Beyond Meat launches energy drink
The plant-based company’s diversification continues
Functional beverages
New beverage launches: Malibu, Hebridean Cream Liqueur and more...
The latest launches highlight how brands are responding to demand for innovation, provenance and convenience - from RTDs and functional beverages to English wine and premium spirits
Caffè Nero and Myprotein launch new protein lattes
The move taps into growing demand for protein-enriched drinks, with the new iced matcha and latte containing up to 25g of protein per serving
Drinking beauty: Mashiro taps trend with collagen, GABA, and placenta
Japan’s Mashiro is expanding its beauty-from-within portfolio in South East Asia, targeting demand for collagen, sleep, and wellness products
Meal replacements may satisfy demand for satiety as well as convenience
‘Nutritionally complete’ drinks aim to provide consumers with all the nutrients they need. But they can do much more
The functional boom: 5 lessons for beverage brands
From taste and branding to habit-building and product positioning, industry leaders share five lessons from the fast-growing functional category
The Turmeric Co. brings HPP in-house with £3.6M investment
The health shot brand has bought the UK’s biggest High Pressure Processing machine, as founder Thomas ‘Hal’ Robson-Kanu predicts demand for minimally processed products will reshape the drinks sector.
Can functional beverage brands sell a feeling? The rise of social drinks
As consumers rethink their relationship with alcohol, brands are looking beyond traditional functional benefits
Coca-Cola Co’s new Topo Chico Colección signals a new era for sparkling water
From premium provenance and adventurous flavors to functional benefits and kids’ beverages, a wave of new launches is expanding what sparkling water can be, and the occasions it can own
Weight-loss maintenance: The next GLP-1 innovation frontier?
GLP-1 users want to maintain weight loss after they stop using the drugs
What are the major factors impacting flavoured alcoholic beverages
Flavoured alcoholic beverages including pre-mixed cocktails and flavoured ready-to-drink (RTDs) are not converting existing alcohol drinkers globally.
Huel ad banned by UK advertising body
The advert was seen as implying Huel could replace an entire human diet
Does Europe’s CBD market have a future?
A positive opinion from EFSA is the beginning of a regulatory shift, but it may not be enough
How a premium soda brand is growing without a functional pitch
Something & Nothing raises $6.4M to scale hyperlocal marketing and distribution strategy for its flavor-forward premium sodas in the US
AG Barr strengthens position in functional and premium drinks through innovation and M&A
Successful rebrands, innovation and marketing have helped to boost interim results at UK beverage business A G Barr.
Protein, coffee and convenience drive Chobani’s next phase of expansion
Health and wellness trends have galvanised demand for nutrient-rich foods, supporting sales expansion across key dairy categories. US Greek yogurt major Chobani is taking note
Walovi scales up SEA push as it targets global plant-based beverage growth
China’s Walovi has launched a Singapore global HQ while unveiling a new international electrolyte drink
Sazerac continues acquisition drive with takeover deal of Germany’s Berentzen Group
Sazerac, the global spirits company, is continuing with its acquisition strategy by agreeing to acquire German-based drinks company Berentzen Group.
Beverages dominate the fastest growing brands in US
Beverage brands dominate the US market’s 25 fastest-growing brands in 2026, despite a challenging year for overall brand growth.
Celsius clears PepsiCo distribution hurdles, confronts brand cannibalization risk
After a quarter marked by pressure on profits and sales declines for its namesake energy drink, Celsius Holdings resets its portfolio strategy around Celsius, Alani Nu and Rockstar Energy
Kendall Jenner to Tom Holland: Top celebrity-backed functional drinks brands
Celebrity-backed beverage brands are becoming an influential force, with stars lending their names and influence to everything from wine, spirits, beers to functional drinks or no and low products
Are legacy brands getting it wrong about RTDs?
Getting a share of the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) market is becoming harder and a famous name is no guarantee of success, the boss of a leading US brand agency has said.
AG Barr appoints former Sainsbury’s CFO Darren Shapland as new chair
AG Barr, the UK-based beverage business with brands including IRN-BRU, and Rubicon has appointed a new non-executive director and chair of its Board.
