Health and wellness remain key growth drivers across the soft drinks category, with brands increasingly focusing on added functionality, natural ingredients and clearer health credentials. Consumer demand for products that deliver benefits beyond simple refreshment continues to shape new product development.
At the same time, flavour innovation may be slightly fizzling out as manufacturers compete for attention on crowded retail fixtures.
Within this, distinctive fruit combinations and globally inspired ingredients are helping brands attract shoppers looking for something new.
Increasingly, functional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics and prebiotics are continuing to gain traction, reflecting growing interest in digestive health, wellbeing and everyday nutrition. These trends are particularly resonant among younger consumers seeking convenient wellness solutions.
Pulp Piña Colada
Herefordshire, UK, cider producer Pulp Cider has expanded its permanent range with the launch of a Piña Colada-flavoured cider, tapping into growing consumer interest in tropical and cocktail-inspired drinks.
The new variant combines rum-style notes with pineapple and coconut flavours, delivering a lightly sparkling cider with a smooth, sweet finish. The company points to the continued popularity of the Piña Colada cocktail in the UK, where it ranks among the country’s top cocktail choices and is helping drive growth in the ready-to-drink cocktail category. The launch aims to bring those familiar tropical flavours into the cider aisle in an accessible, easy-drinking format.
Pulp Cider produces its ciders at the family-owned farm in Herefordshire, with all products made “pip to pint” within a five-mile radius. The business draws on seven generations of farming experience and positions its range around locally sourced production and independent cider making.
The new Piña Colada cider joins the brand’s permanent portfolio and is available through the company’s website and selected independent retailers across the UK. Recommended retail pricing is £2.79-£2.99 per bottle.
Signature Lager
Signature Brew has partnered with Groove Armada and regenerative farming business Wildfarmed to launch Do It Right, a Czech-style pale lager rolling out exclusively in Waitrose stores UK-wide.
The collaboration brings together the London-based independent brewery, electronic music duo Groove Armada and Wildfarmed’s regenerative agriculture network, reflecting growing interest in products that combine sustainability credentials with strong consumer appeal.
Brewed with Wildfarmed’s regeneratively farmed malted barley, the 5% ABV lager is positioned as a modern take on the Czech-style pale lager category. The beer offers notes of fresh bread, floral hops and subtle spice, alongside biscuit and honey flavours balanced by herbal hop character and a clean bitterness. The launch aims to showcase how regenerative ingredients can be incorporated into mainstream beer production while supporting farming practices focused on soil health, biodiversity, water quality and carbon reduction.
For Signature Brew, the launch extends its long-running strategy of connecting beer and music culture through artist collaborations, while adding a sustainability-led dimension.
Bullards Pouches
Bullards Spirits has partnered with fellow East Anglian drinks producer Edmunds Cocktails in the UK to launch a range of ready-to-serve cocktails in 70cl recyclable pouches, targeting pubs, bars and retailers looking for convenient, sustainable cocktail solutions.
The new line marks Bullards’ latest move to expand beyond spirits and taps into growing demand for premium pre-mixed cocktails that reduce preparation time while maintaining quality.
The range comprises three cocktails, each delivering seven 100ml serves per pouch. Strawberry Clover Club (15.1% ABV) combines Bullards Strawberry & Black Pepper Gin with strawberry liqueur, lemon and sugar cane, offering a modern take on the classic cocktail. Nelson’s Bloody Storm (21.25% ABV) is built around Bullards Nelson’s Blood Orange Spiced Rum, blended with ginger and lime, while Coastal Negroni (20% ABV) uses Bullards Coastal Gin alongside sweet vermouth and bitters for a Norfolk-inspired twist on the Italian aperitif favourite.
Bullards says the fully recyclable pouch format supports its efforts to reduce environmental impact while offering operators a practical, easy-pour alternative to traditional bottled cocktails. Available nationwide through the on-trade and retail channels, the range carries an RRP of £35 per 70cl pouch and is also available via the brands’ direct-to-consumer websites.
