Kombucha: Exploring the flavour - and functionality - of this unique drink
How can brands embrace the sophisticated flavour profile of kombucha?
R&D
New product development
New beverage launches: Gallo Cabana, Bruichladdich RTDs and more…
Premium spirits, functional soft drinks and reformulated juices lead this week’s new product development roundup
Does cultivated coffee have a future?
With pressure on conventional coffee production, coffee grown in a lab is one alternative that could ease demand
New product development
New beverage launches: Kool-Aid first, Absolut expands and more…
Protein-packed lattes, limited-edition sparkling wine and brand-led collaborations are leading brands into summer
New product development
New beverage launches: PepsiCo melted ice pop, Aqua Libra, Twinings and more…
From matcha energy, alcohol-free aperitifs and nostalgia, summer flavours are driving drinks brands forward this summer
From protein to prebiotics: 11 launches tapping into longevity nutrition
Brands are reformulating everyday foods with more protein, fibre and functional ingredients as consumers look to support strength, digestion and long-term wellbeing through daily eating habits
New beverage launches: Mid-strength spirits, Pink Lady tie-up and more…
Mid-strength spirits, functional hydration and heritage all play a role in this week’s beverage NPD round-up
Coffee’s cognitive benefits may act through the microbiota–gut–brain axis
New research from APC Microbiome Ireland suggests coffee-driven changes in the gut microbiome may relate to brain function and behaviour.
New product development
New beverage launches: Trip, Innocent, McGuigan and more…
RTDs, non-alc beer, sleep supplements and lighter packaging, it’s all happening for drinks brands in this week’s NPD roundup
New product development
New beverage launches: Fibre shots, Capri Sun, Captain Morgan and more…
Non-alcoholic beer and mid-strength wine, fibre shots, hydration pouches and flavour-led spirits are top of the agenda for brands
The ‘warming’ buzz for alcohol-free booze is finally cracked
Industry players, academics and researchers have cracked the code for better tasting alcohol-free drinks - in different ways
Functional drinks shift focus from body to mind
Functional drinks have traditionally concentrated on the body. The next frontier is exploring brain health, cognition, focus, stress-relief and mental wellbeing
New product development
New beverage launches: Patrón, Nestlé, Starbucks, prebiotic soda and more…
From functional sodas and iced coffee formats to high-proof tequila and design-led whisky, brands are pushing to capture new consumption occasions
New product development
New beverage launches: English wine, high-ABV beer and more…
From English wine and sparkling innovations to high-ABV beer, RTDs and plant-based protein, producers are pushing into new formats, occasions and consumer needs
New product development
New beverage launches: Nestlé functional, MOMO and more…
From functional soft drinks and alcohol-free fizz to culture-led RTDs and traditional mead, brands are responding to moderation, wellbeing and authenticity as they push innovation across the drinks landscape
Mood beverages: The ingredients spurring the category forward
Botanicals are the star of the show
New product development
New beverage launches: Diageo whiskey, mango beer, Creamsicle shake…
Brands across beverages are leaning into functional benefits, nostalgia and bolder flavour profiles as companies expand portfolios to capture evolving drinking occasions and consumer expectations
New product development
New beverage launches: Grey Goose Prada, Stoli RTD, Faccia and more…
Brands across alcohol, non‑alcohol and functional hydration are rolling out premium innovations, collaborations and reformulations that tap into fashion crossovers, natural ingredients and elevated at‑home drinking trends
Could beer byproduct help create better cultivated meat?
Brewers spent yeast holds the potential to create cultivated meat that better matches the mouthfeel and texture of animal products
New product development
New beverage launches: Matcha soda, Vita Coco, Aqua Libra and more…
From matcha sodas and coconut water to luxury rum, RTD teas and circular spring water, the latest launches show how brands are rethinking flavour, functionality and sustainability across the global drinks market
New beverage launches: Sanpellegrio, mid-strength wine, Aviation gin and more…
Brands across spirits, wine, soft drinks and energy are pushing seasonal innovation, category expansion and premium cues
GLP‑1 drinks take off as brands race for $3.5bn functional growth
From protein shakes to collagen coolers, brands are reinventing beverages for the GLP‑1 era and the race for dominance in this fast‑growing $3.5bn category is just beginning
New product development
New beverage launches: Red Bull cherry, Moth, Athletic Brewing and more…
New launches from MOTH, Nashi, Athletic Brewing, V8, Red Bull, AMC and Cure highlight flavour innovation, better‑for‑you positioning and the continued diversification of functional and premium beverage categories
New product development
New beverage launches: Nestlé, boutique whisky, Oatly and more…
A wave of new beverage launches is landing across functional shots, RTDs, mead and premium sparkling drinks, as brands tap trends in flavour expansion, better‑for‑you formats and elevated alcohol‑free alternatives
New product development
New beverage launches: Natural energy, 0% wine, Rhubarb Kombucha and more…
New launches from Momo, Bolle, Altamura, C4, Tenzing, Premium Blend and Saint James show how functional innovation, premiumisation and flavour exploration continue to reshape the beverage landscape
New product development
New beverage launches: Coca‑Cola Cherry Float, Rockstar and more…
Across alcohol, soft drinks and wellness‑focused hydration, launches this month highlight continued consumer demand for personalisation, nostalgia and sensory escapism.
