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; which have real runway to grow; and where brands see the key white spaces in a crowded industry.
As we look towards 2026, which innovations are looking into the future? How do they illustrate up-and-coming trends? And how might we see them inspire further innovation across the industry?
Bloom Glacier Crush
Bloom Nutrition has released its latest flavor in the Bloom Sparkling Energy Line: Glacier Crush.
But what makes this flavor interesting is that it marks the brand’s first ‘concept flavor’, where the can imagery and name evoke a vibe (in this case, the ‘cool, invigorating feeling of winter adventures’) rather than a specific taste.
Bloom aren’t the first to do this (Coca-Cola’s creation series pulls on imaginative ideas like what the year 3000 will taste like or the ‘flavor of pixels’ in its gaming inspired drink; and of course Gatorade has Glacier Freeze) but Bloom’s entry as a better-for-you, lifestyle brand signals where flavor innovation in this hot category could go next.
Glacier Crush comes in at 10 calories per can with 180g natural caffeine, apple cider vinegar and prebiotic fiber.
The drink features runner and creator Brett Chody as the face of its campaign for the new flavor.
Coconut water sparkling cocktail
Claiming a first-to-market innovation, Florida-based beverage company Nirvana has launched a RTD coconut water sparkling cocktail.
By combining pure coconut water with premium spirits, Nirvana wants to carve out what it calls ‘functional indulgence’ – a concept that bridges mindful consumption and modern luxury.
The debut SKU, Chill, has ‘natural fruit notes, subtle sparkle and a clean finish’ and comes in at 5% ABV.
Founded by industry veteran Ingrid Smith, the brand is currently focusing on US coastal metros and will expand into resort and hospitality channels in 2026. It has its eyes on future moves into Caribbean resorts, Latin America and select APAC destinations: aiming to build a $25-30m brand by 2028.
Naked Smoothies ‘hyperfunctional’ smoothie line
Naked Smoothies is turbocharging its smoothie line with the addition of on-trend, functional benefits.
Its new protein smoothies contain 20g of plant-based protein and 40% less sugar than the leading fruit smoothie, with flavors including Double Berry Protein, Tropical Protein and Protein Pineapple Orange Smoothie.
It has also launched a fiber smoothie line: with drinks containing 9g fiber per bottle to support gut health and 45% less sugar than the leading fruit smoothie.
It’s also boosted its fan-favorite drinks such as Green Machine and Mighty Mango Machine with vitamins C, E, B6 and B12.
Smoothies are already loved by consumers as a healthy wellness kick: the addition of functional ingredients will help Naked Smoothies stand out from the crowd in an era when functional benefits are increasingly important to consumers.
Alcohol-free RTD canned cocktails
Driven by moderation trends, alcohol-free beer, wine and spirits sales are soaring.
But a key opportunity for innovation is to take these drinks into the RTD alcohol category: canned cocktails are already booming, and so carving out the alcohol-free space here is a natural win.
But what’s more difficult here is to create a boundary between what is a standard soft drink and what is a sophisticated, adult beverage for the alcohol occasion. UK non-alcoholic spirits brand Smiling Wolf and Seattle’s Pathfinder are both setting themselves apart here.
Smiling Wolf’s debut into the ready-to-drink cocktail category comes in the form of a premium collection of G&T, Aperitivo Spritz, Mojito and Negroni. Each variant recreates a classic cocktail profile: G&T with juniper and botanicals, Aperitivo Spritz with Mediterranean herbs and bitters, Mojito with fresh mint and citrus, and Negroni with a bittersweet herbal complexity.
Meanwhile, the 250ml cans feature the brand’s Feel Good Blend, a mix of L-arginine, L-theanine, L-glycine, caffeine and B vitamins, promoting smooth energy and stress reduction.
For Pathfinder, the key has also been to draw on a classic cocktail: in this case, with the Pathfinder Espresso Tonic.
The zero-proof, RTD collaboration with iconic Seattle roaster Caffe Vita is crafted with The Pathfinder Hemp and Root (a botanical zero-proof spirit) and Vita Cold Shot (Caffe Vita’s cold espresso extraction).
The effervescent release is a ‘refreshing take on the endlessly popular Espresso Martini’, making it ideal for evenings or as an energy boost at any time (one 200ml can contains 1 espresso shot).
