Beverage new product development is stepping into 2026 with a hard focus on alcohol-free.
As the health-conscious trend continues to boom, so too do new drinks launches aimed at quenching global consumers’ thirsts for booze-free beverages. Perfect timing for the internationally-growing movement that is Dry January, where consumers abstain from alcohol for the whole month.
Within the wider health trend, gut-health beverages, plant-based proteins and hydration solutions demonstrate how consumers are demanding more functionality from the beverages they drink.
Meanwhile, premiumisation remains core to any launch, especially when it comes to brands tapping into new markets.
But in this new tranche of new beverage innovation, flavour is king. From tropical RTDs and citrus-forward energy drinks to heritage-inspired blends and fruit-driven hydration mixes, it’s all there.
Citrus Freeze’s limited-time debut
Accelerator Active Energy has introduced its first limited-time flavour, Citrus Freeze. The zero-sugar energy drink combines a lemon-forward profile with a frosty grapefruit finish and is formulated to deliver sustained energy, enhanced focus and metabolic support through natural caffeine.
The drink contains 200mg of caffeine sourced from coffee beans and green tea, alongside plant-based thermogenics and cognitive boosters to support thermogenesis and calorie burn. The formula is free from taurine and is clinically proven to improve focus, attention and reaction time.
Accelerator Active Energy is NSF tested and NSF certified for sport, ensuring quality and safety for athletes and active consumers. The brand is backed by high-profile investors including NFL star Travis Kelce and gymnast Olivia Dunne, reinforcing its positioning as a clean, performance-driven energy solution.
Citrus Freeze is available through Amazon and selected US retailers for a limited time.
Crafty better-for-you soda
PuraSoda has expanded its clean-ingredient craft soda range with a new Ginger Ale flavour. The launch, says the brand, taps into growing demand for better-for-you soft drinks that maintain traditional taste while reducing artificial additives.
The new variant offers a crisp, lightly spiced profile with “real ginger warmth and a touch of organic cane sugar”. Each can contains 65 calories and is made with four ingredients, including real fruit extracts. The formulation excludes artificial colours, sweeteners, Stevia and other synthetic additives.
PuraSoda positions itself as a guilt-free alternative to conventional sodas, delivering the bubbles and flavour consumers expect without compromising on ingredient integrity.
Wild about pink pomelo
Wildwonder has introduced Pink Pomelo Limeade, a new sparkling beverage combining pink pomelo, lime and chrysanthemum for a citrus-forward profile. The flavour launched on January 5 and continues the brand’s focus on heritage-inspired drinks with functional benefits.
As with the wider Wildwonder range, the new variant focuses on gut-health support with the inclusion of one-billion live probiotics and 5g of prebiotic fibre per can. The formulation positions the drink as a functional alternative to traditional sodas, appealing to consumers seeking digestive health benefits in a convenient format.
Founded by Rosa Li, Wildwonder has grown and secured listings in major US retailers including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target and Costco. The company’s expansion earned it a place on the 2025 Inc.com 5,000 list of America’s fastest-growing private businesses.
Alcohol-free sauvy B
New Zealand wine major Kim Crawford is entering the low-and-no-alcohol category with the release of Kim Crawford Illuminate Alcohol-Removed Sauvignon Blanc. Launching in the US on January 1, the new product builds on the brand’s Illuminate range and responds to growing consumer interest in alcohol-free options, particularly around Dry January.
The Sauvignon Blanc has been developed over four years to deliver the crisp, vibrant Marlborough profile associated with Kim Crawford wines, while containing less than 0.5% alcohol.
Kim Crawford’s move into alcohol-removed wine reflects wider industry growth in the segment, which continues to gain traction among health-conscious and lifestyle-driven shoppers.
Hydration with punch
Laird Superfood has expanded its Hydrate drink mix range with two new flavours – Wild Berry and Tropical Punch – and introduced a Variety Pack featuring all five flavours in the line-up.
Wild Berry blends antioxidant-rich maqui, calafate and murta berries from Patagonia, while Tropical Punch combines a mix of fruits with real orange oil.
The Hydrate range is formulated with real-food ingredients and contains zero added sugar. Each variant includes Aquamin, a red marine algae that provides bioavailable calcium, magnesium and over 70 trace minerals, alongside naturally occurring electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Fruit flavours are lightly sweetened with monk fruit, while the Original variant contains only coconut water and Aquamin.