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Emerging Flavours in the Soft Drink Industry- 2023

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Suraj Chauhan
Emerging Flavours in the Soft Drink Industry- 2023

Sustainability and the production methods behind food and drink have been major trend drivers for several years, but that is beginning to change. Over the past 18 months, there has been a movement toward methods that emphasize flavour. 

In the wake of the Covid virus, when so many people lost their ability to taste and smell, it is more important than ever to place an emphasis on the sensual pleasures of eating and drinking. 

That's why the next big thing in the food and drink industry is going to be figuring out how to get the most out of basic soft drink flavours like sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. 

Some of the most important forces shaping the beverage industry, as we view it, are as follows: 


Sour and tangy 

Sour and tangy flavours complement many different beverages and can improve the drinking experience overall. 

Natural sources include citrus fruits and berries, while artificial ones can be extracted through processes like fermentation, pickling, and barrel ageing.

The development of numerous sour and tart cold drink flavors is made simple with citrus fruits. Premium soft drinks, sour beers, and flavored spirits can be made with citruses like yuzu, pomelo, and bergamot in 2022, expanding on the 2022 drinks trend for blood orange. 

 

In addition to wines, flavoured beers, and cordials, this trend can be accomplished with the use of elderberries, gooseberries, and blackcurrants. These edible berries, which can be found in woodland across the UK and include acidic and earthy flavours, not only promise bold future flavours but can also be homegrown, which is great news for those concerned with supporting ongoing sustainability efforts. 


Salty 

Salt is an essential seasoning for many savoury dishes, but it is also a welcome addition to sweet pastries and beverages. In 2023, salt will likely emerge as a popular seasoning, and its influence on food and drink will follow suit. 

The saltiness cuts through the sweetness of the cocktail and provides contrast to the bitterness of the ingredients. 

Salted Margarita glasses and delicious salted caramel milkshakes aren't the only examples of salt's use in libations. And in 2022, drinks made from salty seaweed or algae have already emerged as a trend. 

Seltzers, beers, and spirits that use seaweed have become popular due to the beverage's perceived health benefits and true sustainability credentials. Cocktails and soft drinks flavoured with seaweed may lead to a rise in the popularity of salty drinks in a year when salty food is predicted to be popular. 


Plant-Based and Flower-Based 

Beverage trends toward floral and botanical flavours will carry over into the new year. Sweet cold drink flavours will always be popular, as will premium selections. 

These ingredients are versatile enough to use in any kind of beverage, as they may produce both sweet and bitter tastes. 

Cherry blossom, hibiscus, and elderflower are all flowers that have found a home in the cocktail and soft drink industries since they add flavour, colour, and aroma. Botanicals like vanilla, ginger, or cinnamon, as well as herbs like mint, rosemary, or basil, work well with flavoured spirits. 

Gin, being an earthy spirit, pairs well with all of these flavours. It is becoming increasingly common knowledge that other spirits, rum in particular, pair well with floral and botanical flavours. These soft drink flavours could be employed in flavoured beers or ciders in the future to attract new consumers in other expanding markets. 

Flowers and plants, which have been shown to have beneficial health effects, will continue to be popular in the beverage industry. 

 


The stimulation of the senses 

The sensory experience of beverages will be expanded upon by other flavours in the future. Smoky flavour trends in drinks will stimulate our sense of smell, while hot and spicy flavour enhancements will stimulate our taste buds. 

 


Spicy and hot 

Hot and spicy ingredients, with their ability to enhance meals and drinks, will be a major trend in the beverage industry as well. Heat and spiciness provide sensations rather than flavours. 

All sorts of liqueurs, vodkas, and whiskeys can be spiced up with hot peppers and other spices for those who want "more is more" when imbibing. Tiki cocktails made with tequila, mezcal, rum, or gin benefit greatly from the addition of ginger, chilli, or pepper. Spicy ingredients like Japanese wasabi or Mexican habanero can be used in cocktails or beers, contributing to the growing trend of eating and drinking around the world. 

 


Smoky 

Ciders, beers, and cocktails can be infused with a smoky scent by using smoking processes or smoky-flavoured additives. 

Fruity cocktails benefit from the smokey flavour’s unique blend of sweet and bitter notes. Cherries have a woodsy and earthy flavour that, when smoked, creates a rich syrup that can be used to flavour beers or spirits. In the same way, smoking apples and mixing them with cinnamon and liquor results in a drink or cider with a deep, nuanced flavour.

 

If you want to learn more about new flavour trends or about existing flavours and fragrances follow us on our social media.


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Suraj Chauhan
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