Brands across beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks are accelerating innovation as consumers reassess when, why and how they drink – especially in alcohol.
No and low-alcohol remains a key growth engine, with producers focusing on flavour, food pairing and credibility rather than simple substitution. Mid-strength and non-alcoholic formats are increasingly positioned as deliberate choices for specific occasions.
Functional beverages are also evolving, with fibre, hydration and nutrient delivery moving into more accessible, everyday formats. Brands are targeting clear usage moments while balancing health credentials with taste and familiarity.
Alongside liquid innovation, packaging, sustainability and visual identity are playing a bigger role in helping products stand out on shelf.
From recyclable formats to bold design, brands are signalling quality, intent and modern relevance.
Talking Rain Sparkling Ice
Talking Rain Beverage Company has expanded its collaboration with Mars brand Life Savers with the launch of Sparkling Ice Life Savers Red, White and Blue variety 12 pack.
Timed for the US summer season and America’s 250th birthday, the pack brings together candy inspired flavours in Sparkling Ice’s zero sugar sparkling water format. The launch builds on the initial Sparkling Ice Life Savers rollout, which generated strong consumer engagement and social media demand for additional flavours.
The Red, White and Blue variety introduces two new flavours to the range, White Grape and Blue Raspberry, alongside Wild Cherry and Strawberry. All four are presented in Sparkling Ice’s 17fl oz tall slim bottle with packaging designed to echo the iconic Life Savers candy tube.
Capri Sun Hydrate
Capri Sun has entered the US functional beverage space with the launch of Capri Sun Hydrate, a ready-to-drink pouch positioned around hydration, reduced sugar and everyday functionality.
Rolling out to major US retailers nationwide, the range is priced at $3.49 per carton and targets families seeking more practical hydration options for busy schedules, outdoor activity and on-the-go consumption. The move marks a strategic extension for the brand as it looks to capitalise on growing demand for beverages that deliver added benefits beyond refreshment.
Capri Sun Hydrate contains an electrolyte blend and vitamin E, and is positioned with 50% less sugar than leading regular sports drinks. The product contains no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives, aligning with clean label expectations among parents.
The line-up includes Fruit Punch and Tropical Punch, alongside a new Lemon Lime flavour developed specifically for the Hydrate range. The product is delivered in Capri Sun’s signature pouch format, reinforcing convenience and brand recognition while supporting the company’s broader push into functional and better-for-you beverage categories.
Wednesday’s Domaine Low
Wednesday’s Domaine has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Doré and Boisé, marking the brand’s entry into the mid-strength wine category.
The two new SKUs sit at 6.5% ABV and position the company as one of the few wine brands operating across both no-alcohol and low-alcohol segments. Following four years focused on alcohol-free wines, the move reflects growing consumer interest in moderation without sacrificing flavour, structure or occasion.
Produced in Castilla La Mancha, Doré and Boisé are made by blending de-alcoholised organic base wines with full-strength equivalents. This approach is designed to retain mouthfeel, aroma and balance, addressing a key challenge in the low-alcohol space. Doré is a Chardonnay offering fresh acidity and rounded fruit, positioned for pairing with poultry, creamy pasta and soft cheeses. Boisé is a Tempranillo combining oaked and unoaked parcels, delivering gentle tannins, red fruit and subtle acidity, and aimed at food-led occasions such as charcuterie, grilled vegetables and slow-cooked meats.
Plenish Shots
Plenish has expanded its UK functional shots portfolio with two new launches aimed at growing consumer demand for targeted health benefits.
The brand, which holds the number one position in single shots in the UK, is introducing Fibre and Ultra Turmeric as part of its strategy to significantly outpace the wider category, where it is currently delivering over 53% growth. Both products has launched nationwide in Sainsbury’s stores and online, as well as via plenishdrinks.com.
The new Plenish Fibre Shot is made with cold-pressed ginger, lime and mint and delivers 5g of fibre per 60ml serving, equivalent to 16% of the recommended daily intake. With 96% of the UK population failing to reach the advised 30g of fibre per day, the product is positioned as an accessible solution aligned with emerging trends such as fibre-maxxing and fibre-layering. The shot is priced at £5.95 and is designed to help consumers increase fibre intake gradually, avoiding digestive discomfort linked to higher-dose products.
Bunta Beer launch
Bunta Beer has launched in the UK as the country’s first non-alcoholic Indian craft beer, positioning itself as a food-led proposition designed specifically to complement Indian cuisine.
Founded in October 2025 by 27-year-old Gunikka Ahuja, the brand is debuting with initial listings across London hospitality and retail, including Kricket, Aspen & Meursault, Vintopia Wine, East West Pizza and Londis N16. The launch reflects growing demand for non-alcoholic options that deliver flavour compatibility rather than acting as a default substitute for alcohol.
The flagship product is a 0.5% ABV citrus lager, brewed to be light, crisp and low in carbonation. Subtle citrus notes from orange peel and coriander seed are intended to cut through spice and refresh the palate, while mirroring flavour compounds commonly found in Indian cooking. Bunta is positioned as an alternative to traditional beers typically served with Indian food, which Ahuja felt were often overly bitter, heavy and gassy, detracting from the eating experience.
Glengoyne Signature
Ian Macleod Distillers has launched Glengoyne Signature, a new non-age statement Highland single malt designed to broaden the brand’s appeal in UK grocery and off-trade.
The release comes as Glengoyne continues to outperform the wider single malt category, ranking as the fastest-growing single malt brand in the UK off-trade among £1m-plus brands. The Highland single malt segment itself is one of the few areas of growth within Scotch, up 3% in a £66m market, according to Nielsen data to December 2025.
Glengoyne Signature is positioned as a flavour-forward, accessible expression that showcases the distillery’s naturally fruity house style at a more competitive price point. Bottled at 40% ABV, the whisky features prominent notes of crisp apple and vanilla, alongside pear and plum, with these flavours highlighted directly on the label to support easier navigation for shoppers. The expression is aimed at consumers seeking approachability and versatility, including for year-round whisky cocktails such as highballs and Old Fashioneds.
Captain Morgan Sliced
Diageo has expanded its Captain Morgan ready-to-drink portfolio with the launch of the Captain Morgan Sliced Colada Style Drink Variety Pack, bringing a tropical flavour focus to the premium malt beverage segment.
Now available at select retailers across the US, the new 12-count pack taps into demand for easy-drinking, occasion-led RTDs positioned around relaxation and escapism rather than formal cocktail moments.
The variety pack features four Piña Colada-inspired flavours: classic Piña Colada, Strawberry, Mango and Passionfruit. Each SKU is a non-carbonated, colada-style canned drink designed to deliver a bright, creamy and fruit-forward profile. At 5% ABV, the line offers a fresh take on the classic Piña Colada cocktail, aiming to balance sweetness and refreshment for casual summer occasions such as backyard gatherings, rooftop socials and spontaneous outdoor plans.
Sold in 12oz cans with a suggested retail price of $18.99 per pack, Captain Morgan Sliced Colada Style Drinks are positioned around convenience and flavour choice, encouraging trial across multiple variants in one purchase. According to Diageo, the launch reflects growing consumer appetite for simple, ready-to-enjoy drinks that fit seamlessly into informal social moments, reinforcing the brand’s strategy of extending Captain Morgan into accessible, flavour-led RTD formats.
