When you are in the food and drink business, trends are always something to watch out for. They are expert predictions about what is to come and can help you plan new products, offers and seasonal specials. So what are the experts saying about drinks trends for 2019?
Gut health boosts
As consumers become more aware of the connection between what they eat and drink and how their body works, drinks with clear benefits are gaining popularity. One example is those that boost gut health. Kombucha, kefir and other fermented drinks have already established themselves alongside yoghurt drinks with ‘good bacteria’ – prebiotics and probiotics are going to be important for some areas of the drinks market.
Old and new fruit flavours
While there is always a thirst for something new, there’s strong evidence that the traditional fruit flavours will remain popular next year. So that means your orange juice, lemonade and citrus flavoured drinks are all going to be popular and you can also add things like blood orange, yuzu, different types of lime and Meyer lemon to your range.
Sour flavours
Maybe it is all the hype about the dangers of sugar or that people are simply looking for something different but sour drinks are one of the top predictions for trends in 2019. One example of this is kombucha which is a fermented drink with a tangy taste and a lot of health benefits that was one of the growing trends in 2018 and continues into next year. Classic fruit flavours such as apple and pear as well as sour cherry can also do well under this trend.
Mocktails and low alcohol drinks
More people than ever are opting for alcohol-free or low alcohol options and that’s one that drinks suppliers can really embrace. For example, if you work with a juice supplier to provide a range of juice flavours and sodas as bases for these drinks, you could definitely be onto something. One report said that 67% of consumers in the US were more likely to drink something like this than a 100% fruit juice - and what happens in the US often happens over here.
Sparkling water
When companies like Pepsi create a new product in an area, there’s a good chance there’s a lot of demand for it. Their new product ‘Bubly’ is a sparkling water in eight flavours that has no sweeteners or calories. This satisfies the urge for something bubbly but also helps to keep down sugar levels. Creating flavoured sparkling water, therefore, looks like an interesting option for 2019. Look for both traditional flavours and new twists that will catch the eye.
Functional water
Alongside sparkling, the other water trend is known as functional water. This just means that there’s something in the water that brings a benefit aside from just simple hydration. Including vitamins, minerals, herbs and fruit juice concentrate are all examples, many of which are familiar. Others are more complex such as increasing the hydrogen content in the water to counter inflammation or adding spices, oils or other flavourings to combat specific health issues or wellness topics.
Cold brew and iced coffee
Cold brew and iced coffee drinks are no longer just limited to the warmer months. With many cafes and coffee shops not stocking the equipment to make these drinks, retailers offering ready to go options or products to make up at home can definitely satisfy the consumer’s urge. From straight black iced coffee to drinks with flavours like vanilla or even added nitrogen for a creamy texture there are plenty of ideas out there and room to develop something a little different within this trend.
If you want to discuss your new drink product or drinks ranges with us, do not hesitate to contact our friendly team. We would love to help you get your new product ideas off the ground.
Gut health boosts
As consumers become more aware of the connection between what they eat and drink and how their body works, drinks with clear benefits are gaining popularity. One example is those that boost gut health. Kombucha, kefir and other fermented drinks have already established themselves alongside yoghurt drinks with ‘good bacteria’ – prebiotics and probiotics are going to be important for some areas of the drinks market.
Old and new fruit flavours
While there is always a thirst for something new, there’s strong evidence that the traditional fruit flavours will remain popular next year. So that means your orange juice, lemonade and citrus flavoured drinks are all going to be popular and you can also add things like blood orange, yuzu, different types of lime and Meyer lemon to your range.
Sour flavours
Maybe it is all the hype about the dangers of sugar or that people are simply looking for something different but sour drinks are one of the top predictions for trends in 2019. One example of this is kombucha which is a fermented drink with a tangy taste and a lot of health benefits that was one of the growing trends in 2018 and continues into next year. Classic fruit flavours such as apple and pear as well as sour cherry can also do well under this trend.
Mocktails and low alcohol drinks
More people than ever are opting for alcohol-free or low alcohol options and that’s one that drinks suppliers can really embrace. For example, if you work with a juice supplier to provide a range of juice flavours and sodas as bases for these drinks, you could definitely be onto something. One report said that 67% of consumers in the US were more likely to drink something like this than a 100% fruit juice - and what happens in the US often happens over here.
Sparkling water
When companies like Pepsi create a new product in an area, there’s a good chance there’s a lot of demand for it. Their new product ‘Bubly’ is a sparkling water in eight flavours that has no sweeteners or calories. This satisfies the urge for something bubbly but also helps to keep down sugar levels. Creating flavoured sparkling water, therefore, looks like an interesting option for 2019. Look for both traditional flavours and new twists that will catch the eye.
Functional water
Alongside sparkling, the other water trend is known as functional water. This just means that there’s something in the water that brings a benefit aside from just simple hydration. Including vitamins, minerals, herbs and fruit juice concentrate are all examples, many of which are familiar. Others are more complex such as increasing the hydrogen content in the water to counter inflammation or adding spices, oils or other flavourings to combat specific health issues or wellness topics.
Cold brew and iced coffee
Cold brew and iced coffee drinks are no longer just limited to the warmer months. With many cafes and coffee shops not stocking the equipment to make these drinks, retailers offering ready to go options or products to make up at home can definitely satisfy the consumer’s urge. From straight black iced coffee to drinks with flavours like vanilla or even added nitrogen for a creamy texture there are plenty of ideas out there and room to develop something a little different within this trend.
If you want to discuss your new drink product or drinks ranges with us, do not hesitate to contact our friendly team. We would love to help you get your new product ideas off the ground.
