Consumer demand for flavour-led innovation continues to shape product development, with brands tapping into nostalgia, seasonal drinking occasions and premium experiences to drive engagement across multiple categories.
Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages remain a major area of investment, as manufacturers look to capitalise on strong category growth and shifting social occasions. At the same time, premium spirits producers are exploring new ways to create differentiation and exclusivity.
Moderation trends are also influencing innovation strategies, with alcohol-free and lower-alcohol formats expanding across beer and broader beverage categories. Functional benefits are becoming increasingly important as consumers seek products that align with active lifestyles.
Beyond traditional retail channels, brands are focusing on experience-led marketing and workplace consumption occasions. From aperitivo culture to office coffee rituals, businesses are finding new ways to connect with consumers and create relevance throughout the day.
Edinburgh Cherry Bramble
Edinburgh Gin has expanded its RTD portfolio with the launch of Cherry Bramble, a new canned serve rolling out to Tesco and Asda stores UK-wide, alongside regional distribution through Booths.
The launch follows the summer debut of Edinburgh Gin Hugo Spritz RTD and forms part of the brand’s strategy to build a seasonal RTD range tailored to different social occasions throughout the year.
In the UK off-trade, cherry-flavoured RTDs are worth £8.1m, while the wider berry and cherry RTD segment generates annual sales of £95m, making it the leading flavour segment in the category. Edinburgh Gin is also one of the fastest-growing RTD players in the market, benefiting from continued momentum in the broader RTD category, which recorded 10.9% year-on-year value growth.
The 5% ABV Cherry Bramble combines cherry and blackberry liqueurs with soda and a twist of lemon. Inspired by Edinburgh Gin’s Black Forest Gâteau liqueur, the drink is packaged in a 250ml can and has an RRP of £2.25. According to Caroline Fox, UK Commercial Director at Ian Macleod Distillers, the flavour profile responds to strong consumer interest in cherry while offering retailers a premium option designed to drive engagement and trade-up within the growing RTD segment.
Optimum Nutrition ChampionSips
Optimum Nutrition has entered a new beverage occasion with the launch of ChampionSips, a limited-edition non-alcoholic brew that combines a traditional beer-style drinking experience with added protein.
Created in partnership with Wisconsin Brewing Company, the product contains 10g of protein from pea and rice, alongside 90 calories, 11g of carbohydrates and no fat per 16 fl oz can. It is available in four-packs priced at $14.99 via OptimumNutrition.com, while stocks last.
The launch coincides with growing consumer interest in products that support active lifestyles without compromising social occasions. According to Optimum Nutrition, ChampionSips was developed to appeal to consumers looking for alternatives that fit fitness-focused routines while still delivering a familiar drinking experience. The product is brewed with malted barley and hops, offering citrus and hop notes with a crisp finish, and contains less than 0.5% ABV.
Blind Summit Macallan
Independent bottler Blind Summit Whisky has launched a limited-edition collection of two 35-year-old Macallan single malts, created from a single cask distilled in 1989.
Based in Leith, Edinburgh, the producer has split the original cask into two separate finishing programmes, resulting in just 30 sets available worldwide. Bottles are priced at £1,250 each, or £2,500 for the paired set.
The release marks the first in a planned series of rare old malts from the company. One expression was finished in a Rivesaltes fortified wine cask, designed to enhance dried fruit and nut characteristics, while the second was matured in a Barbados rum cask to bring forward tropical fruit notes.
According to co-founder and whiskymaker James Zorab, the finishing process was closely monitored over more than two years to ensure the influence of each cask complemented rather than dominated the original whisky.
Sarti Stateside
Campari Group has officially launched Sarti in the US, marking the company’s largest-ever investment behind an aperitivo launch.
Already one of Europe’s fastest-growing aperitif brands, Sarti joins Campari, Aperol and Crodino within the group’s spritz portfolio as it looks to strengthen its position in the growing aperitivo category and capitalise on consumer demand for lighter, social drinking occasions.
Designed as a fruit-forward take on the traditional Italian aperitivo, Sarti combines blood orange, passion fruit and mango to deliver a sweeter flavour profile than many established aperitifs.
Its distinctive pink colour and “Too Pink to Care” positioning are aimed at consumers seeking a more playful and personalised approach to aperitivo culture. According to Allison Varone, head of marketing at Campari America, the brand’s growth reflects increasing appetite for bold, expressive drinks that encourage discovery and social connection.
The US rollout launches with experiential marketing activations in New York and San Diego, including oversized pink luggage installations, consumer events and a branded vessel sailing through New York City’s waterways
Old Speckled Hen Zero
Damm UK has expanded the Old Speckled Hen range with the launch of Old Speckled Hen ZERO, an alcohol-free version of its premium ale designed to meet growing demand for no and low-alcohol beer.
The launch is the first major innovation since Damm UK acquired the Old Speckled Hen brand family from Greene King in July and underlines the brewer’s commitment to investing in the long-term growth of one of the UK’s best-known ale brands.
The new 0.0% ABV ale has been developed in response to changing drinking habits, including the rise of “zebra-striping”, where consumers alternate between alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks during social occasions.
According to British Beer and Pub Association data, 2025 was a record year for the no and low-alcohol beer category, with 200 million pints sold and the segment accounting for nearly 3% of the UK beer market. Meanwhile, Drinkaware research found that 91% of drinkers are now actively moderating their alcohol consumption, up from 87% a year earlier.
Old Speckled Hen ZERO aims to replicate the original beer’s signature flavour profile, delivering malty notes with hints of caramel and fruit while containing just 12 calories per 100ml.
Nespresso Pumpkin Spice
Nespresso Professional has launched its first-ever Pumpkin Spice coffee blend for workplaces, bringing one of the most recognisable seasonal café flavours into offices as businesses focus on employee engagement and workplace culture.
The limited-edition blend is designed to help employers create moments of connection as workers return from summer holidays and settle into autumn routines.
The launch is backed by new consumer research from Nespresso, which found that almost two-thirds (64%) of Britons are looking forward to autumn, rising to more than 75% among 18-34-year-olds. Workplace coffee rituals are also playing an important role in office life, with 58% of employees viewing coffee breaks as an essential reset after the summer and 57% saying sharing a hot drink with colleagues is an ideal way to reconnect following holidays. The findings highlight the growing role of premium workplace amenities in supporting team cohesion and employee experience.
Created specifically for milk-based beverages, the Pumpkin Spice blend combines South American Arabica coffees with sweet pumpkin flavour and warming notes of cinnamon, clove and cardamom. The coffee can be served hot or over ice, offering businesses a seasonal addition to workplace coffee programmes.