New product development
New beverage launches: Absolut ft Tabasco, THC, new energy and more…
Beverage innovation is hotting up with a wave of new launches across categories. From spicy collaborations to energy entrants, it’s all here
How whey powers the next wave of innovation
The dairy by-product has turned into a billion-dollar platform powering biotech, biofuels and much more beyond food and beverage
New product development
New beverage launches: Mountain Dew, mushrooms and Twinings sparkling tea
From functional mushrooms and gut‑health postbiotics to tropical rums, mineral‑rich sparkling waters and design‑led Dry January serves. Here are the new beverage innovations
How BuzzBallz became Gen Z’s global RTD obsession
BuzzBallz has become Gen Z’s go‑to party prop, fusing bold flavours, playful design and recession‑proof pricing to rewrite the rules of ready‑to‑drink cocktails
New product development
New beverage launches: Elton John 0% wine, Molson stout and more…
From bold new stouts and alcohol-free sparkling wines to functional hydration and high-protein dairy, January has seen a wave of innovation across beverage categories
How F&B can tackle water scarcity
Water is a vital part of food production
How the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines are shifting America’s plate – and sparking debate
The newest Dietary Guidelines emphasize whole foods, protein and animal fats – a shift praised by some experts as overdue, but others warn the report is retro and insufficient
Pecana brings traceable, organic pecan milk to market
The female-led brand is carving out a premium niche as the first certified organic pecan milk, combining farm-to-fridge traceability with a clean-label recipe
Up The Food Chain
What’s brewing at Heineken? Behind the scenes with the R&D chief
Hubert te Braake already had the dream job: as director of research and development at Heineken, he’s tasked with creating the world’s next big brews. Now he’s been given a shiny new €45m ($53m) lab to do it from
As cocoa chaos continues, Kokomodo finds its moment
Why ‘climate-proof’ cacao start-up Kokomodo is hedging its bets on an increasingly stronger future for cell cultured cocoa
How Asahi got Japan hooked on yeast-based milk
The maker of Asahi Super Dry released a unique plant-based drink – and took the Japanese market by storm
Opinion: The snackdown
UPFs enter a new phase of scrutiny in 2026
Ultra-processed foods have been debated endlessly. In 2026, they’re being regulated anyway and food makers are discovering that definitions matter far less once policy gets involved
Exclusive: Can biotech break monk fruit’s supply constraints? Manus thinks so
As demand for natural sweeteners grows, Manus moves monk fruit production in the US
Better-for-you claims in the crosshairs: Advertising watchdog scrutinizes health claims
National Advertising Division cases shine light on marketing missteps, making the case for food and beverage brands to rethink health-focused advertising
Five ways GLP-1 drugs are shaping the beverage industry
Soda sales are taking a hit; but functional beverages are booming
Koppie: The Belgian coffee alternative brewing up a ‘moonshot’
Discover how Belgian start-up Koppie is brewing a low-carbon alternative to coffee beans, without compromising on taste or ritual
How protein turned from trend to necessity
Protein fortification continues to dominate the food and beverage space – but how is ingredient innovation evolving to meet the need for more protein?
Monster Beverage energizes growth through innovation that reinforces, not replaces what consumers love
By pairing fan favorites with innovative new products, Monster expands occasions, recruits new consumers, and protects its core amid industry-wide unit declines
World-first barista milk without cows hits the market
A biotech firm has released barista-style milk that’s cow-free and dairy-identical. Can the product make it with consumers?
Yuka brings aspartame fight to the US
Report calls for ban on ingredient found in thousands of common food and beverage products
Both sugary and sweetened drinks increase liver disease risk
Sweetened drinks are linked to an even greater risk of liver disease than their sugary counterparts
Bringing flavor to the front of alcohol-free innovation
Consumers want to drink less and that’s opening up the market for alcohol-free products. But at the end of the day, it’s flavor that will determine whether consumers come back to alcohol-free beverages and become loyal fans… or not
Microbiome science meets business: Probiota returns in 2026
With a wealth of content on functional food, beverage and supplements, the leading event for microbiome science is back in February
Could grapevines hold the key to creating biodegradable packaging?
Old grapevine canes could be converted into a plastic-like film that is stronger than traditional plastic and decomposes quickly