Explore the latest innovation in the carbonated soft drinks in 2025 with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product development of the year across regions EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.
Key innovation trends in the carbonated soft drinks market are analysed and succinctly presented alongside Mintel’s consumer data and insights. So you can understand changing consumer demands and identify future growth opportunities.
This report also presents Mintel’s analysts’ pick of the most innovative launches in the global soft drinks market. Understanding innovation in carbonated soft drinks has never been so easy.
Meet The Expert Behind the Analysis
This report is written by Mintel’s Innovation Analyst, Mikolaj Kaczorowski. Mikolaj has 8 years experience working at Mintel and is responsible for analysing new product launches in food, drink and household categories, tying these back to consumer insights, and identifying emerging NPD trends.
Better-for-you and clean-label recipes continue to be key themes in carbonated soft drink innovation.
Mikolaj Kaczorowski
Innovation Analyst
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- What we have seen
- Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
- Other innovative launches
- The Future of Carbonated Soft Drinks: 2025
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EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)
- Europe: soft drink brands are tapping into the alcohol moderation trend
- Carbonated soft drinks are a popular alternative to alcoholic drinks
- Alcohol-free claims are growing in carbonated soft drink launches in Europe
- Graph 1: % of carbonated soft drink launches with the alcohol free claim, 2020-25
- CSD brands embrace the mocktail trend
- Fruit and botanicals feature in these alcohol-free soft drinks
- Europe: brands tap into consumer interest in more healthful carbonated soft drinks
- Consumers will pay a premium for healthier carbonated soft drinks
- Better-for-you claims remain niche in carbonated soft drinks
- Graph 2: % of carbonated soft drink launches with select claims, 2024-25
- Carbonated soft drink brands launch options featuring adaptogens, prebiotics and protein
- Brand renovation/innovation: Hella launches a range of functional soft drinks
- The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- CSD brands are diversifying the functional benefits they offer
- New locally made CSD launches in the region
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ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)
- Asia: the no additives/preservatives claim is declining in carbonated soft drink launches
- Carbonated soft drink consumers are avoiding artificial additives
- The no additives/preservatives claim continues to fall in carbonated soft drink launches
- Carbonated soft drink brands highlight the absence of additives and preservatives
- Brands celebrate using real ingredients
- Asia: fortification helps brands to bolster the nutritional appeal of carbonated soft drinks
- Consumers show a keen interest in fortified carbonated soft drinks
- The vitamin and mineral fortified claim is growing in the carbonated soft drink category
- Graph 3: % of carbonated soft drink launches with the vitamin/mineral fortified claim, 2020-25
- Carbonated soft drink brands are championing micronutrients
- Brand renovation/innovation: Asahi launches a range of functional soft drinks
- Australia & New Zealand
- CSD brands launch new clean label and better-for-you options
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THE AMERICAS
- North America: carbonated soft drink brands are tapping into functional benefit trends
- Functional claims appeal to consumers looking for healthier carbonated soft drink launches
- Functional claims are growing in carbonated soft drink launches
- Graph 4: % of carbonated soft drink launches with a functional claim, 2020-25
- Organic CSD launches highlight functional benefits
- North America: seasonal and limited edition carbonated soft drinks are exciting areas of innovation
- Consumers are keen to see seasonal and limited edition carbonated soft drinks
- Special edition carbonated soft drinks remain niche
- Graph 5: % of carbonated soft drinks with select claims, 2024-25
- Carbonated soft drink brands launch co-branded, seasonal and limited edition flavours
- Latin America
- Carbonated soft drink consumers have a variety of sugar and sweetener preferences
- Graph 6: % of carbonated soft drink launches with select claims, 2024-25
- Carbonated soft drinks offer consumers low and no added sugar options
What is 'A Year of Innovation' Report?
To truly understand a market, it’s essential to look at the products that are shaping it. Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports provide a detailed review of specific categories, focusing on the most notable product launches from the past 12 months. These reports are designed to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of recent innovation and its impact.
How We Analyse a Year of Innovation
By deconstructing the past year’s activity, we can provide valuable context for your current and future strategies. Here’s how we do it.
A Deep Dive into Product Launches
The core of these reports is a thorough examination of new products. We go beyond simply listing what’s new. Our analysis delves into the “why” behind each product launch, exploring the strategies, ingredients, and marketing claims that are driving innovation. This helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where the market is headed.
Powered by the Global New Products Database (GNPD)
Our insights are built on a foundation of robust data from Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD). This powerful tool tracks and catalogues new product launches from around the world. By leveraging the GNPD, we offer a complete exploration of innovative activity within your category, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and relevant.
Uncovering Trends and Consumer Shifts
Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports are designed to equip you with actionable insights into how to lead innovation in your category. By studying recent product launches, we can identify shifting consumer habits and preferences. These reports help you connect the dots between what consumers want and how companies are responding. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, allowing you to refine your own product development and marketing strategies with confidence.
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