Innovation is rife in the non-alcoholic beverage market as companies are seeking to provide offerings that satisfy the evergrowing consumer demand for both healthy and convenient options.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the global non-alcoholic beverage market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2016-2024. Demand for functionality, decreasing alcohol consumption and nutrition awareness are all key factors aiding category growth.
FoodBev has provided a list of some of the most innovative non-alcoholic beverage releases in 2020.
Soft drinks
Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha’s Watermelon Bloom Kombucha
It’s out with the sugary pop this year as innovation in the soft drinks category is steered towards beverages that offer healthier options with functional benefits.
This decaffeinated watermelon bloom kombucha flavour is described as an “invigorating elixir” and serves to quench thirst with its hydration function.
Another example of a new functional drink released this year is Olipop’s Ginger and Lemon Sparkling Tonic. Olipop’s sodas are formulated with prebiotics, plant fibre and botanical extracts to support digestive health.
Aura Bora’s herbal sparkling water range
This year has also seen a number of naturally flavoured sparkling water line releases, ultimately offering a healthier alternative to sugary fizzy drinks.
Aura Bora’s fruit and herb-infused sparkling water line is sugar-free, calorie-free and sodium-free.
Joffer Beverage Company’s Jelly Belly sparkling water range
This Jelly Belly range is another example of sparkling water innovation that brings excitement to the category through unique and intense flavour experiences.
Made from carbonated water and natural flavours, the range is initially available in eight variants
The latest edition of FoodBev magazine takes a look at some of the natural soft drink products entering the market, whilst the November edition will feature a section dedicated to premium soda innovation.
Juice and juice drinks
PepsiCo’s Naked Lean range
2020 saw the launch of Naked Juice’s lower-sugar smoothie line, stating they created the range with “sugar-conscious consumers in mind, providing a healthier option without compromising on great taste.”
Low-and-no sugar juice options are set to see even more releases this year, one of which is Calypso’s range of light lemonades, which were debuted in early April, targeting health-conscious consumers.
Ocean Spray’s juice and cold brew coffee combination
This blend of real fruit juice and cold brew coffee was launched by Ocean Spray Cranberries in early 2020. Rizal Hamdallah, chief global innovation officer at Ocean Spray, said:
“Consumers are looking for natural ways to increase their energy, and Ocean Spray Brew provides an option to reap other health benefits while having their caffeine.”
This innovative offering brings together both health and energy and indicates functionality and wellness as key areas of growth in the juice category.
Tea
Little Miracle’s organic sparkling tea range
Back in May, organic drinks brand Little Miracles launched two new low-calorie and low-sugar sparkling ice teas across Europe. Described as the ‘perfect pick me up’, Little Miracles claims its drink offers the healing properties of ginseng and antioxidant-rich acai berry.
Ready-to-drink sparkling canned teas are proving to be a trend this year with other products, such as Rishi Tea & Botanicals’ range, also being released.
Fluent Beverages CBD-infused ready-to-brew tea
Tilray and AB InBev joint venture Fluent Beverages launched a CBD-infused tea – its first non-alcohol CBD-infused beverage in Canada, under the name Everie.
CBD and hemp-infusions have become a popular functional addition for many new innovations due to potential health benefits, such as reducing anxiety and relieving pain.
Another recent product example is Hollister Biosciences hemp-infused ‘Rebel Tea’ in California.
The March 2020 edition of FoodBev included a feature about cannabis beverages. To read more, you can purchase a single magazine issue.
English Tea Shop whole leaf range
English Tea Shop’s new range of Whole Leaf Tea boasts it’s most sustainable packaging to date. The new packaging and structural design is said to be inspired by the ingredients and vibrant colours of Sri Lanka – where the tea is sourced – and aims to highlight the brand’s sustainability credentials.
Coffee
Bottleshot Oat M*lk cold brew
The launch of vegan-friendly Cold Brew Oat M*lk, which comes in a ready-to-drink canned format, follows the introduction of Bottleshot’s original Cold Brew Black coffee in July 2019.
Cold brew has become a key trend for the coffee market recently with the global cold brew coffee market and it is poised to progress at a CAGR of 28% during 2020-2024, according to MarketWatch.
Many big brands in the coffee industry have observed this trend, such as Illycaffè’s launch of its first ready-to-drink cold brew coffee product in March 2020.
To read more about cold brew beverages, check out the June 2020 edition of FoodBev magazine.
Four Sigmatic mushroom ground coffee
Wellness company Four Sigmatic has introduced a gut-friendly coffee that is blended with functional mushrooms, probiotics and prebiotics.
Functional additions to coffee innovations are prevalent this year and mushroom has been a popular ingredient of choice.
For instance, 2020 has also seen the launch of Laird Superfood’s coffee with functional mushrooms and Z Natural Foods’ organic instant mushroom coffee.
Like tea, another popular functional addition has been CBD-infusions, such as Calm Drinks launch of CBD ground coffee and CBD cold brew.
Water
Evian’s label-free fully recyclable water bottle
Danone’s Evian bottled water brand’s new label-free, fully-recyclable water bottle is made from 100% recycled materials, with the exception of the bottle cap.
This new development forms part of the brand’s sustainability strategy and follows Evian’s announcement earlier this year that it has been certified as carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust.
Sustainability has been a key factor impacting innovation in the water market, as there has also been a surge in canned water products over single-use plastic, such as Radnor Hills water line in aluminium cans, with 100% recyclability, long shelf life and transport efficiency.
Bevi touchless water dispensing feature
This ‘smart’ water dispenser by Bevi can dispense still and sparkling water in a variety of flavours. The feature has been introduced due to concerns about safety and hygiene in offices and workplaces due to Covid-19.
Nestlé Pure Life fruity water for kids
Nestlé Pure Life recently launched a new fruit flavoured zero-sugar water collection for kids which aims to make drinking water a more exciting and flavourful option for kids.
Earlier this year, Tree Top released new drink pouches for kids that offer a blend of fresh juice concentrates and water, making this type of innovation popular for 2020.
For more innovation trend updates on the water market, be sure to check out the September edition of FoodBev, where we will be discussing bottled water.
Have you got a new beverage innovation that’s award-worthy? Enter the World Beverage Innovation Awards 2020!
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