Kocktail Glass
Premium RTD cocktail specialist Kocktail is expanding its range with the launch of Kocktail Glass, a new ready-to-drink format designed to bring a more premium cocktail experience to consumers at home.
Launching in the UK this August, the range features pre-mixed cocktails served in reusable glass vessels rather than the cans and bottles that dominate the category, offering retailers a point of difference in the fast-growing RTD market.
The launch comes as premiumisation continues to shape consumer purchasing habits, with shoppers increasingly seeking higher-quality serves, recognised spirits and indulgent drinking occasions. Kocktail has built the range using premium brands including Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon, Hepple Gin, Asterley Bros and Cazcabel, allowing consumers to access high-end cocktail experiences without the expense of purchasing full-sized bottles. The reusable glass format also responds to growing interest in sustainability and is exempt from the UK’s forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme for single-use drinks containers.
Available in 100ml serves with an RSP of £7.50, the initial line-up includes three classic cocktails: Negroni, Old Fashioned and Margarita. Each serve is designed to deliver a standard cocktail portion, requiring only ice and garnish before serving.
Skip Magnesium
Functional drinks brand Skip is expanding its portfolio with the launch of a new magnesium-enhanced range, building on the success of its CBD and Lion’s Mane products.
Available in Berry & Cherry and Kiwi & Lime variants, the lightly sparkling drinks are designed to meet growing consumer demand for beverages that offer benefits beyond hydration, particularly among younger, health-conscious shoppers seeking convenient wellness solutions.
Each 250ml can contains 188mg of magnesium alongside vitamins B6 and D, providing 50% of the recommended daily intake. The launch reflects increasing interest in functional ingredients associated with wellbeing, with magnesium linked to muscle function, relaxation, sleep quality and energy metabolism.
Developed in conjunction with scientific researchers from the University of Oxford, the vegan-friendly drinks contain no added sugar and are positioned as an accessible option for a variety of consumption occasions, from post-workout refreshment to alcohol alternatives.
The new range follows the national rollout of Skip’s CBD collection and the addition of Lion’s Mane-infused drinks earlier this year. Available at an RRP of £1.99, Skip Magnesium is launching nationwide through Home Bargains, as well as the brand’s direct-to-consumer channels.
Aqua Libra Peach & Kiwi
Flavoured sparkling water brand Aqua Libra has expanded its range with the launch of Peach & Kiwi, a new flavour pairing designed to capitalise on growing demand for healthier and more adventurous soft drink options.
The latest addition will be available in the UK through Ocado, Amazon and the brand’s direct-to-consumer website.
The launch comes as the UK flavoured water category reaches £474m, with sparkling water cans now worth £36m RSV. Consumer demand continues to be driven by interest in sugar-free and low-calorie beverages, while flavour innovation remains an important tool for brands looking to attract new shoppers.
Aqua Libra has built its portfolio around distinctive combinations including Blood Orange & Mango, Cucumber Mint & Lime, Raspberry & Blackcurrant and Watermelon & Strawberry, all formulated without sugar, sweeteners, calories or artificial ingredients.
Wildwonder Apple Yuzu
US functional drinks brand Wildwonder has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Apple Yuzu, a new prebiotic and probiotic sparkling beverage that combines Honeycrisp apple, yuzu and shiso leaf.
Rolling out ahead of the autumn season, the flavour is designed to tap into growing consumer interest in globally inspired ingredients and gut health-focused beverages, while continuing the brand’s botanical-led approach to product development.
The new variant pairs the familiarity of apple with the floral, citrus character of yuzu, a fruit widely used in Japanese cuisine, alongside shiso leaf, an herb traditionally associated with digestive support.
Each can contains one billion live probiotics and 5g of prebiotic fibre sourced from plants, while remaining USDA Organic, caffeine-free and relatively low in sugar and calories, with 6g of sugar and 40 calories per serving. The launch reflects continued innovation within the functional drinks category, where products offering digestive health benefits remain a key area of growth.
