2026
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US Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Non-Alcoholic Beverages: 2026
2026-01-28T16:02:12+00:00
REP81AD3F79_2072_4699_AD3F_792072C69995
3695
190716
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Report
en_GB
Consumers continue to embrace non-alcoholic beverages as a low-risk, high-reward playground for flavor experimentation, driving ongoing momentum in the category. The desire to indulge and discover remains strong even as…
US
Drinks
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US Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Non-Alcoholic Beverages: 2026

"Non-alcoholic beverages are a prime category for flavor exploration, with consumers looking for trial opportunities that feel personal and offer enjoyment."

Sydney Riebe, Analyst - US Food and Drink

Sydney Riebe, Analyst - US Food and Drink

Consumers continue to embrace non-alcoholic beverages as a low-risk, high-reward playground for flavor experimentation, driving ongoing momentum in the category. The desire to indulge and discover remains strong even as costs rise; 38% of consumers buy flavored NA drinks specifically to treat themselves, underscoring that exploration and enjoyment are resilient in the face of economic pressures. This resilience positions flavored beverages as both a daily staple and a form of affordable luxury, making them a continued shopper destination despite macro headwinds.

Opportunities are present through targeted innovation and marketing efforts. Seasonal flavor launches and customizable beverage kits have successfully converted adventurous Flavor Seekers into loyal repeat buyers. Brands leveraging social and omni-channel discovery are tapping into a thriving DIY trend, with 32% of social media discoverers creating drinks at home. Packaging, especially in small, bold formats serves as a critical trial catalyst, bridging the appeal of novelty with the reassurance that even hesitant consumers need to explore new flavors.

This report looks at the following areas:

  • Factors impacting the non-alcoholic beverage market
  • How consumers are trying new non-alcoholic beverage flavors
  • How beverage customization opportunities can drive flavor trial
  • Global beverage discovery can introduce consumers to savory flavors
  • How strategic beverage packaging can work with flavor as a path to purchase
  • Product innovation and marketing in non-alcoholic beverages
Collapse All
  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Opportunities
    • Seasonal flavor drops can turn novelty seekers into loyal fans
    • Beverages can be the intersection of wellness and everyday indulgence
    • Graph 1: new flavor trial beverage features, by generation, 2025
    • Support at-home beverage creation, from scrolling to sipping
  2. THE MARKET

    • Consumers and the economic outlook
    • Market drivers
    • Costs of NA beverages and materials continue to rise
    • Graph 2: consumer price index for all urban consumers – non-alcoholic beverages and beverage materials, 2022-25
    • Sugar content and natural ingredients lead beverage purchase factors
    • Graph 3: important beverage factors, 2025
    • Consumers are eager to explore via beverages
    • Graph 4: beverage behaviors, 2025
    • Adherence to and awareness of sober curiosity continues to grow
    • Graph 5: trended sober curious awareness, 2023-25
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • How consumers are trying new non-alcoholic beverage flavors
    • Stakes of new flavor trial are beverage-dependent
    • Graph 6: willingness to try new flavors by drink type, by food and drink flavor segmentation, 2025
    • Brand trust increasingly important in the burgeoning beverage landscape
    • Emerging fruit and indulgent flavors present strong opportunity for first-time and repeat trial
    • Graph 7: interest in and experience with non-alcoholic beverage flavors and ingredients, 2025
    • Add-ins can be a differentiator for beverage discovery
    • Beverage customization opportunities can drive flavor trial
    • Younger consumers drive DIY drink culture
    • Graph 8: non-alcoholic beverage behaviors, by generation, 2025
    • Younger consumers look beyond refreshment
    • Graph 9: new flavor trial beverage features, by generation, 2025
    • Interest in first time flavor trial can cater to different comfort levels
    • Graph 10: [no title]
    • Coffee and tea have momentum for new flavor trial
    • Graph 11: trended willingness to try new flavors by drink type, 2023-25
    • Global beverage discovery introduces consumers to savory flavors
    • Savory flavors in beverages remain relatively niche
    • Graph 12: interest and experience with non-alcoholic beverage flavors and ingredients, 2025
    • Social media drives interest in global beverage flavors
    • Graph 13: interest in and experience with non-alcoholic beverage flavors and ingredients – NET – any interest, 2025
    • Social media beverage tutorials highlight global exploration
    • Strategic beverage packaging can work with flavor as a path to purchase
    • Packaging can sway tentative tasters toward new beverage flavors
    • Graph 14: new flavor trial beverage features, by food and drink flavor segmentation, 2025
    • Packaging elevates beverage appeal and enjoyment
    • Packaging that showcases flavors drives purchase intent
  4. PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • Product development – now – what’s trending
    • Dirty soda expands the impact of flavor, texture and mixability
    • Creamy flavors are already a hit in CPG
    • Cross-category indulgence shines in coffee
    • Coffee and coffee drinks with dessert-inspired flavors
    • Functional claims in beverages continue to grow
    • Graph 15: non-alcoholic beverage product introductions, by functional claim, 2023-25
    • Functional beverages in CPG with emerging flavors
    • Product development – near – what to watch for
    • New takes on classic tea flavors bring flavor and fragrance
    • Beverages can let consumers travel via flavor
    • Product development – next – what’s in the pipeline
    • Global umami flavors add satiety to beverages
  5. APPENDIX

    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Food & drink flavor segmentation
    • US generation groups
    • Abbreviations

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