CBD with Re:Focus, designed to support mental clarity and hydration. The new drink blends lion’s mane mushroom, magnesium, and electrolytes to help reset the body and sharpen focus: tapping into growing consumer demand for mental wellness solutions.
Each 330ml can includes 800mg of Goodrays’ fast-absorbing magnesium blend and 250mg of precision-extracted lion’s mane.
It also contains 530mg of a four-electrolyte mix to combat dehydration and cognitive fatigue.
Both Trip and Goodrays see the opportunity to go beyond CBD and explore the wider functional beverage category around the same wellbeing positioning. That’s the same strategy as Recess in the US: the brand - which has this week announced a $30m Series B funding round - initially launched around CBD but now sees 95%+ of its sales coming from the magnesium-based Recess Mood line and Recess Zero Proof Craft Mocktail).
Funky Buddha: THC Social Tonics
Alcohol-free drinks are hitting the mainstream: and it’s now hard to keep up with the volume of innovation in the category.
And yet, many brands still fail to fully think through the implication of removing alcohol: whether that’s its role in flavor, mouthfeel or functionality.
While a growing number of people champion the fact that you don’t need alcohol to have a good time, the reality is that many consumers still do turn to alcohol as a social lubricant and a key part of their social occasions.
Florida-based craft brewer Funky Buddha addresses this head on: its THC Social Tonics are a line of hemp-derived, alcohol-free beverages designed to enhance mood and social connection. The micro-dosed drinks blend Delta-9 THC and CBD for a functional feel-good experience.
Two core offerings cater to different occasions: Mellow Buddha delivers a gentle lift with 5mg THC and 5mg CBD, while Funky Buddha offers a more elevated experience with 10mg of each.
While THC, CBD and hemp remain tricky areas to navigate from a regulatory perspective, cannabinoids remain a promising area for the alcohol-free industry to explore.
Gatorade Lower Sugar
Sports drinks face a conundrum. While sugar is vilified across the industry, it does play a key role in quick energy release for athletes and sports enthusiasts.
Gatorade has full sugar products, zero sugar products, and is now launching Gatorade Lower Sugar.
The sports drink has ‘75% less sugar than Gatorade Thirst Quencher’. With the product not set to reach shelves until the spring, PepsiCo has not revealed the exact sugar content of the drink or what alternative sweeteners it is using (for comparison, Gatorade Thirst Quencher contains 21g sugar per 12 fl oz serving).
