Functional beverages

KO Kombucha at the Probiota fermented foods showcase

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Kefir and kombucha going mainstream but science is yet to ferment

By Nikki Hancocks

The mass market is already convinced that fermented food and drink is healthy but the more mass produced these products become the less likely they are to offer health benefits, meaning consumers could lose faith, so better science and education are needed...

Bacardi goes ‘back to the bar’ in search of cocktail trends

By Beth Newhart

Bacardi is enlisting the help of 7,000 global employees to track new trends in cocktails and wider alcohol by sending them to local bars and restaurants. This year mindful drinking is expected to go mainstream, and natural, fresh ingredients will be at...

The Italian Way considers the US a ‘mature and conscious’ market for Italian beverage exports.

Italy eyes the US beverage market for health-conscious, eco customers

By Beth Newhart

American consumers are increasingly looking for products with a focus on simple, high-quality ingredients and sustainability. And a group of Italian companies believe their products are ready to meet these demands: with their drinks on show at the Winter...

HopTea craft brews non-alcoholic tea like a beer

HopTea craft brews non-alcoholic tea like a beer

By Beth Newhart

Hoplark’s HopTea brand replaces malt in its beverage brewing process with a tea base for a line of non-alcoholic beer alternatives. Its latest grapefruit variety mimics the radler style.

“We encourage people to get outside, so our packaging highlights a lot of northern California destinations.”

Surreal Brewing 'reduces the stigma' of non-alcoholic beer

By Beth Newhart

After just a year and a half in business, Surreal Brewing Company sells five varieties of alcohol-free craft beer out of northern California. They exhibited at this year’s Winter Fancy Food Show, sampling the latest release.

People tend to associate tea with health benefits, but that hasn't traditionally been the case for alcoholic tea drinks.

Loverboy launch grows the hard tea category

By Beth Newhart

Hard seltzers dominated the alcohol conversation in 2019, and there’s been an uptick in flavored malt beverage (FMB) launches in response. Loverboy brings a healthier option to the small but growing hard tea category.

“We’re doing so much more in DC than we were four years ago. We’re speaking up for common sense labeling regulations, lobbying for legislation to lower excise taxes.

Cider association rebrands and highlights dry offerings

By Beth Newhart

The United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM) was officially renamed to the American Cider Association (ACA) on December 31. It called 2019 ‘a year of resilience’ for cider in the face of flavored malt beverage (FMB) popularity.

Five premium tea trends to watch in 2020

By Maria Uspenski, The Tea Spot

The five significant trends for tea in 2020 all circulate within the general theme of phytotherapy, and support the general shift toward a more mindful approach in the health and wellness market, writes Maria Uspenski of The Tea Spot.

The Sans Bar x DRY 2020 National Pop Up Tour kicks off on January 10 in Seattle.

Dry Soda and Sans Bar partner for sober bar pop-up tour across the US

By Beth Newhart

A sober bar from Texas will take its alcohol-free drink partners and signature mocktails on tour to 15 cities across the US this year. It’s joined forces with ‘botanical bubbly’ Dry Soda in a shared mission to help people connect without alcohol.

Consumer appetite for hard seltzer is based on occasion and flavored refreshment, which has given the category year-round success. Pic: Getty/hiro-y

No end in sight for US hard seltzer domination

By Beth Newhart

US hard seltzer consumption is set to triple by 2023. But will consumers be able to support the stream of new launches? And can other global markets mimic the success of seltzer in the US?

Following a $10m investment in local businesses, the Chicago Starbucks Reserve Roastery opened to the public on Michigan Avenue.

World’s biggest Starbucks opens in Chicago

By Beth Newhart

The newest Starbucks Reserve Roastery is the company’s largest location in the world, with five floors and more than 35,000 square feet. It opens its doors November 15 in downtown Chicago.

A growing population, competition for resources and environmental pressures are changing the Indian consumer. Pic: Getty/Arindam Ghosh

Familiar Western megatrends drive India's beverage industry

By Beth Newhart

India’s economy is shifting to a strong middle class, giving rise to more premium, ethical and personalized products. Beverage brands are adapting to these trends similar to what’s popular in Western markets.

C-store beverages: What’s new at NACS?

C-store beverages: What’s new at NACS?

By Beth Newhart

The National Association of Convenience Stores has been meeting since 1961, and today the expo covers more than 400,000 square feet. The 2019 show was held in Atlanta October 2-4, bringing together retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and exhibitors from...

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