Soup-To-Nuts Podcast
Raising the functional beverage bar: Drinks are becoming more specific and creative
As consumers look beyond generic energy and wellness claims, emerging brands are creating drinks tailored to specific needs, from focus and calm to protein and recovery
India gives beverage giants 90 days to re-label energy drinks
India’s food authority gives beverage giants PepsiCo, Red Bull, and Monster until 29 September to remove “energy drink” label and alleged misleading claims
US Restaurant Beverage Trends: Drinks drive footfall and growth as Gen Z and millennials seek new flavours
Beverages are becoming one of the most innovative growth drivers for US restaurants, with consumers seeking new flavours, experiences and wellness, according to a new industry report.
Beyond accelerates plant protein strategy with Beyond Immerse retail expansion
Beyond, formerly known as Beyond Meat, is rolling out its drinks brand Beyond Immerse to locations across Southern California.
The rise of allulose: Can this rare sugar crack the clean-label challenge?
A patent and a lawsuit are drawing attention to allulose, so here’s what F&B needs to know
Could GLP-1 safety concerns affect uptake?
Reports of side-effects and deaths may complicate the success of the weight-loss drugs
From collectibles to drop culture: The trends transforming beverages
Innovation is central for any drink brand looking to meet the evolving expectations of consumers
Olipop unveils new leadership to support next growth phase
Olipop, the US gut health soda brand, has unveiled a leadership change as it prepares for its next stage of its growth.
Functional drinks boom, but can brands prove they actually work?
Demand for drinks promising everything from gut health to better sleep is soaring, but brands face growing pressure to back up their claims with robust science and regulatory compliance
Nichols eyes functional drinks growth with £64m purchase of VITHIT
Nichols, the UK-based soft drinks manufacturer, is to strengthen its position within the growing health and wellness category with the purchase of functional drinks company VITHIT for a cash deal of £64m.
GLP-1 beverage innovation outpaces regulation, creating challenges for drinks manufacturers
Beverage innovation in the GLP-1 space is moving faster than regulations, meaning drinks companies could be facing “significant complexity” new research has warned.
From food noise to alcohol cravings: The expanding promise of oral GLP-1s
As oral GLP-1s sweep across Europe and the US, research suggests they may do far more than curb appetite
Stress-relief drinks fuel next functional beverage boom
Stress-relief drinks are fast becoming one of the hottest categories in functional beverages, as consumers seek products that support relaxation, mood and emotional wellbeing
Functional foods: what’s the next big ingredient?
Functional ingredients are shaping product launches across food and beverage
Will the beef tallow trend come to Europe?
It’s taking off in the US, but will European consumers be open to the idea?
IFT FIRST
Protein’s single note is getting old – what is its next verse?
After years of optimizing protein concentration, ingredient suppliers are shifting the focus toward solutions that deliver broader benefits ranging from satiety and metabolic health to sensory performance and formulation flexibility
What are the top 10 functional beverage brands favoured by AI in the US?
Brands that embrace innovation are coming out on top in AI-generated recommendations, according to new research.
What are the six top innovations driving beverage development?
Beverage innovation is moving from ‘refreshment’ to ‘purposeful refreshment’ with weight loss medications and protein soda’s driving change, a leading R&D expert has claimed.
Pioneers
How Lullaa is taking functional dairy to the next level
Milk already boasts an impressive nutritional profile, but can it compete with kefir, kombucha and protein shakes? Four Leaves Co’s award-winning functional milk offers one answer
Protein claims are transforming dairy – and the numbers prove it
High-protein has become dairy’s most powerful growth engine. But where are the biggest opportunities?
US reclassification of cannabis opens new opportunities for beverage innovation
The US’s reclassification of cannabis under a “less dangerous” drug schedule is part of a broader trend towards legitimising cannabis production.
Protein Sodas are the new “whitespace” for innovation in US market
Protein sodas are set to drive the next wave of innovation in the US market, according to a new report from Mintel
Creatine storms functional drinks but can it really deliver?
As formulators race to stabilise creatine for RTD formats, the ingredient is moving beyond sports nutrition into mainstream wellness, yet evidence gaps and dosing challenges could shape its true potential
Target’s better-for-you food play is paying off
The retail giant is rethinking its grocery business and chasing consumer preference for healthier products
The functional beverage checklist
From flavour and functionality to fun: here are the five crucial areas every functional beverage must address
WALOVI taps food-as-medicine trend to grow in Saudi and beyond
China’s WALOVI is seeking growth globally in markets from the Middle East to Africa for its traditional herbal teas
Keep it simple: Why functional beverages are in danger of overwhelming consumers
With so many choices, could consumers be put off the category entirely?