Flavour innovation sits at the intersection of culture and science. Innovators are constantly exploring the latest flavour trends: translating them into new formulations for beverage launches.
Flavour is tied to identity and storytelling: tied closely to the seasons or with collaborations with brands. And it’s a playground where brands can take risks, delight consumers and shape the future of drinking.
So what’s been trending in 2026 launches so far? Classics such as citrus, cola and fruit never go out of style: but fresh flavours and combinations keep excitement in the category.
In fact, 72% of Gen Z try new beverages every month, according to Keurig Dr Pepper’s State of Beverages 2025 Trend Report: highlighting the opportunity for flavour exploration and fan-driven innovation.
From nostalgia to newstalgia
Central to this year’s flavour innovations is ‘newstalgia’: that is, throwback sips with added adventure).
KDP’s new launches are headed up by Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut: a ‘decadently dirty fan-favourite’ of Dr Pepper with refreshing, summery coconut.
But then there’s also Snapple Two Hundred Fif-tea party: a limited-time summer blend of juicy raspberry flavoured tea with lemonade; and the 7UP Shirley Temple.
Meanwhile, Nutrabolt and KDP have launched ‘feel-good, nostalgia-rich favourites’ such as Root Beer Float; Peach Pineapple and Rocket Blast.
And gut health soda Poppi has recently brought a Shirley Temple to the space: a modern, low sugar take on the classic.
Collabs can help bring nostalgia to consumers: Talking Rain’s Sparkling Ice has teamed up with Life Savers candy to bring the nostalgia of classic candy flavours to zero-sugar sparkling water.
Coconut creativity
Coconut taps into the nostalgia trend: but also has plenty to offer in its own right. It’s refreshing, tropical vibes blend well with fruit, nuts and chocolate: making it an incredibly versatile flavour.
By no means a new flavour, 2026 sees coconut reach far across the beverage category with different combinations and ideas. Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut heralds the flavour’s potential in soda; in alcohol, coconut-flavoured rum Malibu is ready to lead the way.
Launched in January, Malibu Pink brings together guava, pineapple and coconut for a fresh twist to the rum aisle. Here, guava is the star: but with Malibu’s signature coconut for a tropical taste.
Maison Perrier, meanwhile, has launched its first ever sweetened sparkling water with prebiotics this month, called French Kiss by Maison Perrier.
Again combining coconut with a fresh fruit twist, mango coconut makes up one of the four debut flavours.
Watermelon wave
There’s no shortage of innovation in this juicy, refreshing flavour playground. A wave of watermelon launches have hit shelves over the last few months.
Bodyarmor’s first release of 2026 is Flash I.V. Caffeine Zero Sugar in Watermelon Punch, a new hydration drink flavour which launches alongside pineapple passionfruit.
And watermelon is a flavour ripe for combinations: take, for example, Waterloo’s Sparkling Water’s Melon Medley, which brings together sweet watermelon, juicy cantaloupe, and cool honeydew notes. Launched this month, the drink is now rolling out nationwide across the US.
There’s also Just Ice Tea’s latest launch: Watermelon Lime White Tea, which is a delicate white tea blend made with organic watermelon, cucumber and lime for a refreshing cooler.
Lavender love
Spring favourite lavender is finding its way into mainstream drinks: with a distinctive flavour and attractive colour for Instagrammable moments.
Back by popular demand after its 2025 debut is Starbucks Vanilla Lavender Flavored Coffee, which returns as part of the spring range. The drink blends vibrant vanilla with delicate lavender for a perfectly uplifting spring sip.
Available in K-Cup pods and Roast & Ground, it couples beautifully with Starbuck’s other lavender innovation: Starbucks Lavender Latte Inspired Oatmilk Creamer.
Costa Coffee, too, has launched a vanilla lavender iced whip latte.
Expect these coffee shop trends to make their way across the wider beverage industry in 2026.
With its association with sleep and relaxation, lavender is a strong match for functional beverages in these categories and a soothing flavour to help create moments of calm: something in strong demand from today’s busy consumers.
Dragon fruit flair
Giving a new edge to the tropical fruit category is dragon fruit (also known as pitaya or strawberry pear): known for its sweet, mild flavour. With dragon fruit comes a vibrant pink colour: again perfect for social media displays.
It’s a new favourite in hydration launches: Celsius has mixed the fruit with lime in its latest fizz-free flavour innovation.
Roar Organic, meanwhile, has released Dragon Fruit Punch: a new flavour built on an organic coconut water base.
Next-gen flavour innovation
But innovation is going beyond set flavour profiles as consumers endlessly search for something new.
PepsiCo’s sparkling water brand, Bubly, has launched a limited-edition ‘galactic-inspired’ flavour collection to celebrate Nintendo’s The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
The ‘movie-inspired’ flavours take our trending flavours and taken them further: Meteor Melon (an ‘other-worldly watermelon lime’) Cosmic Swirl (‘a galactic mix of vanilla and berry’) and Dragonfruit Stardust (‘an enchanted mix of pineapple dragonfruit’).
The new flavours are available in exclusive cans featuring colour-changing Lumas when chilled.
Also thinking outside the box is Chobani with Chobani Flavor Drops: each flavour drop represents a limited edition, one-time flavour with no repeats, bringing something unexpected to everyday coffee.
Inspiration comes from the fashion world: with each drop crafted to ‘spark curiosity, conversation and creativity’ – bringing something truly unique to each cup of coffee. Chobani debuted the series with Raspberry Rose (delicate floral notes with the juicy sweetness of ripe raspberry) this month.
