Producers across beer, wine, soft drinks and functional beverages are continuing to diversify their portfolios, responding to evolving consumer demand for flavour, accessibility and cleaner labels.
This week, innovation is increasingly centred on format, production method and ingredient transparency rather than novelty alone.
English producers remain particularly active, with wineries and spirits brands exploring alternative styles and positioning as the category matures. At the same time, established global players are leaning into bolder flavour and higher-strength propositions to capture convenience-led consumption.
Health, wellness and sustainability also continue to shape new product development. Clean-label formulations, reduced sugar, fibre content and lower-calorie credentials are becoming standard expectations rather than differentiators.
Across categories, brands are also targeting broader drinking occasions, from by-the-glass on-trade listings to single-serve cans and everyday wellness routines, signalling a more nuanced approach to growth in a competitive market.
Vapoura B Corp
English rum producer Vapoura has achieved B Corp certification, posting a score of 91 and placing it among just 68 UK-headquartered alcohol brands to hold the status.
Awarded by non-profit B Lab, the certification assesses business performance across governance, workers, community, environment and customers, with 80 required to qualify. Vapoura’s score sits well above the global median of 50.9 for all businesses assessed.
Founded in 2024, Vapoura positions sustainability as integral to its definition of craft rather than an add-on. The Cornwall-based business has designed its production processes to minimise water and energy use, works with local farms to repurpose spent grain and raw materials as compost and cattle feed, and bottles its rum in glass made predominantly from recycled bottles. Plans are also under way to install wind turbines that could power the majority of production with renewable energy.
Vapoura produces all of its rum in England, selecting its molasses blend and yeast strain before fermentation, distillation and cask maturation, without importing bulk spirit or blending overseas rums. The range comprises two expressions: Chapter One Spiced at 38% ABV with an RRP of £45, and Chapter Two Gold at 42% ABV with an RRP of £50. The brand was co-founded by Olly Barkley and Ed Jackson, who previously launched the Millimetres 2 Mountains Foundation together.
Radnor Splash refreshes
Radnor Hills has expanded its Radnor Splash still flavoured water range with the launch of two new variants, Cherry and Summer Fruits, alongside a packaging refresh.
The additions build on an existing four-strong line-up of 500ml bottles and are aimed at sustaining momentum behind one of the UK’s fastest-growing brands in the flavoured water segment.
The two new flavours will be available in multiple formats to suit different channels, including 500ml single bottles, retail six-packs and 24-bottle packs for foodservice. As with the rest of the range, the products are made using Radnor Hills’ own spring water and natural fruit flavourings, and are positioned as low-calorie, sugar-free options for everyday hydration. Bottles are 100% recyclable and contain 30% recycled plastic.
Alongside the flavour extensions, the brand is rolling out a new premium look featuring colourful tethered crystal caps, designed to modernise shelf appeal and broaden consumer reach.
Everflyht Wylde
South Downs (south England) producer Everflyht Estate has entered the English sparkling category with the launch of Wylde, a multi-vintage Charmat-method wine developed in collaboration with viticulturalist Luke Spalding.
Founded by the Ellis family, the estate is positioning Wylde as a more fruit-forward and accessible alternative to the traditional method styles that dominate English sparkling, reflecting a broader diversification of styles within the category.
Made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, Wylde is designed to highlight freshness, aromatics and fruit purity rather than autolytic complexity.
Everflyht says the wine is intended to suit relaxed and sociable drinking occasions, with a particular focus on on-trade usability, including by-the-glass listings.
Wylde launches into the UK market in April 2026 with a trade price of £14 ex-VAT and a recommended retail price of £24. The producer believes the Charmat method allows the natural vibrancy of South Downs fruit to shine through while helping to make high-quality English sparkling more obtainable for both consumers and the hospitality sector.
Shock Top High Voltage
Tilray Beverages-owned Shock Top has expanded its portfolio with the launch of High Voltage, its first high-ABV double wheat beer.
Rolling out initially in Southern California before a wider US expansion from May, the new SKU is positioned to tap into continued growth in high-ABV singles, particularly 19.2oz cans, which led US craft beer consumer spending in 2025. High Voltage will be available in 19.2oz cans with a starting price of $2.99.
Brewed as an amped-up take on Shock Top’s wheat heritage, High Voltage delivers 9.6% ABV and is built around bold citrus flavour. The beer is made using real orange peel and orange purée, with the brand highlighting notes of orange candy, bright zest and a pronounced citrus hit, balanced by a smooth wheat body. Shock Top describes the product as an extension of its focus on bold, flavour-forward beers aimed at social and high-energy occasions.
Sinless RTDs
Sinless has entered the ready-to-drink market with a new line of vodka-based cocktails aimed at drinkers seeking full flavour with lighter credentials.
Launching US-wide ahead of spring and summer, Sinless Vodka Cocktails are positioned as a more balanced alternative to traditional hard seltzers, combining premium spirits with a lightly sparkling finish and lower carbonation.
Each can delivers 5% ABV with 100 calories, zero sugar and zero carbs, tapping into continued demand for better-for-you alcohol formats without moving away from spirits-based propositions. Sinless is made with premium vodka and targets a broad range of consumption occasions.
The launch range features four fruit-led flavours: Cranberry, Pineapple, Black Cherry and Peach. The brand’s arrival comes as RTDs remain a key growth driver across US off-trade and convenience channels, particularly among consumers looking for sessionable, spirits-led options.
Plenish protein powders
Plenish has entered the protein powder category for the first time with the launch of two plant-based Clean Protein formulations, extending the brand beyond dairy alternatives into sports and wellness nutrition.
The range comprises Madagascan Vanilla and Cocoa & Sea Salt, both positioned around a simplified, clean-label proposition in response to growing demand for protein products with fewer and more recognisable ingredients.
Each variant is made using just seven naturally sourced vegan ingredients, including pea protein, and delivers 20g of protein per serving alongside a source of fibre.
The powders contain no artificial flavours, preservatives, sweeteners or additives and offer a complete amino acid profile. Plenish says the formulations have been developed to balance nutrition with taste and texture, addressing a perceived gap in a market often criticised for compromise on ingredients or palatability.
