Beverage Trends of 2026

Thank you for tuning into Flavorman’s annual 2026 Beverage Trends broadcast! Your Beverage Architects are live on the scene, eager to deliver the inside spill on what’s stirring in the beverage world. Over the past year, we’ve brewed over the news, distilled the fads, and tapped into our trusted network of industry insiders. Now, we’re pouring it out for you – our loyal viewers – one sip at a time. Without further delay, let’s uncork the Flavorman-crafted Beverage Trends of 2026!

In Past News…

Before we dive into what’s next, let’s rewind the tape. For years, Flavorman has delivered the internal scoop on the future of the beverage market. By keeping a keen eye on clients, consumers, and industry professionals, our reports have proven to be of the utmost reliability! In Flavorman’s Beverage Trends of 2025, we anticipated the rise of worldly flavors and low-ABV refreshments, both of which have since gained significant market share. We also stirred lively discussions about consumers craving clean ingredient lists and demanding more variety from their favorite drinks. After a tantalizing year for the world of drinkables, your Beverage Architects are thirsty for the next round of breaking news, and 2026 is already pouring in!

Flavors Pouring Into the Big Leagues

Let’s kick things off by covering the field of Flavor, where competition is heating up for 2026! In recent years, beverage brands have stacked their lineup with bold new flavor combinations that entice consumers with novel drinking experiences. However, according to the latest reports, consumers continue to cheer for classics such as lemon-lime, cherry, strawberry, vanilla, and orange. These MVPs have also embraced rising flavors like mango, which has been climbing Flavorman’s ranks year after year and will officially step into the league of all-time classics.

But don’t count the rookies out just yet; we also anticipate other unique flavor teams showing great potential in 2026! Watch out for exciting fruits like guava, huckleberry, and sumac berry, as well as decadent infusions like white cake, churro, and Huckleberry cobbler. While the fan favorites remain consistent, consumers will continue to push their taste buds into new horizons in the coming year!

The Wellness Season Downpour

Let’s turn to the ingredient forecast, where the 2026 outlook calls for strong gusts of wellness trends across the beverage hemisphere! Expect a steady rise in caffeinated alternatives to coffee and energy drinks, including cascara-infused beverages, yerba mate, matcha, and other functional tea blends. With more functional beverage projects rolling in, we predict this “better for you” front is only warming up, with innovations brewing on the horizon!

Meanwhile, the trend for zero-proof products, such as mocktails and non-alcoholic spirits, will continue to flourish. This “sober curious” trend has been gaining momentum for some time, but we anticipate the range of zero-proof products to diversify even further in 2026. Stay on the lookout for more innovative flavor profiles replicating the taste of traditional spirits, mocktails with added adaptogens, and even hemp-derived THC beverages!

Standstill on Regulatory Interstate

Next, we’re shifting gears to examine the regulatory road ahead in 2026! The 2025 landscape has been anything but traffic-free. Recent measures to phase out synthetic (FD&C) color additives have caused widespread congestion across the food and beverage industry. We’ve already observed this shift among our clients with a significant decrease in new projects containing FD&C colors. Expect continued rerouting in 2026, as beverages merge with consumers and avoid potential regulatory roadblocks down the line.

The hemp-derived THC industry, on the other hand, is also experiencing slowdowns despite increasing market success! States have been debating how to regulate hemp-derived THC products, which are currently treated differently from cannabis products sold in states with a legal market. And now that loopholes in the 2018 farm bill are set to close on a federal level, brands selling hemp-derived THC products must carefully navigate potential detours in the coming year.

Brands Spotted with New Strategies

Finally, we’re sharing the word on the street about how beverage brands will win over their drinkers next year! With economic uncertainty and teetering consumer behavior keeping the industry on its toes, brand strategy must be intentional, impactful, and unforgettable. The word is out: drink companies and their consumers will be getting closer than ever in 2026! According to our inside sources, consumers will put their dollars towards premium products, so long as they offer a convenient experience. Beverage brands have already been spotted promoting bulk unit sales, slipping into e-commerce feeds, and ensuring their products are available in every space they’re craved.

This tone shift is more than a one-time fad! In 2026, beverage companies will invest in their relationships with consumers by closely monitoring emerging trends and collective discussions. Ultimately, we’ll see more beverages prioritize human-to-human connection, transparency, and approachability. Consider it the ultimate rebrand: beverages that aren’t just sold, but celebrated!

Cheers to 2026!

And that’s a wrap on Flavorman’s Beverage Trends of 2026! We’ve mixed through the facts, shaken up the insights, and ‘spilled the tea’ on what’s to come. From all-star flavor lineups to wellness seasons, regulatory standstills, and beyond, the beverage industry is poised to have another sip-worthy year. From all of us here at Flavorman, thank you for tuning in. Remember that together, we can Change What the World is Drinking!